tag: Academic libraries
Upcoming Event
August 15, 2026
Under Pressure
Highlights From the 2025 Library Deans and Directors Survey
As part of the CNI Project Briefing Series, Ellen Carroll and Tracy Bergstrom will explore new findings from Ithaka S+R’s US Library Survey. The 2025 survey cycle examined leaders’ perspectives on the library’s core role, governance, and key dimensions of strategy and operations while expanding the scope of inquiry to include emerging areas of influence, including generative artificial intelligence (AI), developments in the scholarly communication ecosystem, and change management.
Upcoming Event
August 19, 2026
Academic Libraries Under Pressure
Insights from the US Library Survey 2025
Academic libraries are navigating a period of rapid change as they balance financial pressures, evolving campus priorities, and the growing impact of generative AI. Ithaka S+R’s US Library Survey 2025: Under Pressure offers a timely look at how library deans and directors are responding to these challenges and preparing their organizations for the future. Synthesizing responses from library leaders at four-year, not-for-profit higher education institutions across the US, this research explores strategic priorities, staffing, budgets, student success, collections, and…
Past Event
July 27, 2026
Digging into the Data
Ithaka S+R’s 2025 US Library Directors Survey
In November 2025, Ithaka S+R fielded the most recent version of the US Library Survey. In an event hosted by the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL), Lauren Pressley, Dean of ZSR Library at Wake Forest University, will moderate a conversation with Tracy Bergstrom (Senior Program Manager) and Ellen Carroll (Senior Analyst) on the results of the survey. Join to hear about the important lessons gained from this survey, with time for questions and answers.
Past Event
July 22, 2026
Supporting Basic Needs Through Library Partnerships
Join Ithaka S+R for a webinar highlighting key findings from the Maximizing Public-Academic Library Partnerships project. We will explore how community college and public library partnerships can support basic needs initiatives and share lessons from our national research, case studies, policy analysis, and partnership framework. Attendees will gain insights into how community college and public libraries are supporting basic needs initiatives, what partnership models are being used across the country, and what lessons emerged from Ithaka S+R multi-year research.
Blog Post
June 11, 2026
AI Literacy: Join the Latest Cohort
Beginning this July, Ithaka S+R will convene a cohort of 15-20 colleges and universities to explore how existing information literacy frameworks can be adapted and revised to reflect the changing realities of an AI-driven information ecosystem. The project will bring together librarians, teaching and learning professionals, and other campus leaders committed to advancing AI literacy as a core learning outcome.
Blog Post
June 9, 2026
Understanding the Environmental Impacts of Artificial Intelligence
Introducing a New LibGuide
Today, we are publishing a LibGuide focused on the Environmental Impacts of AI, as a part of our Incorporating Environmental Perspectives into AI Literacy project, funded by the Mellon Foundation. The LibGuide’s objective is to help users attain a baseline understanding of the varied environmental consequences behind AI technology. The LibGuide’s articles, reports, podcasts, videos, data trackers, and other types of resources address environmental impacts throughout the AI lifecycle.
Past Event
July 1, 2026
Understanding How Academic Libraries in the United States Navigate Uncertain Times
Results from Ithaka S+R’s 2025 US Library Deans and Directors Survey
At the Association of European Research Libraries annual conference, Ithaka S+R’s Tracy Bergstrom and Ellen Carroll will share key findings from Ithaka S+R’s 2025 US Library Deans and Directors Survey, with a particular focus on evolving perceptions of the core values that underpin academic libraries and the changing nature of library work. Since its inception in 2010, this triennial online survey has provided foundational data on both longstanding and emerging priorities for library leaders. Each cycle offers longitudinal insights…
Research Report
May 14, 2026
US Library Survey 2025
Under Pressure
The US Library Survey examines how library leaders conceptualize their work—what they prioritize, how they navigate decision-making, and how they align the library with the goals of their parent institutions. The 2025 cycle examines leaders’ perspectives on the library’s core role, governance, and key dimensions of strategy and operations. The report also includes their perspectives on generative artificial intelligence (AI), developments in the scholarly communication ecosystem, and change management.
Blog Post
May 6, 2026
Defining AI Literacy
Announcing the Fourth Cohort for Summer 2026
Across the past year, Ithaka S+R has worked with 58 institutions through our cohort projects to define and implement AI literacy. Following these successful engagements, we are launching an additional AI literacy cohort this summer, which will run on an accelerated timeline. Participants will collectively address two fundamental questions: What exactly is AI literacy? How can libraries, centers for teaching and learning, and other university units better support AI literacy for students and faculty?…
Blog Post
April 9, 2026
What Do Libraries Look for When Evaluating Relationships with Academic Publishers?
