LIASA Higher Education Libraries Interest Group: [Lib-helig-l] ACRL Releases Value of Academic Libraries Report

FYI

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael Dowling <mdowling@ala.org>
Date: Wed, Sep 15, 2010 at 4:05 PM
Subject: [IFLA-L] ACRL Releases Value of Academic Libraries Report
To: ifla-l@infoserv.inist.fr

ACRL releases Value of Academic Libraries Report

CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
announces the release of "Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive
Research Review and Report." Developed for ACRL by Megan Oakleaf of
the iSchool at Syracuse University, this valuable resource reviews the
quantitative and qualitative literature, methodologies and best
practices currently in place for demonstrating the value of academic
libraries. The full report, along with supplemental materials, is
available online at http://www.acrl.ala.org/value/.

Increasing recognition of the value of libraries and librarians by
leaders in higher education, information technology, funding agencies
and campus decision makers is one of ACRL's six strategic priorities.
Recognizing the sense of urgency around this issue, the report is
intended to help academic librarians participate in the conversation
and to identify resources to support them in demonstrating the value
of academic libraries in clear, measurable ways.

"This report presents the vision and the reality of the value of
academic libraries and their contributions to institutional goals and
outcomes," said ACRL President Lisa Hinchliffe of the University of
Illinois at Urbana - Champaign. "Through it, we have a shared
knowledge base for the association and our members as we pursue this
strategic priority."

The primary objective of this comprehensive review is to provide
academic librarians and institutional leaders with a clearer
understanding of what research about the performance of academic
libraries already exists and where gaps in this research occur. The
report additionally identifies the most promising best practices and
measures correlated to performance and represents a starting point to
assist college, university and community college librarians in
gathering evidence to tell the story of their libraries and promote
dialogue on the value of the academic library in higher education.

"Documenting the evidence we have for the impact of academic libraries
on student, faculty and institutional success will enable library
leaders to respond proactively to calls for accountability and return
on investment. Identifying the gaps charts a path for the data we need
to gather and analyze," explained Hinchliffe. "In the coming months,
ACRL will be turning its attention to strategies for pursuing the
research agenda recommended in the report, identifying funding sources
for projects and developing training and support materials for our
members."

The full report is now available on the ACRL website, along with a
separate executive summary for distribution to campus decision makers,
a bibliography of sources consulted in the development of the report,
a podcast interview with Hinchliffe and Oakleaf and links to
additional resources. Visit http://www.acrl.ala.org/value/ for
complete information on this exciting new resource.

Michael Dowling

Director

International and Chapter Relations Offices

American Library Association

50 E Huron St

Chicago, IL, USA

p +1 800-545-2433 ext 3200

f +1 312-280-4392

www.ala.org

--
Regards
Fatima Darries

E-LIS SA Editor

http://eprints.rclis.org