The Small to Mid-Size Academic Library: Standards & Frameworks

Call for Proposals

Editors

Camille Abdeljawad, Assistant Professor & Instruction & Outreach Librarian, Park University

Danielle Theiss, Assistant Professor & Director of Library, Academic, and Career Success Services, Park University 
 

Publisher

Association of College & Research Libraries
 

We are excited to invite innovative, creative, and practical chapter proposals for our upcoming publication, Standards & Frameworks: The Small to Mid-Size Academic Library Series from ACRL with an anticipated publication date of Spring 2026. Visit the publication's website for additional information and to submit your proposal by March 15, 2024.
 

Introduction

Assessment: The Small to Mid-Size Academic Library Series consists of four sections highlighting the importance and relevance of small to mid-sized academic libraries in implementation and utilization ALA frameworks and standards. While other volumes have been published about utilizing ACRL frameworks and standards within libraries, they often showcase libraries with extensive staff, budgets, and materials available to them. As librarians from a small-mid-size institution, we want to provide a volume that was aimed specifically at libraries found in the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) or College Libraries Section (CLS) of ACRL, as they often operate with minimal library staff and smaller budgets. We wanted to focus on how small to mid-size libraries utilize ACRL frameworks and standards to examine and assess their current practices and services and then utilize the standards and frameworks to advocate for financial, resource, services and personnel improvements and changes for the betterment of students and faculty.
 

Target Audience

The editors are seeking case study submissions from new to veteran library professionals currently working (or previously worked) at small-mid-size institutions. We also welcome submissions with collaborations from other higher education disciplines and/or departments. 
 

Objective and Focus

The purpose of this volume is to support small to mid-size institutions with limited staffing and/or budgets by showcasing creative approaches to utilization or implementation of ALA frameworks and standards.
 

Book Sections

The volume consists of three sections highlighting 5 case studies within each segment with a focus on utilizing frameworks and standards. The first section’s case studies will focus on the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. The second section will feature the Standards for Distance and Online Learning Library Services. The third section will highlight case studies aligned with the Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity: A Framework. And the final section will discuss creative approaches to the Standards for Libraries in Higher Education.
 

We invite proposals on the following topics or any other proposal aligned with the topic of utilizing Standards & Frameworks:

Section One: Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education 

• Creating a library instruction program based on the Framework 

• Updating an existing library instruction program based on the Framework

• Lesson plans for the different frames that can be used by others

• Showing the value of the new Framework to administration

• Impact of the new Framework on student success initiatives

• Impact of the new Framework on student persistence, retention, and course completion

• Working with faculty to develop new research assignments based on the Framework

• Incorporating the new Framework into an existing library assessment plan

• How to work with library administration/university administration on implementation of the Framework

Section Two: Standards for Distance and Online Learning Library Services

• Incorporating the Standards into an already existing distance learning library outreach program

• Incorporating the Standards into an already existing library assessment plan

• Utilizing the new Standards for implementing change in the library 

• Creating/Updating library instruction program based on the Standards

• Showing the value of the new Standards to administration

• Impact of the new Standards on student success initiatives

• Impact of the new Standards on student persistence, retention, and course completion

• Working with faculty to develop new research assignments based on the Standards

• How to work with library administration/university administration on implementation of the Standards

• Examples of advocating using the new Standards for fiscal budgetary changes, personnel updates/changes, etc. 

Section Three: Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity: A Framework

• Incorporating the Proficiencies into an already existing library outreach program

• Incorporating the Proficiencies into an already existing library assessment plan

• Utilizing the new Proficiencies for implementing change in the library 

• Creating/Updating library instruction program based on the Proficiencies

• Lesson plans utilizing the Proficiencies that can be used by others

• Showing the value of the new Proficiencies to administration

• Impact of the new Proficiencies on student success initiatives

• Impact of the new Standards on student persistence, retention, and course completion

• Working with faculty to develop new research assignments based on the Proficiencies 

• How to work with library administration/university administration on implementation of the Standards

Section Four: Standards for Libraries in Higher Education

• Incorporating the Standards into an already existing library assessment plan

• Utilizing the new Standards for implementing change in the library 

• Creating/Updating library instruction/outreach program based on the Standards

• Showing the value of the new Standards to administration

• Impact of the new Standards on student success initiatives

• Impact of the new Standards on student persistence, retention, and course completion

• How to work with library administration/university administration on implementation of the Standards

• Examples of advocating using the new Standards for fiscal budgetary changes, personnel updates/changes, etc. 

 

Submit your proposal

Proposals should include: 1) the names and contact information for all authors; 2) a clear description of the case study you are proposing and how it aligns with the call for proposals.

 

For more information and to submit your proposal, please see the volume’s website.

Proposals are due March 15, 2024.

For questions, please contact the editors at: smallmidlibraryseries@gmail.com

 

Submit your Proposal!