Library Association Research Articles

Building Distinctive Collections: A Survey of Association of Research Libraries’ Member Institutions Acquisitions Infrastructure

Building Distinctive Collections: A Survey of Association of Research Libraries’ Member Institutions Acquisitions Infrastructure

From the Pages of North Carolina Libraries: North Carolina Negro Library Association by Mollie Houston Lee v. 34, no.1 (Winter 1977)

From the Pages of North Carolina Libraries: North Carolina Negro Library Association by Mollie Houston Lee v. 34, no.1 (Winter 1977)

A decade of Does: celebrating the 125th anniversary of MLA through an annual meeting conversation with past Janet Doe lecturers.

At the Medical Library Association (MLA) 2024 Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon, the Janet Doe Lectureship Series plenary session featured a panel of past Doe lecturers from the last decade. Reflecting on their lectures they were challenged to imagine how the Association's Core Values could guide and inform decision making in response to current and emerging challenges to the profession and in the environment. Panelists' reflections included themes of inclusivity, collaboration, leadership, technology, space planning, and the role of medical librarians in addressing issues of mis- and disinformation, bias, equity, and open access, today and in the future. Common themes included the centrality of collaboration as a necessary component of health sciences librarianship, and the ongoing criticality of the profession's commitment to ethical practices. The panelists shared insights on how MLA's Core Values can guide the profession and association through the challenges and opportunities of the evolving healthcare and information landscape, including the rise and the rapid evolution of advanced technologies.

On the Experience of Work with Controversial Content in Libraries in the USA and Russia

The introduction of restrictions on access to information is one of the most discussed topics in library practice today. The purpose of the article is to describe some cases of withdrawal of books, as well as a ban on lending certain publications in US school libraries and public libraries of the Russian Federation. The author states that despite the activities of non-governmental organizations that monitor compliance with the First Amendment to the US Constitution and record cases of book censorship, in recent years there has been an increase in the number of cases when documents have been excluded from libraries under public pressure contrary to the provisions of the American Library Association. In Russia, where there are no such organizations, materials from open access can be excluded only by a court decision and in accordance with the current laws in the country.

Library Associations as A Catalyst for Job Performance Among Librarians: Experience from Tanzania Library and Information Association

This study conducted a comprehensive investigation into the role of the Library Association as a catalyst for job performance among members of the Tanzania Library and Information Association (TLA). A case study design was adopted to explore the influence of TLA on the job performance of librarians. The study utilized a web-based survey methodology, where a hyperlink containing the survey questions was created and distributed to participants, allowing the researcher to collect a substantial amount of data in a short period. The collected responses were subsequently exported to the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for descriptive analysis. The results revealed that membership in the TLA has a beneficial influence on job performance. Furthermore, results revealed that their association with the TLA has improved librarian’s competencies and knowledge base. The researcher recommends that TLA should improve the frequency and diversity of training initiatives, customize training to address modern trends and requirements and enhance accessibility to professional development.

Autism-Informed Academic Librarians.

On college campuses, the academic library can be a place of comfort for some Autistic students. Autistic college students report using the library to explore their interests and as a place to escape a busy campus environment. However, academic librarians are not required to have a formal education about autism or neurodiversity more broadly. Through content analysis, this study examines sessions presented at the largest biannual conference for academic librarians in the United States to determine if, and how, attendees gain access to autism information. Results indicate that few sessions focus specifically on autism but that the number is growing, especially when included within sessions about neurodiversity more broadly. Additionally, the language used to describe autism is increasingly in alignment with Autistic preferences. Conference sessions about autism and neurodiversity are limited but growing in number and quality. By encouraging more professional development opportunities for academic librarians to learn about autism, college and university students will benefit from more informed librarians and more inclusive library environments. Academic libraries are important support spaces for some autistic college students, yet academic librarians receive no formal training or education about autism. This study sought to understand if academic librarians receive autism education through professional conference sessions. The researcher studied conference programs from five previous biannual, national conferences of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), the largest conference in the United States for academic librarians, to find all references to autism or neurodiversity more broadly. The researcher analyzed conference sessions using descriptive statistics to provide basic frequencies and qualitative methods to assign meaning to session metadata and descriptions. Conference sessions about autism or neurodiversity were limited, with very few specifically addressing the topic. However, with the exception of 2017, these offerings have steadily increased since 2015. Language used to describe these sessions varied, but sessions used the term "neurodiversity" or its derivatives with greater frequency in most recent conference years, indicating greater awareness and understanding of this concept. Finally, sessions largely moved away from deficit-based language. This is the first study to look at academic library conference sessions for autism references. It helps us to understand what information is being provided and what autism education academic librarians still need. This study only looked at sessions presented for the national conference. Academic librarians may be getting autism information from state or local conferences or other professional development avenues. More information provided through interviews and surveys with academic librarians and autistic library users may help provide additional context for these results. Previous work indicates that autistic college students appreciate their academic libraries. Creating more autism-informed academic librarians will help ensure these remain or become even more inclusive, supportive campus spaces.

