The report presents the findings of a survey of 84 library directors, university librarians, deans of libraries and other high ranking executives from 54 college and university libraries, concerning their experience with library services for higher education administration. The study looks at how academic libraries serve the research needs of higher ed administration, pinpointing the number that have formed special units or established specific library positions to serve the strategic research needs of college administration. The 60-page study also gives specific data on the extent to which – in the view of those interviewed – various administrative departments use the library for their strategic needs. Data is presented separately for a broad array of departments, including Enrollment-Marketing, Information Technology, University President’s Office, Technology Transfer-Sponsored Research, Office of Research Grants, Public Relations, Admissions, and International Student Services.
Just a few of the study’s many findings are that:
27% of institutions charging less than $7,000 per year in annual tuition had set up special units or assigned particular employees to serve the research needs of academic administration.
Colleges from Canada were more likely than those in the USA to form special units to serve academic administration.
The Office of Public Relations makes greater use of the library than most other administrative departments.