College & Research Libraries (C&RL)

New article: Search data privacy in academic libraries: Qualitative perspectives of members of marginalized groups.

Authors: Laura W. Gariepy. This article examines undergraduate students’ attitudes towards search data privacy in academic libraries, with a focus on the experiences and perspectives of members of underrepresented groups. . .Most students were comfortable with search data collection if it benefited them; however, a notable number of those who opposed it expressed strong concerns about potential harm to vulnerable or underrepresented groups. These privacy concerns were primarily voiced by members of marginalized groups, emphasizing the importance of considering student perspectives, especially those who may be most vulnerable to adverse effects of data use. . .The purpose of this article is to amplify those voices.

"Search Data Privacy in Academic Libraries" highlights how marginalized students view search data privacy. Many trust libraries, but others, especially those vulnerable to bias and surveillance, prefer strict privacy or data purging.

Read the article: bit.ly/crl-871-56

New article: The state of funding for curriculum materials centers and collections

Authors: Caitlin Stewart and Jenelle Jensen. Using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, researchers analyzed whether there was a correlation between education student enrollment and curriculum materials center/collection (CMC) budget across eighty universities in the United States. Findings indicate that there is a positive correlation between those variables, although the relationship is weak. Universities with large education programs tend to have better-funded CMCs; however, variability across institutions is still significant. Findings suggest that many university CMCs may be comparatively underfunded based on student enrollment in education and historical trends.

CMC budgets do rise with education student enrollment but only slightly. Variation is huge, and many centers now have less buying power than they had in 1985!

Underfunded CMCs = limited access to the curriculum materials future teachers need.

🔗 bit.ly/crl-871-39

New article: Interventions for reducing, preventing, or overcoming librarian burnout: A scoping review.

Authors: Natalie Logue, Jessica C. Garner, and Stephanie Hendren. This scoping review categorizes the interventions discussed or explored among academic librarians to address the issue of burnout. Through a scoping review of the literature going back as far as 1982, the pattern of interventions suggests a strong emphasis on the individual managing their burnout through personal actions. However, in more recent years there has been a significant increase in the suggestion of organizations taking responsibility to reduce rates of burnout. More quantitative research is needed before specific interventions can be identified as effective.

🚨 New in C&RL: “Interventions for Reducing, Preventing, or Overcoming Librarian Burnout: A Scoping Review”

The study shows a major shift from individual “self-care” fixes toward organizational responsibility and healthier work cultures.

Read it online for free: bit.ly/crl-871-20

New Article: Finding Their Own Way: A Phenomenological Study of Academic Librarians’ Experiences with Tenure

Authors Jolene Cole This article examines the advantages and disadvantages of the tenure system in academic libraries and the perceptions of tenured and tenure-track librarians regarding their professional identities in relation to tenure. Utilizing the participants’ descriptions of their professional experiences, the study aims to (a) critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the tenure system and (b) understand how the status of tenure impacts librarians’ professional identities within their respective institutions.

📢 New in C&RL: “Finding Their Own Way: A Phenomenological Study of Academic Librarians’ Experiences with Tenure” by Jolene Cole

This insightful study explores how tenure shapes the professional identities, opportunities, and challenges of academic librarians

Read the full article: bit.ly/crl-8712

Table of Contents for College & Research Libraries, January 2026, Volume 87, Number 1.

The January issue of College & Research Libraries is available to read online for free: bit.ly/crl-871

Our newest issue features six articles and three book reviews.

🗓️ Between the Lines: A Deep Dive into Book Reviewing

Join Melissa Lockaby (C&RL’s Book Review Editor) for a session on how to craft book reviews that go beyond summaries.

Learn how to balance concise writing with thoughtful analysis and make your reviews truly impactful.

🔗 bit.ly/crl-reviews

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