Library academic resource recommendation and association analysis using GraphSAGE

Library academic resource recommendation and association analysis using GraphSAGE

Support for Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software in ARL libraries

Academic libraries are filled with niche support services that are unique to their primary clientele. While rarely taught to librarians in a formal academic setting, the support of Computer-Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software is one such niche that appears in academic libraries across North America. But how common is it, and at what level is support offered amongst members of the Association of Research Libraries? This paper attempts to answer this question.

The Early Years

This article examines the formative years of the University of Florida (UF) from 1906 to 1967, highlighting the complex and multifaceted history of its origins and library development. The narrative begins with the relocation of university assets from the Florida Agricultural College in Lake City to Gainesville following the Buckman Act of 1905, which catalyzed the establishment of a new UF campus. It details the evolution of the university library, tracing the growth of its collection from 4,000 volumes in 1906 to over one million by 1963, amidst challenges such as increased enrollment post-World War I and the need for substantial reforms identified in a 1940 American Library Association study. The paper discusses the pivotal role of key figures, including librarians Milton Hadley and Cora Miltimore, and library director Stanley West, who advocated for enhanced administrative powers and faculty status for librarians. It also examines the impact of historical events on library services, such as the GI Bill and the expansion of special collections, while addressing the sociopolitical challenges faced by library staff during the era. This article also includes the graphical timeline of the Libraries.

Heightened Awareness of Oppressive Systems May Impact Black Library Workers’ Perceptions of Inequitable Hiring and Retention Practices in Public and Academic Libraries

A Review of: Caragher, K., & Bryant, T. (2023). Black and non-Black library workers’ perceptions of hiring, retention, and promotion racial equity practices. Journal of Library Administration, 63(2), 137-178. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2022.2159239 Objective – To measure Black and non-Black library employees’ perceptions of their library’s efforts to hire, retain, and promote Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) library employees. Design – Literature review and subsequent questionnaire. Setting – Academic and public libraries in the United States and Canada. Subjects – 717 survey participants who met the criteria of working in the United States or Canada, and either being currently employed, retired, or unemployed library workers whose experiences are placed in an academic or public library. 68 subjects who selected Black as their ethnicity were coded separately from other ethnic designations. Methods – A joint effort of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS) and the Public Library Association (PLA) launched the Building Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity Framework Task Force in 2019. A subset of this task force broke out to create a survey titled Racial Equity in Libraries. A three-part survey was devised, covering demographics, personal experiences with racial equity, and workplace experiences with racial equity. The task force used non-probability convenience sampling and distributed the survey to several library listservs across the United States and Canada. Quantitative results underwent descriptive statistics; qualitative results underwent iterative thematic analysis. Main Results – Black participants made up 68 (9.5%) of all responses. Five qualitative themes emerged: unsuccessful hiring searches; acknowledgement that hiring of BIPOC is an ongoing issue; no BIPOC employees; organization-based issues impacting hiring; and hostile work environments for BIPOC. Conclusion – Black participants were more likely to report that their library hires, promotes, and retains BIPOC library workers compared to non-Black participants. However, Black participants were also more likely to refute that their employers were making efforts to hire, retain, and promote BIPOC library workers than their non-Black counterparts. This may be due to Black participants' greater sense of awareness of oppressive systems surrounding them.

Review of Everyday Evidence-Based Practice in Academic Libraries

A review of the book sEveryday Evidence-Based Practice in Academic Libraries edited by Claire Walker Wiley, Amanda B. Click, and Meggan Houlihan. Association of College and Research Libraries. 377pp. ISBN: XXXXXX

Review of Universal Design for Learning in Academic Libraries: Theory into Practice

Review of Universal Design for Learning in Academic Libraries: Theory into Practice, edited by Danielle Skaggs and Rachel M. McMullin. Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries, 2024. Pp viii, 286. $78. ISBN 9798892555494.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Assessing the Potential of Controlled Digital Lending for Filipiniana Collections in the Philippines: A Content Analysis

We, the Author, the Editor and the Publisher of the journal, Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, have retracted the following article: de Leon, L. C. R. (2025). Assessing the Potential of Controlled Digital Lending for Filipiniana Collections in the Philippines: A Content Analysis. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2025.2475588 Since publication, the author noticed errors in the references cited in the article. The following references could not be found or verified: Adams, C. (2021). Howard university joins open libraries: A case study in CDL. Journal of Digital Library Services, 14(1), 22–35. Alcantara, L. M. (2022). Library funding and budget issues in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Library and Information Science, 47(1), 34–45. Caron, J. (2018). Controlled Digital Lending: A New Approach to Copyright Law. Harvard Journal of Law & Technology, 31(2), 425–450. Hildebrandt, T. (2021). Controlled Digital Lending and Canadian Copyright Law. Canadian Journal of Law & Technology, 38(2), 87–102. Lemieux, C. (2021). CDL pilot projects in Canadian libraries. Canadian Federation of Library Associations Report. Lemley, M. A. (2020). Copyright law and libraries in the digital Age: A Canadian perspective. McGill Law Journal, 65(3), 561–580. Park, J. (2022). Controlled Digital Lending in South Korea: Emerging Trends and Developments. Korean Library Review, 24(1), 33–47. Philippine Association of Academic and Research Librarians (PAARL). (2022). The state of library technology in the Philippines. Quezon City: PAARL. Philippine Publishers Association. (2022). The State of Filipiniana Publishing in the Philippines. Saito, H. (2023). Adapting CDL Practices in Japan: A Digital Library Perspective. Japanese Library Journal, 22(2), 45–59. Simmons, C. (2021). HathiTrust: A case study in digital library development. D–Lib Magazine For the above-mentioned references, the author confirmed that the use of a generative AI tool had not been declared. Undeclared use of generative AI tools is a breach of our Editorial Policies. In addition, the reliance on sources that cannot be verified throughout the article means that the validity of the published work cannot be verified. As the editorial team no longer have confidence in the reported conclusions within the article, the decision has been made to retract the article. All have agreed to the retract the article to ensure the integrity of the scholarly record. We have been informed in our decision-making by our editorial policies and the COPE guidelines.

