Quantification of solo librarianship within American academic libraries between fiscal years 2016 and 2019 using IPEDS data

Abstract

Insufficient reporting of the size of the solo academic librarian population exists. Utilizing Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) annual data and adhering to the 1989 Solo Librarians Caucus definition of solo librarianship, a method relying on IPEDS UnitIDs and the Human Resources (HR) survey component was designed to quantify this population working within American institutions of higher education for fiscal years 2016 through 2019. Pairing with additional IPEDS institutional data from two fiscal years provided overview insight into the institution types served by these professionals based on geographic region, enrollment full-time equivalents (FTEs), Carnegie Classifications, and annual library expenditure.