Today, we published an issue brief on the topic of the evolving relationship between research libraries and academic publishers. With this research, we wanted to better understand which qualities and practices library professionals consider most and least important when evaluating their relationships with academic publishers. At a time of significant budgetary constraints within academic libraries, what qualities rise to the top when deciding whether to begin or renew a publisher contract?…
Issue Brief
April 9, 2026
Perspectives on Academic Publishers
Evidence from a 2025 Study of Academic Library Professionals
Between August and December 2025, Ithaka S+R conducted a national survey and complementary structured interviews with 13 library professionals to examine how library professionals evaluate academic publishers. The project was guided by the primary aim of understanding the qualities and practices library professionals consider most and least important when evaluating relationships with academic publishers. Together, these data provide insight into the values, expectations, and pressures shaping libraries’ relationships with publishers.
Blog Post
April 2, 2026
AI in Action
Announcing a New Cohort Project for Academic Libraries
Our new initiative, AI in Action, will bring together 15-20 academic libraries starting this May for a 12-month, hands-on cohort to explore the potential for integrating AI into their own processes. The goal is to produce actionable, shared insights that strengthen the sector’s collective capacity for innovation, while staying aligned with library values.
Blog Post
March 24, 2026
Announcing the Library Partnership Development Framework
Across sectors, organizations are increasingly recognizing that no single institution can meet the full range of needs facing students and communities today. Effective partnerships, grounded in shared goals, clear roles, and sustained collaboration, are essential for addressing complex challenges like access to education, workforce development, digital inclusion, and basic needs support. Libraries offer a compelling example of how this work can take shape. Public and academic libraries often serve the same populations through different institutional structures. In both settings, libraries…
Playbook
March 24, 2026
Library Partnership Development Framework
Drawing on a qualitative inventory of library websites, national case studies, and insights gathered through an in-person institute , the project has informed the development of the Library Partnership Development Framework. This framework is designed to support libraries at all stages of partnership: exploring new opportunities, formalizing emerging collaborations, or enhancing and scaling established initiatives.
Blog Post
March 3, 2026
Incorporating Environmental Perspectives into AI Literacy
Announcing a New Mellon-Funded Project
The energy and material demands behind artificial intelligence (AI) technology raise serious questions about the environmental impacts of widespread AI adoption. Understanding these environmental-related consequences is an important component of what it means to be AI literate. Within the sphere of higher education, colleges and universities are launching initiatives to help students, faculty, and staff attain higher levels of AI literacy. Many AI literacy frameworks already call for competency in the societal and environmental impacts of AI technologies. However, tracking…
Case Study
January 28, 2026
Shared Space, Shared Mission
How the King Library Expands Access and Strengthens Community Impact
Collaboration between San José State University and San José Public Library culminated in the establishment of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. This unique partnership unites the resources, staff, and missions of both a large urban university and a major city library system, offering insights into the opportunities and complexities of co-located service delivery. The case study explores how this partnership has evolved over time, including governance structures, service integration, communication practices, and lessons learned for institutions considering or…
Past Event
November 20, 2025
Emerging Trends in AI and Higher Education
On November 20 at 1:00pm ET, Ithaka S+R’s Dylan Ruediger participated in a virtual panel on emerging trends in AI and higher education, hosted by the University of Tennessee Library through their AI Series.
Blog Post
November 3, 2025
Understanding How Academic Libraries Navigate Uncertain Times
Adapting the Library Deans and Directors Survey 2025 for the Present Environment
Today, we launched the Library Deans and Directors Survey 2025. Established in 2010, this triennial survey provides foundational data to the field on the areas of established and emerging importance to academic library deans and directors. Continuing this tradition, the survey now in the field examines the strategic and leadership perspectives of library leaders and seeks to understand the evolution of opportunities and challenges they face in their work. Academic libraries are navigating an exceptional time of change, which has…
Blog Post
August 27, 2025
Building Stronger Library Partnerships
Lessons from the Library Partnership Development Institute
Working together, academic and public libraries have the potential to meet community needs in powerful and often overlooked ways—providing technology access, digital and information literacy programs, and connections to social services that address basic needs like food, housing, and transportation. These partnerships can also create targeted support for specific populations, including student parents looking for early childhood programming or low-income students navigating financial aid and social service systems. By collaborating, libraries can serve students and their communities more…
Blog Post
August 13, 2025
The Current State of Academic E-Book Business Models
New Report
A year ago, with funding from the Mellon Foundation, we began assessing the state of scholarly monograph publishing in the humanities and social sciences with a view to understanding how well the business models employed by publishers and vendors meet the needs of their consumer base, namely libraries and authors. Today, we are delighted to announce the publication of our findings. The report considers the areas of alignment and disconnect between…