In the wake of massive economic, cultural, and pedagogical shifts within the higher education ecosystem, academic libraries adapt to these developments by extending themselves within the institutional setting and meeting their patrons at the point of need. Typically, this is achieved through measures like tailored literacy instruction and learner-centered services. But are academic libraries doing enough to leverage their collections toward affirming their relevance in an ever-changing educational landscape?
This presentation delineates a three-pronged approach to proving academic library value rooted in the three A’s of ensuring accessibility of library resources: Awareness of needs, Actions taken, and Assessment of results. We set the stage by contextualizing the value conversation within the larger discourse about change in the academic library environment. We then engage the audience in a dialog about the ongoing transition toward a user-centered library service philosophy. We also offer a more balanced perspective taking into account the impact of a carefully developed collection on the entirety of learner experience.
We support this argument with two scenarios currently employing the three A’s model at mid-size academic libraries. The first case highlights the importance of cross-campus collaborations at the Awareness stage, as evidenced by the successful efforts of Subject Liaisons at Eastern Washington University to steer through the roadblocks of the budget realignment process and involve College leadership in critical collection decisions.
Awareness matters only when followed by Action and Assessment, as the second case, that of the University of Northern Colorado, illustrates. The Education Librarian used the Faculty Assessment Mini-grant findings to incorporate diversity, inclusion, and social justice materials into the Youth collection, thereby addressing top institutional priorities. Through these scenarios, we share insights on how to build on the three A’s model and make academic library collections not only “useful” but actually used by all of library constituents.
