Project Briefing/Update: “University Futures, Library Futures: Aligning Academic Library Services to Emerging Institutional Needs”

University Futures, Library Futures: Aligning Academic Library Services to Emerging Institutional Needs
Presentation by Constance Malpas (OCLC Research), Jeff Steely (Georgia State University) and Rona Stein (OCLC Research) at CNI 2018 Spring Membership Meeting.
Session Abstract via CNI Website

Launched in March 2017, the University Futures, Library Futures project is examining how changes in the US higher education landscape are informing the organization and delivery of academic library services. As colleges and universities adapt to demographic change in undergraduate enrollment profiles, as well as evolving teaching, learning and research workflows, will academic libraries look increasingly similar or more diverse? How do shifts in institutional direction (e.g. an ambitious agenda to increase research productivity, dramatic growth in part-time enrollment, or a sharpened focus on improving retention and completion) impact the scope, scale and sourcing of library services? This session will present a research model, which is based on statistical indicators of US colleges and universities, and findings from focus groups with academic library leaders. The case of University Innovation Alliance (UIA) universities will be explored through the statistical research model, juxtaposing (1) the educational offer(s) that UIA universities lead with, (2) the mode(s) in which UIA universities provide their educational offer(s). Complementing this research perspective, a grounded view of how university futures shape library futures will be provided by Georgia State University. As a member of UIA, GSU has embarked on a bold strategy to increase retention and completion rates with a data-driven approach to maximizing student success. The University Library is an important partner in pioneering and scaling the educational enterprise at GSU, placing the student experience at the center of space and service planning. The University Futures, Library Futures project is supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and is a collaboration between OCLC Research and Ithaka S+R.

Direct to Slide Deck (via Slideshare)
See Also: University Futures, Library Futures Project Web Page

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