Shifting Priorities for Academic Librarians

In a recent Library Journal article, “Ithaka Study Shows Shifting Priorities Among Academic Librarians,” the author, Ian Chant, discusses the findings of their library survey from 499 library deans and directors of small and large academic institutions that place information literacy skills highest among the rankings of priorities and challenges facing their academic institutions. They found that 97% of institutions reported helping undergraduates with information literacy skills as very important, where in 2010 the same survey found supporting faculty research and scholarship the most important at 85%. In this year’s survey, only 68% reported faculty research and scholarship as very important. Institutions mention they have found challenges in supporting this shift and in identifying areas that need development to meet the changing landscape of undergraduates. Click here to read the full survey from Ithaka.