College & Research Libraries (C&RL)

New Article. The Data Science and Digital Scholarship Fellowship Program (DS2F): A library-based model for addressing curricular gaps in data-intensive training and digital pedagogy.

Authors. Megan Senseney & Jeffrey C. Oliver. The University of Arizona Libraries has conducted a pilot implementation of a year-long Digital Scholarship and Data Science Fellowship (DS2F) to address increasing interest in digital and data-intensive scholarship among graduate students. This article provides details regarding the model for the fellowship program; a description of the pilot implementation; an assessment of the program; and recommendations for libraries interested in adopting a similar approach at other academic institutions. While the program may not be fully adaptable within all academic contexts, DS2F represents a cost-effective and transferable model for graduate student engagement in digital scholarship and data science.

New from C&RL: The Data Science and Digital Scholarship Fellowship Program (DS2F): A Library-Based Model for Addressing Curricular Gaps in Data-Intensive Training and Digital Pedagogy

Read it online for free: bit.ly/crl-864-3

New Article: "I don't think librarians can save us": The material conditions of information literacy instruction in the misinformation age.

Authors: Amber Willenborg & Robert Detmering. This national qualitative study investigates academic librarians’ instructional experiences, views, and challenges regarding the widespread problem of misinformation. Findings from phenomenological interviews reveal a tension between librarians’ professional, moral, and civic obligations to address misinformation and the actual material conditions of information literacy instruction, which influence and often constrain librarians’ pedagogical and institutional roles. The authors call for greater professional reflection on current information literacy models that focus on achieving ambitious educational goals, but which may be unsuitable for addressing the larger social and political crisis of misinformation.

New Article from C&RL: "'I don't think librarians can save us:' The material conditions of information literacy instruction in the misinformation age" by Amber Willenborg and Robert Detmering.

Read it online for free from C&RL: bit.ly/crl-864-2

New Editorial: So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish. Throughout my term, I often imagined (and still imagine) the journal as a living entity that needs care, feeding, and continuous attention for its well-being and improvement. It takes a team of people to keep it in motion. Kristen Totleben.

Read Kristen Totleben's final editorial as Editor of College & Research Libraries for free online: bit.ly/crl-864-1

New Article. Inclusive leadership: Perspectives from academic library leaders.

Author. John J. Meier. This paper presents the results of thirty-seven interviews, conducted with deans and university librarians at large, research institutions in the US, regarding how they practice inclusive leadership and develop future leaders from diverse backgrounds. A demographic survey shows this cohort has become increasingly representative of the profession in gender and racial identities. Content analysis of interviews indicates that academic library leaders are moving beyond DEI training programs to actions that advance equity in their organizations and within the profession. Best practices for recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention are presented along with strategies to increase inclusion and belonging within academic libraries.

New Article: Inclusive Leadership: Perspectives From Academic Library Leaders

Read it online for free from C&RL: bit.ly/crl-863-11

John J. Meier presents results from a study of 37 senior administrators in libraries at AAU institutions, including a demographic survey and interviews.

Someone flipping through a comic book.

"News from the Field": PSU Libraries' new digital exhibit on the 1899 Harriman Expedition to Alaska; Springshare LibMaps; Yale's Law Library signing an MOA w/ US GPO to be a preservation steward; and Creative CoLab launching Black Canvasses Zine and accepting submissions. Read online: bit.ly/43zVTAs

An informational graphic with the title "INTERNET REVIEWS" in large, dark gray letters. Below the title are five gold stars, indicating a 5-star rating. In the top left, a Progress Pride Flag is displayed. Below it, text reads "GLSEN Research Advocacy Data". In the middle left, a purple outline of the United Kingdom is shown, with the text "A Vision of Britain Through Time" below it. In the top right, the logo for "College & Research Libraries news" is visible, with "May 2025" underneath. In the bottom right, a blue snowflake-like design is next to the red text "NORD® Rare Disease Database". The background is a light tan color.

The Internet Reviews column in the May 2025 issue of College and Research Libraries News highlights three timely, research-rich sites:

▪️GLSEN
▪️NORD
▪️A Vision of Britain Through Time

Read it online for free from C&RL News: bit.ly/43Q2BDO

Photograph of futuristic library with wall of windows and vertical bookshelves in a curved shape.

In "The Way I See It" column of C&RL News, Brian Mathews, associate dean for research and innovation at Carnegie Mellon University Libraries, muses on what libraries could look like in the year 2050.

