ACRL Value of Academic Libraries Report

On September 14, ACRL released “Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and Report.” Developed for the association 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 and a podcast interview with ACRL President Lisa Hinchliffe and author Megan Oakleaf, is freely available online at 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 making 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.

In the week since the report’s release, it has received coverage from a number of higher education and library publications, including theChronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and Library Journal. Lisa Hinchliffe shares this press coverage, along with your comments and reactions to the report, in her blog post “A Week in the Life of the Value Report” at http://www.acrl.ala.org/value/?p=43. Please continue to let ACRL know how you are using, or plan to use, the report by leaving comments on the report website or discussing online with the tag #acrlval.