College & Research Libraries News

Academic Library Workers in Conversation is a C&RL News series focused on elevating the everyday conversations of library professionals. The wisdom of the watercooler has long been heralded, but this series hopes to go further by minimizing barriers to traditional publishing with an accessible format. In past issues, the topics were proposed by the authors. However, during 2026, this feature will…

At the start of a first-year instruction session at George Washington University (GW), Taylor Baugher introduced herself as a research services librarian and asked her class, somewhat on a whim, “What do you think a librarian does?” After a brief pause, a student timidly raised their hand and said, “You get the resources that we use.” At its heart, yes, this is librarianship, or at least one form…

This article grows out of a professional dialogue among three librarians working at different career stages: Ava Wallace, an early career archival intern and LIS student; Russell Michalak, a mid-career library director at a Hispanic-Serving Institution; and Trevor A. Dawes, an established university librarian and national leader. Their exchange reflects a shared commitment to examining both the o…

Florida Atlantic University Libraries has joined the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL) as of April 1, 2026, adding a new milestone in Florida Atlantic University’s continued growth as an R1 research institution. The decision was approved by a vote of ASERL member libraries during the consortium’s fall 2025 membership meeting. As an ASERL member, Florida Atlantic University Li…

Elizabeth “Liz” Call, recently named head of Penn State University Libraries’ Eberly Family Special Collections Library, has also been named the Dorothy Foehr Huck Chair for Special Collections. The purpose of the chair is to enhance the university’s commitment to the commonwealth of Pennsylvania by providing a distinguished faculty member in the University Libraries the opportunity to continue a…

Monitoring institutional research contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is becoming increasingly crucial for evidence-based decision-making in academic and research libraries. In the era of big data, libraries not only store publications but also support research analysis and visualization to develop institutional strategies. Researchers at the National Agency for Research and…

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for research and writing has left librarians with a new challenge: how to teach ethical use of AI in a time of little to no regulation, pending court cases regarding copyright, and concerns over the level of environmental impact and potential stunting of critical-thinking skills. Students’ views of and experiences with AI are mixed,1 thoug…

In recent years, generative artificial intelligence (AI) content has been integrated into everyday life. Generative AI tools produce meal plans and shape travel itineraries, often without clear source acknowledgment or attribution. Rapid expansion of generative AI warrants renewed attention and focus on the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education’s Information Has Value frame.…

This article explores the topics and issues that trended in academic libraries over the past two years. It draws on research and initiatives from librarians across the profession, highlighting the challenges libraries face. To focus on the most pressing current trends, topics that have been covered in previous Top Trends or Environmental Scans are specifically excluded unless new and significant …

The widespread use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) applications has reshaped how people interact with and interpret information. Within higher education, these technologies are already influencing core academic practices, from research and writing to teaching and learning, raising important questions about authenticity, critical thinking, and responsible use. Although we have witnessed…

On February 13, 2026, the California State University, Long Beach University Library hosted a press conference announcing a federal $2.175 million community project funding sponsored by Congressman Robert Garcia. Garcia visited the library to formally present the funding, which will support the modernization, digitization, and expansion of the library’s Special Collections area. He noted that the…

People in the News listing is provided free of charge and is a great way to feature new appointments and personnel updates. Have yours featured in a future issue of C&RL News by emailing Editor-in-Chief David Free at dfree@ala.org

Academic libraries increasingly serve diverse student populations with varying needs, backgrounds, and learning preferences. The William H. Hannon Library (WHHL) at Loyola Marymount University has committed itself to creating “a library where inclusivity is automatic,”1 embedding diversity, equity, inclusivity, and anti-racism (DEIA) principles in collections, spaces, operations, and throughout a…

ACRL is pleased to recognize the recipients of its 2026 awards. The annual presentation of ACRL’s awards enables ACRL to honor the very best in academic and research librarianship

Academic Library Workers in Conversation is a C&RL News series focused on elevating the everyday conversations of library professionals. The wisdom of the watercooler has long been heralded, but this series hopes to go further by minimizing barriers to traditional publishing with an accessible format. In past issues, the topics were proposed by the authors. However, during 2026, this feature will…

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education has been grappling with the “Great Resignation” as employees leave jobs at higher rates than the industry has seen in years.1 Although turnover rates seem to be slowing, they still exceed pre-pandemic levels, with 33% of employees indicating they would be looking for new jobs within the next year.2 Employees that do stay may suffer from the “Great Det…

Multiple barriers contribute to undergraduates’ lack of involvement in research, including self-doubt, misperceptions about research, and naivete about resources. Furthermore, when research is highlighted, the focus is often on polished final products and described in specialized language that can make such experiences feel even more unattainable to students. We created a podcast focused on the h…

Metadata is often treated as the invisible scaffolding of library systems—standardized, technical, and impersonal on its face. Yet beneath its structured fields lie traces of human labor, professional history, and the personal relationships that sustain our work as librarians. These dimensions don’t always surface in formal description, but for those of us who encounter metadata daily, even a sin…

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is no longer a distant horizon for libraries— it is already reshaping how we teach, preserve, and connect communities with knowledge. The question is not whether AI belongs in libraries but rather how we integrate it in ways that are ethical, equitable, and aligned with our missions. This article is framed as a dialogue among colleagues at three differen…

The Library of Virginia has been approved as the newest member of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL), a significant opportunity that expands Virginia’s role in one of the nation’s most active regional research library consortia. The announcement follows a vote of ASERL’s membership at its fall 2025 meeting, where the organization welcomed the Library of Virginia into its g…