Exploring the use of digital exhibits by academic libraries

Abstract

Exhibits are an increasingly common means of outreach for academic libraries, leading to a growing interest in how librarians curate exhibits to intrigue, educate, and collaborate with users. This study examined digital exhibits produced by ARL-member academic library systems in order to explore the nature and use of exhibits. The study sampled a total of 147 digital exhibits created by 68 academic libraries, developing an original framework for content analysis of the exhibits. The findings confirm that academic librarians use digital exhibits to highlight their collections, inform and entertain visitors, contribute to the instruction of students, and forge and strengthen relationships with various communities through collaborative exhibit creation. These findings can inform practitioners and provide valuable insight into the development of digital exhibits within the academic library context.