The Association of Research Libraries Engages Athenaeum21 for Library Assessment Program Visioning

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has engaged Athenaeum21 Consulting to collaborate with their Assessment Program Visioning Task Force in the development of a forward-looking program that advances the organizational outcomes of the 21st-century research library. The Task Force is charged to consider all current and potential ARL assessment-related services, including the goals, outcomes, deliverables, staff, and other resources related to the existing metrics and tools. A critical component of the recommendations will be consideration of the types of issues ARL libraries will need to address in their measurement and evaluation program in the context of contemporary movements in higher education. The project will culminate in a report of research findings and recommendations to the ARL Board and membership at the October 2017 ARL Members meeting in Washington, DC.

About the Association of Research Libraries

ARL is a nonprofit organization of 124 research libraries at comprehensive, research institutions in the US and Canada that share similar research missions, aspirations, and achievements. The Association's importance and distinction are born from its membership and the nature of the institutions represented. ARL member libraries make up a large portion of the academic and research library marketplace, spending more than $1.4 billion every year on library materials.

ARL’s mission is to influence the changing environment of scholarly communication and the public policies that affect research libraries and the diverse communities they serve. ARL pursues this mission by advancing the goals of its member research libraries, providing leadership in public and information policy to the scholarly and higher education communities, fostering the exchange of ideas and expertise, facilitating the emergence of new roles for libraries.

About Athenaeum21 Consulting

Athenaeum21 (A21) is an international digital strategy and innovation consultancy serving organizations that want to derive more value from their past and future investments in data, information, and knowledge management, and from the technologies that support them. A21’s approach includes data-driven, iterative assessment, strategy, and implementation, always aligning organizational missions and goals with end-user needs and behaviors. A21 clients include leading organizations in the research and development, publishing, higher education, and cultural heritage sectors in North America and Europe.