Minutes of the North Carolina Library Association Executive Board October 2010

Minutes of the North Carolina Library Association Executive Board October 2010

Minutes of the North Carolina Library Association Executive Board July 2010

Minutes of the North Carolina Library Association Executive Board July 2010

Promoting AI literacy through U.S. academic libraries: an analysis of LibGuides from ARL and Oberlin group libraries using the EDUCAUSE AI literacy framework

Introduction. As the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly advances, academic libraries are increasingly pivotal in supporting AI literacy among students and faculty. Method. Through content analysis, the present study examines 70 newly developed generative AI LibGuides from academic libraries affiliated with the association of research libraries (ARL) and the Oberlin group, using the EDUCAUSE AI literacy framework. Analysis. Through a detailed examination, the present research reorganizes and improves the EDUCAUSE AI literacy framework, proposing a more comprehensive version tailored to higher education needs. The adapted framework fills the gaps in the original model and offers a nuanced approach to AI literacy, reflecting the unique challenges faced by academic libraries. Results. The findings reveal that most LibGuides emphasize foundational AI tools and responsible use, with less focus on advanced technical competencies related to AI creation. Significant differences were observed between ARL and Oberlin Group LibGuides, with ARL offering more comprehensive coverage. To address these differences, consistent training and knowledge sharing initiatives are recommended to ensure a common standard of AI literacy support across academic libraries. Conclusion. This study provides insights into the role of libraries in promoting generative AI literacy and identifies areas for future strategic partnerships and improvement.

‘A Mulligan’s stew’: educational preparation for today’s academic library liaisons in the humanities and social sciences

Introduction. This short paper reports on findings from a survey of academic librarians with liaison responsibilities to college and university social sciences and humanities departments, with particular attention to newer responsibilities related to research data management and scholarly communications, areas less commonly associated with humanities and humanistic social sciences liaison work. Method. The survey was distributed to 1085 individuals, 330 of whom responded (rate: 30.4%). Analysis. This paper reports on one segment of the survey’s findings: the extent to which respondents believe their American Library Association (ALA)-accredited master’s degree and, where applicable, additional graduate coursework, prepared them for specific duties associated with liaison work. Results. Three findings are discussed: 1) impressions about the ALA-accredited master’s from respondents who have not participated in other graduate education 2) as compared to respondents who have completed additional graduate education, and 3) respondents’ impressions of the extent to which additional graduate study prepared them for liaison work as compared to the preparation afforded by the ALA-accredited master’s. Conclusions. Respondents do not believe the ALA-accredited master’s to have provided strong preparation for the ‘Mulligan’s Stew’ of tasks, skills, and responsibilities associated with liaison work. The Discussion and Conclusion sections share suggestions for strengthening liaison preparation.

A toolkit for academic libraries to create interdisciplinary interest in the All of Us Researcher Workbench across campus communities

As part of the All of Us Data Training and Engagement for Academic Libraries Program, a toolkit was created to provide resources for academic librarians to increase library visibility and research capacity. The toolkit, created from program documents, is intended to simplify library worker’s task of bringing the All of Us Research Program to academic institutions to enhance the academic library’s research capacity for biomedical and public health data and is intended for wide use. The impact of the toolkit was seen during the 2024 Medical Library Association Annual Conference.

Ripples and Rocks: Strategic Plans of the American Library Association 2000–2025

ABSTRACT It has been 25 years since Kathleen de la Peña McCook’s Equity in the American Library Association: Rocks in the Whirlpool (McCook 2002) provided historical context for the American Library Association’s (ALA) guiding principles, goals, and key action areas. “Equity of Access,” one of the five key action areas identified by the ALA Council in 1998, is central to the ALA’s mission, which emphasizes enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. How have the goals and priorities of ALA changed or remained the same after 25 years?

Spring reads

Meg Barclay, education consultant and early years reviewer for the School Library Association, reviews picturebooks that teach children about what an egg is, introduce the complexity of a river and build confidence around emotions