ACRL releases The Small and Rural Academic Library: Leveraging Resources and Overcoming Limitations

CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) announces the publication of “The Small and Rural Academic Library: Leveraging Resources and Overcoming Limitations.” Edited by Kaetrena Davis Kendrick and Deborah Tritt, the work provides practical tips and techniques for this unique subset of librarians.

Small and rural academic libraries struggle with a particular set of technological and institutional barriers—tight budgets, stagnant salaries, small staff, and limited access to current technologies can prevent these active academic librarians from fully participating in professional development. Feelings of isolation, concerns about institutional support, and worries about the perception of the LIS profession within the community can also be issues.

Through the use of case studies, research, and practical interviews, “The Small and Rural Academic Library: Leveraging Resources and Overcoming Limitations” explores how academic librarians in such environments can keep pace with, create, and improve modern library practices and services, network with colleagues, and access continuing education and professional development opportunities. Additionally, this book acts as a resource on matters of human resources and management concerns that are unique to LIS professionals and paraprofessionals who serve at small campuses and in rural communities.

Kaetrena Davis Kendrick is Assistant Librarian and Assistant Professor at the University of South Carolina Lancaster, where she has expanded outreach, grown instruction, introduced and promoted teaching and learning technologies, and implemented data collection and scholarship curation initiatives on her small campus. Deborah Tritt is an instruction/reference librarian and assistant professor at the University of South Carolina Aiken’s Gregg-Graniteville Library. She is also the archivist for the Gregg-Graniteville Archives and oversees the library’s digital collections.

“The Small and Rural Academic Library: Leveraging Resources and Overcoming Limitations” is available for purchase in print and as an e-book through the ALA Online Store; in print through Amazon.com; and by telephone order at (866) 746-7252 in the U.S. or (770) 442-8633 for international customers.

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The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) is the higher education association for librarians. Representing more than 11,000 academic and research librarians and interested individuals, ACRL (a division of the American Library Association) develops programs, products and services to help academic and research librarians learn, innovate and lead within the academic community. Founded in 1940, ACRL is committed to advancing learning and transforming scholarship. ACRL is on the Web at acrl.org, Facebook at facebook.com/ala.acrl and Twitter at @ala_acrl.