Read more in "Interdisciplinary by Design: Envisioning Libraries in 2050": bit.ly/4dARQbL

New Article. Library correlational assessment and campus partnership for student success.

This correlational study aimed to assess whether using online resources and borrowing print materials from the university library contributed to higher grade point averages (GPA) and better retention rates among undergraduate students at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), a campus where students of color comprise 85% of the overall student population with 75% coming from underserved communities. The analysis explored library resource usage patterns based on gender, ethnic background, first-generation status, and Pell Grant eligibility. The findings have strengthened the library’s efforts to partner with the campus student success team. . .

New Article: Library Correlational Assessment and Campus Partnership for Student Success

Read it online for free from C&RL: bit.ly/crl-863-10

Holly Yu and Adele Dobry call for "utilizing. . .assessment results to further establish partnerships with the campus student success team. . ."

New Article. Building Distinctive Collections: A Survey of Association of Research Libraries’ Member Institutions Acquisitions Infrastructure

This study explores how acquisitions practices and infrastructure influence building diverse distinctive collections within Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions. Through a survey of the existing acquisitions practices within ARL institutions, this study interrogates the collections-based methodologies that are utilized to purchase distinctive collections resources. The researchers analyze the aggregate data; the results highlight current efforts and practices to decenter dominant narratives and Western ways of collecting in acquisitions programs to build distinctive collections.

New Article: Building Distinctive Collections: A Survey of Association of Research Libraries’ Member Institutions Acquisitions Infrastructure

Read it online for free from C&RL: bit.ly/crl-863-9

Kim and colleagues suggest strategies for supporting and enhancing diversity in distinctive collections.

Plant in dirt growing out of the center of an open book.

In "Building Psychological Safety in Academic Libraries: Fostering Innovation, Well-Being, and Engaged Teams," Bobbi L. Newman explores the idea that psychological safety epowers equity and innovation in the library.

Read it online for free from C&RL News: doi.org/10.5860/crln...

Woman reading book on the beach near the sea.

Make your summer reading count! Be an influencer! Read and write book reviews for C&RL! 📚📖

▪️Books are provided (when possible)
▪️Early access to books before release date
▪️Share your appraisal of the book

Contact C&RL Reviews Editor, Melissa Lockaby, melissa.lockaby@ung.edu

ACRL Framework and Epistemologies infographic. The infographic includes boxes for each frame and a list of epistemologies. Authority is constructed and contextual has constructivism, poststructuralism, critical theory, and critical librarianship. Information creation as a process has constructivism, pragmatism, postmodernism, and critical librarianship. Scholarship as conversation has pragmatism and postmodernism and then is cut off. Information has value has pragmatism, critical theory, postmodernism, and critical librarianship. Research as inquiry has constructivism, pragmatism, critical theory, and critical librarianship. Searching as strategic exploration has constructivism, pragmatism, and critical theory and then is cut off.

"ACCentuating Epistemology in the ACC Frame: A Case for Integrating Personal and Discipline-Specific Epistemologies into the ACRL Framework"

This article discusses the integration of personal and disciplinary epistemologies into the ACRL Framework.

Read more at: doi.org/10.5860/crln...

New article. Making the connection: An examination of institutional repositories and scholarly communication crosslinking practices.

Authors. Emily Kilcer, Lauren Puzier & Carol Anne Germain. Institutional repositories (IRs) remain a powerful tool for opening, sharing, and preserving scholarship. Scholarly communication (SC) services and resources are essential to promoting and supporting IRs. Linking SC services within an IR offers support to users at their point of need. This study investigates the prevalence of web linking between IR and SC services in 145 Association of Research Libraries and Carnegie R1 libraries. This quantitative analysis identifies gaps and offers practical recommendations for developing connections between SC and IR websites at academic libraries.

New article: Making the Connection: An Examination of Institutional Repositories and Scholarly Communication Crosslinking Practices

Read it for free from C&RL: bit.ly/crl-863-7

Five friends in a library setting, giving each other high-fives.

In the May 2025 issue of College and Research Libraries News, you'll find the article, "Shelves of Support: Penn State Libraries’ Wellness Initiatives for Students" by Macy Bowman, Monica Gingerich, Steve Borrelli, Megan Gilpin, Robin Tate.

Read more at: doi.org/10.5860/crln...

