Academic libraries are fundamental in promoting equitable access to education but are often overlooked and underfunded. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified these inequities. This study investigates how 39 library deans and directors perceived decision-making by university administration during COVID-19's onset. Open-ended survey questions were sent to…

In the current environment for higher education, it has become critical for all of the departments and colleges within a university to become more aware of their place in the overall mission of the university. This is especially true of the academic library, which had relied upon a reputation as the "heart" of an academic institution for…

Supported by institutional commitments to community engagement, undergraduate students at universities across North America are participating in community-based research projects. These experiential learning activities allow students to collaborate with community partners to address issues in their communities, often resulting in co-creating…

This study examines perceptions of provosts from Canadian research-intensive universities regarding their institution's academic libraries. Interviews conducted with nine provosts explored how they perceive academic libraries in terms of alignment with institutional mission, how they envision the future of their libraries, and what they interpret…

College librarians do not always find the characteristics they wish their teaching and administrative colleagues to have: a genuine understanding of the library's mission in higher education; a clearer recognition of the professional librarian's craft and acceptance as a peer; and a reliable flow of communication and consultation. (Author/MSE)

Changes in information technology threaten the traditional role of the college library on campus. Library administrators must position the library politically as well as technologically to play a central role in services, technology, and organization, and to enable the library to retain an integral place in the university's intellectual life. (MSE)

A major conclusion reached by 18 university, academic and administrative officers, library directors, economists and management specialists, who met in October 1981 to explore issues related to the financial management of academic research libraries, is that current approaches to cost reduction are only short-term solutions. These approaches are…

This theme issue presents 14 articles that address the strategic planning process in academic libraries. Integrating library and university planning is discussed, and descriptions of planning at various colleges and universities include discussions of communication, decision making, and the incentives that started the strategic planning process.…

Discusses World Wide Web uses in a computer setting for university administrative purposes with a focus on how the library can enhance administrators' awareness of this tool and the potential benefits to the library from doing so. Sidebars present a sampling of World Wide Web sites that demonstrate university administrative applications.…

Librarians play a central role in advancing colleges' and universities' strategic priorities through constant collaboration. Embedding oneself at as many venues as possible will ensure that library staff, collections, and services are more fully integrated into all aspects of campus life. Participation by librarians helps the campus move forward…

A description of the campuswide computer system at Aston University (England) includes a profile of the institution, the information technology strategy adopted, a current local networking project, information technology development priorities for the near future, the role of the library and information service, and management and organizational…

Examines how price increases and substantial growth in the number of scholarly journals are logical outcomes of the scholarly communication system. It is argued that scholars, publishers, and university officials have an interest in continuing this system, and academic libraries are expected to provide a ready market even though they are not…

Describes the policy of shared governance with universities, in which faculty and administration participate in institutional decision making, and discusses the need for librarian participation in this process. Strategies to encourage librarian participation are outlined, including delineation of appropriate service activities and the provision of…

The issues addressed in this conference report concern budgeting, the resourceful manager, extramural funding, employer-employee interaction, management information systems, and management of the university in the future. Contents include: the keynote address by F. E. Balderston; "University Budgeting in an Era of Scarce Resources," by F. M. Bowen…