scholarly journals An Analysis of Academic Libraries’ Participation in 21st Century Library Trends

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 4-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Jo Catalano ◽  
Sarah Glasser ◽  
Lori Caniano ◽  
William Caniano ◽  
Lawrence Paretta

Abstract Objective – As academic libraries evolve to meet the changing needs of students in the digital age, the emphasis has shifted from the physical book collection to a suite of services incorporating innovations in teaching, technology, and social media, among others. Based on trends identified by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and other sources, the authors investigated the extent to which academic libraries have adopted 21st century library trends. Methods – The authors examined the websites of 100 Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries, their branches, and 160 randomly selected academic libraries to determine whether they adopted selected 21st century library trends. Results – Results indicated that ARL member libraries were significantly more likely to adopt these trends, quite possibly due to their larger size and larger budgets. Conclusion – This research can assist librarians, library directors, and other stakeholders in making the case for the adoption or avoidance of particular 21st century library trends, especially where considerable outlay of funds is necessary.

2001 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Hernon ◽  
Ronald R. Powell ◽  
Arthur P. Young

Using multiple means of data collection, this study identifies the attributes that present and future directors of the academic libraries in the Association of Research Libraries need to possess. Present-day directors must possess a wide variety of attributes and are less likely to remain in the same position for as many years as their predecessors did. With the aging population of academic librarians, matching the right individual with the right institution is likely to be increasingly difficult in the future.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle H. Brannen ◽  
Sojourna J. Cunningham ◽  
Regina Mays

Purpose Assessment activities in academic libraries continue to grow as libraries explore assessment endeavors. Ranging from basic stats gathering and reporting to surveys, focus groups, and usability studies and beyond. Many practitioners are finding it necessary to create new processes and programs, with little guidance. The purpose of this paper is to paint a broad picture of assessment activities in Association of Research Libraries (ARL) university libraries with the goal of creating a resource for libraries developing or improving their assessment programs. Design/methodology/approach A survey was developed that asked questions about assessment personnel, activities, mission, and website. A total of 113 surveys were sent to academic library members of ARL. Survey results were analyzed to compile a list of recommended good practices for assessment and working with assessment committees in academic libraries. Findings The investigators had a response rate of 43 percent. The open-ended nature of the survey questions allowed for the respondents to specifically narrow down the problems and opportunities inherent in library assessment committees. Originality/value This study takes the temperature of the current state of assessment programs in ARL libraries, demonstrating the growth of assessment programs. It begins to document the practices of these libraries, particularly in regards to the sometimes informal and hard to track use of committees and other in-house collaborations, as a first step toward developing best practices for the field. The results illuminate productive areas for further study, including investigating how to measure a culture of assessment and maximizing impact of assessment information presented on assessment websites.


2021 ◽  
Vol 109 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Bunting ◽  
J. Michael Homan

Gloria Werner, successor to Louise M. Darling at the UCLA Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library, university librarian emerita, and eighteenth editor of the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association, died on March 5, 2021, in Los Angeles. Before assuming responsibility in 1990 for one of the largest academic research libraries in the US, she began her library career as a health sciences librarian and spent twenty years at the UCLA Biomedical Library, first as an intern in the NIH/NLM-funded Graduate Training Program in Medical Librarianship in 1962–1963, followed by successive posts in public services and administration, eventually succeeding Darling as biomedical librarian and associate university librarian from 1979 to 1983. Werner’s forty-year career at UCLA, honored with the UCLA University Service Award in 2013, also included appointments as associate university librarian for Technical Services. She was president of the Association of Research Libraries in 1997, served on the boards of many organizations including the Association of Academic Health Sciences Library Directors, and consulted extensively. She retired as university librarian in 2002.


2012 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Taesil Hudson Carpenter

This study explores how directors of libraries with membership in the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), who are engaged in entrepreneurial leadership, define and view it. Through structured interviews and analysis of supporting documents, it examines how entrepreneurial leadership can be used as a means for creating new organizational structures, generating income, developing information delivery and technology solutions, building new partnerships, and improving services. This study has implications for library directors and administrators, organizational development specialists, and leadership trainers.


2014 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Sassen ◽  
Diane Wahl

This study concerns administrative support provided to encourage the research and publishing activities of academic librarians working in Association of Research Libraries member libraries. Deans and directors of these libraries were asked to respond to an online survey concerning the support measures that their libraries provide, as well as their thoughts on support measures that academic libraries should provide. When compared to earlier studies, the survey results indicate that most support measures have grown over time. Results also suggest increases in the requirements for publication in academic libraries, as well as in the number of libraries at which librarians have faculty status.


2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 520-535 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Gilbert

Studies about diversity initiatives in academic libraries have primarily focused on large research libraries. But what kinds of diversity work occur at smaller libraries? This study examines the status of diversity initiatives, especially those aimed at students, at national liberal arts college libraries. Results from a survey of library directors reveal that, while diversity programming happens informally at most libraries, and while diversity is valued by library directors, diversity work has not been prioritized at the organizational level in any systematic manner.


2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Greene ◽  
Michael Groenendyk

Purpose The growing popularity of virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) technologies, and increased research into their educational uses, has seen them appearing in a significant number of academic libraries. Little is known, however, about how many libraries have actually adopted these technologies or how they have structured library services around them. The purpose of this paper is to answer these questions. Design/methodology/approach The authors surveyed the websites of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member libraries to gather information about the availability of VR and AR equipment as well as information about how access is provided. Recorded details about these services included information about staffing, dedicated space, software, what type of technology was offered and whether or not the technology was lent out or only made available for in-library use. Findings Results of the research project showed that a significant number of ARL-member libraries do offer access to VR technology. AR technology was much less widespread. The most common technologies offered were the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. The technology was most typically offered for in-library use only. There were few details about staff or what software was offered to be used with the technology. Originality/value While there is growing research around how VR and AR is being used in education, little research has been undertaken into how libraries are adopting these technologies. This paper summarizes the research that has been done so far and also takes the next step of providing a larger picture of how widespread the adoption of VR and AR technologies has been within academic libraries, as well as how access to these technologies is being provided.


2009 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 531-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. Kreitz

Drawing on the results of a survey sent to library directors and senior management team members working in Association of Research Libraries member libraries in the Western United States, this study explores the ideal emotional intelligence traits of both academic library directors and the members of their senior management teams. Respondents were asked to identify the top ten ideal traits needed by directors and senior management team members. The study explores the extent to which each respondent agreed on the most important emotional intelligence traits for each organizational role. Results include lists of the top ten ideal traits for each organizational role and the top ten ideal shared traits for library leaders.


Author(s):  
Diane M. Fulkerson

Determining how a library can meet user needs can be accomplished through different methods. Libraries can use focus groups, surveys, or other means of assessment. Liquid+® is a survey available to all academic libraries from the Association of Research Libraries. Most libraries who administer the Liquid+® survey can use the survey results to do additional internal surveys with users or to meet with small groups of users to improve their services.


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