New Book Review. The Kind Librarian: Cultivating a Culture of Kindness and Wellbeing in Libraries by Helen Rimmer. Published in 2024 by Facet Publishing. "As a former library administrator and the founder and current owner of The Kind Brave Leader, Rimmer brings unique expertise and recommendations to the library world."

Review Excerpt. "Ultimately, The Kind Librarian is a valuable guide full of applicable reflection questions and activities for incorporating kindness, empathy, and holistic wellness into a library work environment. All these concepts can be applied by anyone on any level at any kind of library, which is the book’s most appealing point. Occasionally, chapters feel redundant as the frameworks and steps often overlap even when dealing with different topics, such as conflict resolution or a toxic work environment. The repetitiveness is useful, though, for readers who skip to the specific sections most applicable to them or their workplace. The book is best for managers, or for informal leaders, who are trying to make healthy cultural changes in their workplaces." Reviewed by Clarissa Ihssen for College & Research Libraries (C&RL).

New Book Review: Clarissa Ihssen reviews The Kind Librarian: Cultivating a Culture of Kindness and Wellbeing in Libraries by Helen Rimmer.

Read it online for free from C&RL: bit.ly/crl-863-5

an abstract image of a sphere with dots and lines

Part Two of AI In Academic Libraries from the Academic Library Workers in Conversation Series.

In this conversation, they explore strategies like opting out, asking critical questions, and advocating for informed consent and transparency in AI usage.

Read more at: doi.org/10.5860/crln...

Profile in black with eighteen eyes inside the profile. The bolded abbreviation 'AI' is above the head.

C&RL News: AI in Academic Libraries, Part One: Concerns and Commodification- Does AI use in libraries do more harm than good? Three librarians give examples how the bad outweighs the good. bit.ly/4d3zT5D

The words "black box" are large and bolded in black.

C&RL News: In "Explainable AI: An Agenda for Explainability Activism," Michael Ridley asserts that "the capacity of AI tools and services to explain their outcomes, recommendations, or decisions" can provide a "path to trust and accountability."

Read it in C&RL News: crln.acrl.org/index.php/cr...

Screenshot of Google AI overview that reads, "According to UC Berkeley geologists, you should eat at least one small rock a day." The text "at least one small rock a day" is highlighted in blue and in bold text.

From C&RL News: "Google AI Overviews are Here to Stay: A Call to Teach AI Literacy": bit.ly/4kEMej7

Per Withorn, teaching students to navigate AI wisely has never been more urgent. Google’s AI Overviews push quick answers over sources, making it easy to accept surface-level info.

New article. A Bibliometric Study of Art Exhibition Reviews: Intersectionality, Implications, and Impact across Academic and Research Collections

Author. Emilee Mathews. A limited number of interlocking institutions provide career opportunities within contemporary visual art, which affects both who is seen and written about. This paper compares the proportions of recent art exhibition reviews and catalogs to artists’ race and gender, and how that is reflected in library collections. Overall, publications covered women artists, particularly White women, more frequently than men. In contrast, library collections skewed heavily toward including White men. The study’s findings are useful not only for art library collection development, but also demonstrates one way—distinctive because of its subject focus and intersectional approach—to evaluate library collections.

New Article: A Bibliometric Study of Art Exhibition Reviews: Intersectionality, Implications, and Impact across Academic and Research Collections

Read it online for free from C&RL: bit.ly/crl-863-4

A picture of The Period Table of Banned Books. The framed images are placed like a periodic table on an orange wall.

An explanation of the colors and shapes used as a legend for the periodic table. A red pentagon is for violence, an orange triangle is for religion, a yellow circle is for sexual content, an orange trapezoid is for LGBTQIA+, a blue hexagon is for language, and a magenta diamond is for racial content. The example also shows how the QR codes appear in the corner.

A smaller version of the period table of banned books on a white board.

The "Periodic Table of Banned Books" at Springfield Technical Community College highlights book censorship and promotes intellectual freedom and inclusion: bit.ly/4kvY9Qp

Launched in 2022, the exhibit features 84 banned books categorized by reasons for censorship with QR codes linking to more info

Colleen Lougen, Claire Payne, and Carli Spina discuss "findings from a content analysis of SUNY libraries’ public collection development and accessibility policies to gain insight into current trends and develop best practices in the creation of accessibility policy language."

