THE VALUE OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIES A Comprehensive Research Review and Report Prepared by Dr. Megan Oakleaf, Syracuse University for the Association of College and Research Libraries Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and Report Megan Oakleaf for the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) ISBN: 978-0-8389-8568-7 © 2010 American Library Association All Rights Reserved September 2010 Association of College and Research Libraries A Division of the American Library Association 50 E. Huron St. Chicago, IL 60611 Citation: Association of College and Research Libraries. Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and Report. Researched by Megan Oakleaf. Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries, 2010. Published online at www.acrl.ala.org/value Value of Academic Libraries Page 2 Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and Report Prepared by Megan Oakleaf for the Association of College and Research Libraries Advisory Committee: Debra Gilchrist, Bruce Kingma, Martha Kyrillidou, George Kuh Assistant Researchers: Patricia L. Owen, Leah Sopchak, Anna Dahlstein, Tamika Barnes Table of Contents FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................ 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .....................................................................................................11 DEFINING “VALUE” ............................................................................................................20 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................25 REVIEW AND ANALYSIS OF THE LITERATURE ..............................................................26 Academic Library .............................................................................................................26 Expectations of Higher Education ................................................................................26 Reconceptualizing Academic Libraries .........................................................................28 Achieving Institutional Missions and Outcomes ............................................................29 Assessment vs. Research ............................................................................................30 Student Retention and Graduation Rates .....................................................................32 Student Engagement....................................................................................................35 Student Learning ..........................................................................................................37 Assessment Management Systems .............................................................................45 Faculty Teaching ..........................................................................................................46 Faculty Research .........................................................................................................47 Library Valuation ..........................................................................................................49 Reference Services ......................................................................................................49 E-Resources ................................................................................................................50 Institutional Ranking .....................................................................................................52 What About Accreditation? ...........................................................................................54 Societal Contribution ....................................................................................................55 A Reminder Regarding Scope ......................................................................................56 What’s Next for Academic Library Value Studies? ........................................................57 Value of Academic Libraries Page 3 School Libraries ...............................................................................................................58 Working with Teachers and Principals ..........................................................................58 Evidence-Based Practice and Action Research ............................................................59 Assessment Tools ........................................................................................................60 Large-Scale Studies .....................................................................................................65 Assessment Management Systems .............................................................................70 Reporting Results .........................................................................................................70 What’s Next for School Library Value Studies? ............................................................71 Public Libraries ................................................................................................................72 Economic Value ...........................................................................................................72 Economic Benefit .........................................................................................................75 Economic Activity .........................................................................................................77 Economic Impact ..........................................................................................................77 Social Impact ...............................................................................................................79 What’s Next for Public Library Value Studies? .............................................................81 Special Libraries ..............................................................................................................83 Working with Managers ................................................................................................83 Economic Studies ........................................................................................................84 Impact Studies .............................................................................................................88 Reporting Results .........................................................................................................90 What’s Next for Special Library Value Studies? ............................................................92 WHAT TO DO NEXT ...........................................................................................................93 Get Started ...................................................................................................................93 Define Outcomes .........................................................................................................94 Use Assessment Management Systems ......................................................................94 Gather New Data .........................................................................................................94 Use Existing Data .........................................................................................................97 Engage in Higher Education Assessment External to Libraries ....................................97 Create Library Assessment Plans ................................................................................98 Mobilize Library Administrators ....................................................................................98 Engage in Professional Development ...........................................................................99 Leverage Professional Library Associations ............................................................... 100 RESEARCH AGENDA ......................................................................................................101 Value of Academic Libraries Page 4 Student Enrollment ........................................................................................................103 Student Retention ..........................................................................................................106 Student Success ............................................................................................................109 Student Achievement .....................................................................................................114 Student Learning ...........................................................................................................117 Student Experience, Attitude, and Perception of Quality ................................................120 Faculty Research Productivity........................................................................................ 129 Faculty Grants ...............................................................................................................132 Faculty Teaching ...........................................................................................................134 Institutional Reputation or Prestige ................................................................................137 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................140 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...............................................................................................................141