ACRL issues RFP for value of academic libraries research
Contact: Mary Ellen K. Davis
ACRL
(312) 280-3248
mdavis@ala.org
Kara Malenfant
ACRL
(312) 280-2510
kmalenfant@ala.org
NEWS
For Immediate Release
September 22, 2009
CHICAGO – The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) is seeking proposals from experienced researchers for the development and delivery of a comprehensive review of the quantitative and qualitative literature, methodologies and best practices currently in place for demonstrating the value of academic libraries. The request for proposals is available on the ACRL Web site at
http://www.acrl.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/issues/ACRL_RFP_Value.pdf. Responses are due by 4:30 p.m. CST on Nov. 2, 2009.
The current economic climate and the increased emphasis on assessment and outcomes have forced academic departments’ higher education administrators to make tough decisions regarding the funding of programs and units at their institutions. The relevance of libraries is under question. Now, more than ever, there is a need for libraries to demonstrate their value in clear, measurable ways to leaders in higher education, information technology, funding agencies and campus decision makers in order to secure adequate funding for their operations.
The primary objective of the comprehensive review is to provide ACRL leaders with a clearer understanding of what research already exists and where gaps occur in research about the performance of academic libraries. Additionally, this review will provide ACRL members with tools and strategies to demonstrate the value of academic libraries to their institutional leadership.
Direct questions to Mary Ellen K. Davis, ACRL executive director, at
mdavis@ala.org or (312) 280-3248, or to Kara Malenfant, ACRL scholarly communications/government relations specialist, at
kmalenfant@ala.org or (312) 280-2510.
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ACRL is a division of the American Library Association (ALA), representing nearly 13,000 academic and research librarians and interested individuals. ACRL is the only individual membership organization in North America that develops programs, products and services to meet the unique needs of academic and research librarians. Its initiatives enable the higher education community to understand the role that academic libraries play in the teaching, learning and research environments.