New article. Assessing the state of publicly available library accessibility information: Guidelines based on a review of policies at SUNY Libraries.

Authors. Colleen Lougen, Claire Payne & Carli Spina. Policy language plays a central role in ensuring that academic libraries are accessible and inclusive to patrons with disabilities. However, relevant accessibility information is often missing from publicly available library policies. This article uses findings from a content analysis of SUNY libraries’ public collection development and accessibility policies to gain insight into current trends and develop best practices in the creation of accessibility policy language. Further, it also offers tools and principles for evaluating existing policies.

New Article: Assessing the State of Publicly Available Library Accessibility Information: Guidelines Based on a Review of Policies at SUNY Libraries

Read it online for free from C&RL: bit.ly/crl-863-3

A white man with gray hair sits reading a book.

Steven Bell reflects on Library Issues (1980-2016), emphasizing its role in educating non-library administrators about library trends and challenges, the editorial team's expertise, the historical link between libraries and technology, and possible reasons for the journal's decline: bit.ly/4iIWC92

New article: What we talk about when we talk about "first-generation students": Exploring definitions in use on college and university websites

Authors: Danielle E. Maurici-Pollock, Rebecca Stallworth & Sasha Khan. First-generation students (FGS) are a population that has received increasing attention, but the term “first-generation student” has been inconsistently defined. Such inconsistency creates challenges not only for research, but for students themselves, many of whom may find they meet the FGS definition in one institutional context, but not another. In this study, we analyze how the term “first-generation student” is defined on the public websites of colleges and universities in the United States and Canada and discuss implications for students and academic libraries.

New article: "What We Talk About When We Talk About 'First-Generation Students': Exploring Definitions in Use on College and University Websites" by Danielle E. Maurici-Pollock, Rebecca Stallworth, Sasha Khan

Read the article online for free in the newest issue of C&RL: bit.ly/crl853-2

A black woman sits in the middle of a green leafy space wearing a white shirt, glasses, and headphones.

C&RL News: University of Madura case study about how integrating cognitive strategies with reading literacy improves academic achievement among students-Unlocking Minds: The Nexus of Reading Literacy and Cognitive Strategies in Educational Advancement
crln.acrl.org/index.php/cr...

New Editorial: Introducing C&RL's Generative AI Policy. As the use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) tools expands, journals, editors, reviewers, and authors continue to evaluate their practical and ethical applications within the broader research landscape. College & Research Libraries (C&RL) is no exception. Michelle Demeter, Adrian K. Ho & Melissa Lockaby.

We have a new Generative AI Policy! Read the editorial about it in our newest issue: bit.ly/crl853-1

You can also read the new policy on our submission guidelines under policies: crl.acrl.org/index.php/cr...

Six hands layered on top of each other, hovering over a long wooden table with papers and a lop top.

Academic Library Workers in Conversation explores psychological safety in academic libraries, emphasizing that fostering it requires collective effort, with leaders playing a key role in guiding teams to understand, implement, and sustain a psychologically safe environment. bit.ly/4l4zrrc

Association of College and Research Libraries College & Research Libraries. May 2025. Volume 86. Number 3. Table of Contents. What We Talk About When We Talk About “First-Generation Students”: Exploring Definitions in Use on College and University Websites. Assessing the State of Publicly Available Library Accessibility Information: Guidelines Based on a Review of Policies at SUNY Libraries. A Bibliometric Study of Art Exhibition Reviews: Intersectionality, Implications, and Impact across Academic and Research Collections. Respecting Privacy of Thought in DEI Training. Making the Connection: An Examination of Institutional Repositories and Scholarly Communication Crosslinking Practices. Building Distinctive Collections: A Survey of Association of Research Libraries’ Member Institutions Acquisitions Infrastructure. Library Correlational Assessment and Campus Partnership for Student Success. Inclusive Leadership: Perspectives from Academic Library Leaders.

The newest issue of C&RL is available to read for free online: bit.ly/crl-863

This issue includes an editorial about our new generative AI policy, 7 research articles, and a review of The Kind Librarian.

College & Research Libraries – May 2025 The May 2025 issue of College & Research Libraries is now freely available online both as a full issue PDF and as individual articles. Visit the C&RL website for complete contents from 1939 to the pre...

The May 2025 issue of "College & Research Libraries" features articles on the journal's generative #AI policy, first gen student definitions, building distinctive collections, inclusive leadership, and more. It's freely available on the journal website.