Examining Collection-Related Language within Academic Library Strategic Plans

A Thematic Analysis

Authors

  • Anne Larrivee West Chester University Libraries

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/palrap.2025.311

Keywords:

Academic Libraries, Collection Strategy, Priorities, Collection Development, collection management, Trends, thematic analysis, Strategic Planning

Abstract

Though collections are often identified as a core component for academic libraries, studies show that shifting priorities have taken some attention away from the traditional aspects of collections (ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee, 2024; Dempsey, 2020; Rieger, 2019). Data from this thematic analysis of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) academic library strategic plans presented the variety of terms and language being used to describe collection-related activities. Though evidence shows that most ARL libraries still highlight collections, the way collections are referenced has broadened. Current framing of collections often places emphasis on services and user needs. This analysis draws attention to how collections are featured within strategic plans from some of the leading academic research libraries. This research is relevant for library strategic planning discussions and for those who are following trends of library collection practices.

References

ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee. (2024). 2024 Top trends in academic libraries: A review of trends and issues. College and Research Libraries New, 85(6), 231-258. https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/article/view/26379/34314

Dempsey, L., Malpas, C., & Lavoie, B. (2014). Collection directions: The evolution of library collections and collecting. Portal: Libraries and the Academy, 14(3), 393-423. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2014.0013.

Dempsey, L. (2020). Library discovery directions. In S. McLeish (Ed.), Resource discovery for the twenty-first century library: Case studies and perspectives on the role of IT in user engagement and empowerment (pp.4-13) Facet Publishing. https://doi.org/10.25333/p8j4-1411

Edquist, S., Audunson, R., & Huvila, I. (2022). Do collections still constitute libraries, archives, and museums?. In C.H. Rasmussen, K. Rydbeck, & H. Larsen (Eds.), Libraries, archives, and museums in transition: Changes, challenges, and convergence in a Scandinavian perspective (pp. 73-86). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003188834

Fraser-Arnott, M. (2021). Embracing the non-traditional: Incorporating non-traditional elements into library identity. Urban Library Journal, 27(1), 1-20. https://academicworks.cuny.edu/ulj/vol27/ iss1/3

Hallnäs, H. (2019). The meaning of collections for the identity of academic libraries: The document concept as a tool for understanding. Proceedings from the Document Academy, 11(2), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.35492/docam/11/2/2

Huang, Y., Cox, A.M., Cox, J. (2023). Artificial intelligence in academic library strategy in the United Kingdom and the Mainland of China. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 49(6), 102772. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2023.102772

Hulbert, I.G. (2023, March 30). US library survey 2022: Navigating the new normal. Ithaka S+R. https://sr.ithaka.org/publications/us-library-survey-2022/

Kohl, D.F. (2009). Collection development in the ARL library. In M.J. Bates & M.N. Maack (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science (pp. 570-584). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1081/E-ELIS3-120043881

Kwanya, T. (2023). From collections to connections: Transforming libraries to knowledge centres. In M.C. Fombad, C.T. Chisita, O.B. Onyancha, & M.K. Minishi-Majanja (Eds.), Information services for a sustainable society: Current developments in an era of information disorder (pp.320-341) De Gruyter Saur. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110772753-022

Lankes, D. (2011). The atlas of new librarianship. MIT Press.

Levine-Clark, M. (2014). Access to everything: Building the future academic library collection. Portal: Libraries and the Academy, 14(3), 425-437. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2014.0015

Linden, J., Tudesco, S., & Dollar, D. (2018). Collections as a service: A research library's perspective. College & Research Libraries, 79(1), 86-99. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.79.1.86

Macaulay, D. (2023). Applications of diversity language to descriptions of collection development activities at academic libraries: An exploratory analysis of strategic plans and diversity information webpages. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 49(4), 102739. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2023.102739

Morrison, H. (2007). Rethinking collections-Libraries and librarians in an open age: A theoretical view. First Monday, 12(10). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v12i10.1965

Oyedokun, T. T. (2024). Navigating the dynamics of present-day academic libraries: An in-depth analysis of strategies, challenges, and emerging trends. IFLA Journal, 0(0), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352241291907

Rieger, O.Y. (2019, June 6). What’s a collection anyway?. Ithaka S+R. https://sr.ithaka.org/publications/whats-a-collection-anyway/

Saunders, L. (2015). Academic libraries' strategic plans: top trends and under-recognized areas. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 41(3), 285-291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2015.03.011

Scherlen, Allan, and Alex D. McAllister (2019). Voices versus visions: A commentary on academic library collections and new directions. Collection Management, 44(2–4): 389–395. https://doi.org/10.1080/01462679.2018.1547999

Smith, C. R. (2017). Are we throwing out the books with the bathwater? Dilemmas over new directions in library design. International Journal of the Book, 15(3), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.18848/1447-9516/CGP/v15i03/1-10

Soules, A. (2014). Collections, selection, access: Where next?. New Library World, 115(5/6), 263-271. https://doi.org/10.1108/NLW-04-2014-0040

Way, D. (2017). Transforming monograph collections with a model of collections as a service. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 17(2). 283-294. https://doi.org/10.1353/pla.2017.0017

Downloads

Published

2025-11-19

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2025): Pennyslvania Libraries: Research & Practice

Section

Research

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Anne Larrivee

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. The Author retains copyright in the Work, where the term “Work” shall include all digital objects that may result in subsequent electronic publication or distribution.
  2. Upon acceptance of the Work, the author shall grant to the Publisher the right of first publication of the Work.
  3. The Author shall grant to the Publisher and its agents the nonexclusive perpetual right and license to publish, archive, and make accessible the Work in whole or in part in all forms of media now or hereafter known under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License or its equivalent, which, for the avoidance of doubt, allows others to copy, distribute, and transmit the Work under the following conditions:
    1. Attribution—other users must attribute the Work in the manner specified by the author as indicated on the journal Web site;
    with the understanding that the above condition can be waived with permission from the Author and that where the Work or any of its elements is in the public domain under applicable law, that status is in no way affected by the license.
  4. The Author is able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the nonexclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the Work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), as long as there is provided in the document an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  5. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post online a prepublication manuscript (but not the Publisher’s final formatted PDF version of the Work) in institutional repositories or on their Websites prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work. Any such posting made before acceptance and publication of the Work shall be updated upon publication to include a reference to the Publisher-assigned DOI (Digital Object Identifier) and a link to the online abstract for the final published Work in the Journal.
  6. Upon Publisher’s request, the Author agrees to furnish promptly to Publisher, at the Author’s own expense, written evidence of the permissions, licenses, and consents for use of third-party material included within the Work, except as determined by Publisher to be covered by the principles of Fair Use.
  7. The Author represents and warrants that:
    1. the Work is the Author’s original work;
    2. the Author has not transferred, and will not transfer, exclusive rights in the Work to any third party;
    3. the Work is not pending review or under consideration by another publisher;
    4. the Work has not previously been published;
    5. the Work contains no misrepresentation or infringement of the Work or property of other authors or third parties; and
    6. the Work contains no libel, invasion of privacy, or other unlawful matter.
  8. The Author agrees to indemnify and hold Publisher harmless from Author’s breach of the representations and warranties contained in Paragraph 6 above, as well as any claim or proceeding relating to Publisher’s use and publication of any content contained in the Work, including third-party content.

Revised 7/21/2020. Revision Description: Updated to APA 7th style.