Mary Ellen K. Davis
Executive Director
Association of College & Research Libraries
Lori A. Goetsch
Dean of Libraries
Kansas State University and Association of College & Research Libraries
ACRL Project Briefing Proposal ROI: Measuring the library’s contribution to the academic enterprise The current economic climate and the increased emphasis on assessment and outcomes have forced academic units to measurably demonstrate their value to the teaching, learning, and research mission of their institutions. Libraries are not immune to this pressure to justify resource investments in people, collections, facilities, technology, and services.
The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) contracted with Megan Oakleaf, assistant professor in the iSchool at Syracuse University, to develop and deliver a comprehensive review of the quantitative and qualitative literature, methodologies and best practices currently in place for demonstrating the value of academic libraries. The primary objective of the comprehensive review is to provide a clearer understanding of what research already exists and where gaps occur in research about the performance of academic libraries.
This project briefing will highlight preliminary findings of this research including identifying the major trends in methods used for demonstrating value and identifying items on national surveys that might serve as surrogates on the values question. The final report is due to ACRL in June.
Presentation (Web)