This project aimed to cultivate library patrons’ interest in earth and space science, using research on how situations can trigger and support interest to deepen across time. The project featured a dynamic but low-tech library display that showcased thematic content to help patrons realize and develop their interest in earth and space science topics. Patrons engaged with and returned regularly to the display, which predicted their participation in additional activities outside of viewing the display, indicating deepening interest. This approach uses a passive program to help libraries build patrons’ interest in accessing science resources and programs.

This study seeks to understand the experiences of library administrators who have led a major library renovation project. Most often this person is an Associate Dean working on the Dean’s behalf. Six participants from large, public, research universities in the United States were interviewed for this study. The findings show that library administrators are largely unprepared to lead renovations in terms of formal education and training. Suggestions are offered to help library administrators become better prepared in areas related to renovations and provide implications in terms of funding, staffing practices, professional development, and organizational understanding.

The Northeast Florida Library Information Network (NEFLIN) prioritizes connecting its members with library staff working in other member libraries so that they can network, innovate, and problem solve. In 2019, NEFLIN created and launched the NEFLIN Expertise Database (NED), a searchable database of member profiles tagged with topics of expertise. As the database grew, NEFLIN staff discovered ways to maximize the functionality of NED by adding profiles for member libraries, interest groups, performers and trainers, and more. After one year of building the database, NEFLIN staff now looks forward to seeing how members will make use of this resource.

Government information librarians in academic libraries often serve multiple roles, providing public and technical services for government information along with other duties as assigned. This study conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 academic Federal Depository Library Program coordinators to better understand how they view the organizational design of their library. The study finds that coordinators are able to clearly identify their own priorities for government information. However, their ability to integrate these priorities with larger university and library goals depends on the presence of a strategic plan and a clear method by which to adapt priorities to a larger plan. The study also discusses themes of data services, physical collection legacies, and access and discovery of government information materials.

No one can predict the future but having a futures thinking framework is an important tool in any leader’s toolbox. Futuring is a systematic process for envisioning plausible outcomes and scenarios based on what we know today. Some trends on the horizon will become more prominent while others will recede and giving the possibilities consideration helps us understand why we do what we do. Leaders capable of futures thinking are better equipped to handle the incredible rate of change that is taking place around us, including both predictable and unpredictable drivers of change. This article presents several futuring methods and discusses their implications for library leadership.

This article describes a research study performed at Northeastern State University during the spring semester of 2020. The authors detail the initial phase of a website redesign process informed by responses gathered from an online survey of website design and functionality. Results from the patron experience survey were used to gauge respondents' level of satisfaction with the library website, as well as to inform potential redesign strategies. Data will be used to plan and assess the next phase of the university’s website design project. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for implementing and “going live” with a new library website. The methods presented are within the context of library planning and assessment, and may serve to inform future migration efforts for web design in an academic library setting.

A survey was performed over all university libraries within the Association of European Research Libraries (LIBER) in order to study how different methods of user input are utilized. Libraries using analysis based on explorative methods—such as UX and process mapping—report significantly increased user knowledge and perceived well-function. Over three-fourths of the respondents reported performing general user surveys. Surveys offer ease of collection, effectively gather researcher user group input and generate data suitable for communicating library value to stakeholders. However, it is resource-demanding to transfer findings into service changes, especially for smaller libraries, and results often support stepwise improvements rather than discovery of new services.

The hierarchical decision making structure of academic libraries and consequently established cultural norms can affect the implementation of project management, hindering effective stakeholder engagement and ongoing ownership of and accountability for library products and services. The Hesburgh Libraries at the University of Notre Dame offers a strategy for navigating structural issues which emphasizes making incremental organizational changes that empower agile decision making responsive to stakeholder demands at appropriate levels. This study, a discussion of the Libraries’ experience, focuses on the implementation of one specific role designed to improve the development and maintenance of library products and services, the product owner.

Concern about student wellbeing and related mental health is a global issue, and schools are increasingly expected to support student wellbeing. While the focus on libraries and wellbeing in research is more commonly on public libraries, school libraries can also play an important supportive role in this regard. Robust research evidence is needed from school library contexts to support targeted advocacy in order to enhance student wellbeing. This paper explores how school libraries may support student wellbeing by operating as safe spaces for young people, promoting and resourcing mental health and wellbeing initiatives, and supporting and promoting bibliotherapeutic practices and reading for pleasure. It then highlights implications for future research to support the development of a sound, research-supported evidence base for advocacy moving forward.

Library consortia are planning on how their funding, programs, and services may need to change with the societal tumult caused by the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. Most consortia in North America are either state agencies or non-profit corporations which may have different approaches and options available for solving substantial budget shortfalls. Changes may need to take place in staffing, programs, and services. Some consortia may have financial portfolios which may help on filling-in budget holes. Other consortia have applied for, and received, funds from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to help with staffing. Many library consortia will not see a quick recovery but may have long-term consequences as their member libraries and parent organizations try to recover.