Higher ed assessment: How do libraries measure up?

The CRD Spring Workshop “Assessment in higher ed: How do libraries measure up?” will be held at Bloomsburg University on Tuesday, May 17th, 2011. For Pennsylvania academic librarians working in state or ‘state-related’ colleges and universities, the topic is especially well-timed this year. I’m referring, of course, to the dramatic cuts in education funding proposed by Governor Tom Corbett that will reduce the State’s contribution to higher ed funding by 50%. The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (for which I work) receives about 30% of its funding from the State, so the cuts mean an effective funding decrease of about 15%. The ‘state-related institutions’ — Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Temple, and Lincoln — are also facing substantial cuts. The exact amount of the cuts remains to be seen, but it seems safe to assume cuts will come and accountability in higher ed will remain a top priority. Which brings me to the CRD Spring Workshop.

Dr. Megan Oakleaf, Syracuse University iSchool faculty member and author of the recent ACRL publication  Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and Report, is conducting the CRD workshop, leading attendees through several sessions designed to help them apply the study’s findings to their own institutions. The primary goal of the workshop is to better equip attendees to demonstrate the impact their libraries have on student learning and development. An afternoon panel session composed of an institutional administrator, an institutional researcher, a student affairs administrator, a library director with Middle States accreditation experience, and a vice-president from Middle States Commission on Higher Education will also provide attendees with an inside look at what administrators need in terms of data that demonstrates impact. Panel members so far include:

• Dr. Maureen McCreadie, Dean of Learning Resources, Bucks County Community College, Newtown, PA
• Dr. Ellie Fogarty, Vice President, Middle States Commission of Higher Education, Philadelphia
• Dr. Betty Harper, Director of Student Affairs Research & Assessment, Penn State University, College Park, PA
• Dr. Mary Anne Fedrick, Dean of College of Education and Human Development, Marywood University

Registration will open the first week of April, so stay tuned for more announcements and news about the workshop.

Linda Neyer, Vice Chair / Chair Elect, CRD