The Value of Academic Libraries Initiative: A Briefing, A Discussion, and An Opportunity for Engagement Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe & Mary Ellen Davis 9 th Performance Measurement Assessment Conference

The Context for Value (Pritchard, 1996) Few libraries exist in a vacuum, accountable only to themselves. There is always a larger context for assessing library quality, that is, what and how well does the library contribute to achieving the overall goals of the parent constituencies?

What’s the Evidence?

Build capacity for data-driven advocacy align libraries with institutional outcomes enable librarians to apply & extend the research base on the value of academic and research libraries empower librarians to carry out local work foster professional collaborations contribute to assessment in higher education

The Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and Report

 Define outcomes  Create or adopt systems for assessment management  Determine what libraries enables students, faculty, student affairs professionals, administrators and staff to do.  Develop systems to collect data on individual library user behavior, while maintaining privacy.  Record and increase library impact on student enrollment.  Link libraries to improved student retention and graduation rates.  Review course content, readings, reserves, and assignments.  Document and augment library advancement of student experiences, attitudes, and perceptions of quality.  Track and increase library contributions to faculty research productivity.  Continue to investigate library impact on faculty grant proposals and funding, a means of generating institutional income.  Demonstrate and improve library support of faculty teaching.  Create library assessment plans.  Promote and participate in professional development.  Mobilize library administrators.  Leverage library professional associations. Recommendations

– student enrollment – student retention and graduation rates – student success – student achievement – student learning – student experience Research Agenda: – faculty research productivity – faculty grant proposals and funding – faculty teaching – overall institutional reputation or prestige The Library contributes to …

Report complemented by … Futures Thinking for Academic Librarians: Higher Education in 2025 (June 2010) – Top Ten Trends in Academic Libraries (June 2010) - Environmental Scan (2011)

ACRL’s Strategic Plan (July 2011) Goal: Academic libraries demonstrate alignment with and impact on institutional outcomes. – Leverage existing research to articulate and promote the value of academic and research libraries. – Undertake and support new research that builds on the research agenda in The Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Review and Report. – Influence national conversations and activities focused on the value of higher education. – Develop and deliver responsive professional development programs that build the skills and capacity for leadership and local data-informed and evidence-based advocacy.

Value of Academic Libraries Committee To oversee and coordinate ACRL's Value of Academic Libraries Initiative; Work with the ACRL Board and other ACRL units to create a comprehensive effort including: – professional development, – publications, – research, and – consultation services and – in developing the ACRL Value website; and monitor and assess the effectiveness of the Value Initiative. Co-Chairs: Lisa Hinchliffe and Megan Oakleaf

Body of Work: Completed & Forthcoming Professional Development – Past and Upcoming Presentations ( 39Publications) Publications – Toolkit ( issues/value/valueofacademiclibrariestoolkit.cfm) – Revised Standards for Academic Libraries in Higher Education (2011) Research with NCES Data (in process) Collaboration with Higher Education Associations (in process)

How can the ACRL Value of Academic Libraries Initiative best serve you, your library, and/or the profession?

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