Key Moments in US Academic Libraries

Summary

• Academic libraries adapted to provide services for nontraditional students and to create subject-specific services.
• The increasing availability of digital resources has led to changes in how libraries provide services, emphasizing digital and information literacy.
• Academic Libraries have faced budget cuts, leading to a greater emphasis on demonstrating their value and impact and developing assessment and evaluation strategies.
• The changing role of libraries within higher education has led to a greater emphasis on collaboration and partnerships with other campus units.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the trend of digital resources and online services, requiring libraries to adapt quickly to provide virtual services and support.

Critical Moments in US Academic Libraries

Year	Event
1638	Harvard College Library, the first academic library in the United States, was established
1746	Princeton University Library is established
1776	College of William and Mary Library is established
1800s	Academic libraries primarily purchase books to support the curriculum
1876	American Library Association is founded
1900	Carnegie Library Endowment is established to fund academic libraries across the U.S.
1900s	Libraries began to build local collections to measure their prestige and distinction
1944	GI Bill is passed, providing veterans with educational benefits and increasing enrollment in colleges and universities
1950s	Federal investment in science, technology, and national defense research leads to the growth of academic and research libraries
1960s	Academic institutions focus more on undergraduate students' needs, leading to the growth of separate undergraduate libraries
1970s	Universities continue to increase their research focus and funding for library staffing, acquisitions, and technology
1980s	Libraries focus on meeting user needs with more support services such as specialized instruction, shared cataloging, and collection development
1990s	Libraries become more automated by adopting library circulation and cataloging management systems
2008	Financial crisis leads to budget cuts and changes in higher education, resulting in a greater emphasis on demonstrating the value and impact of libraries
2020	The COVID-19 pandemic accelerates the shift to remote learning and research, leading to increased emphasis on digital resources and online services.

1800s and 1900s

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, libraries shifted from purchasing books solely to support the curriculum to building local collections. 

This trend was partly driven by the desire to create unique and distinguished collections that attract scholars and researchers to their parent institutions. For example, Harvard University Library began to focus on collecting rare books and manuscripts, while the Library of Congress developed its collection of Americana. 

Carnegie 

The establishment of the Carnegie Library Endowment in 1900 was a significant development in the U.S. academic libraries' history. The endowment funded academic libraries nationwide, allowing them to build their collections and expand their services. In addition, this funding positively impacted the reputation and prestige of these libraries and their parent institutions. 

The funding from the Carnegie Library Endowment allowed academic libraries to purchase more books and other resources, which allowed them to expand their collections. This resource increase allowed libraries to support a broader range of educational programs and research areas, making them more valuable to their parent institutions. Additionally, the increased resources allowed libraries to develop unique collections, such as rare books and manuscripts, further enhancing their reputation and prestige. 

Year	Event
1881	Andrew Carnegie begins funding public libraries in his hometown of Dunfermline, Scotland
1883	Carnegie funded his first library in the United States in Braddock, Pennsylvania
1890	Carnegie donates $1 million to establish the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
1892	Carnegie created the Carnegie Library Endowment, which provides funding for the construction of libraries throughout the United States
1893	The first Carnegie library in New York City, the Aguilar Free Library, opens
1900	Carnegie donates $1.5 million to establish the Carnegie Institution for Science, which funds research in astronomy, biology, and geology
1901	The Carnegie Library of Homestead in Pennsylvania opens to the public
1901	Carnegie donates $5.2 million to establish the Carnegie Corporation of New York, which funds a variety of educational and cultural initiatives
1902	The Carnegie Library of Washington, D.C. opens, which later becomes the Library of Congress
1903	Carnegie donates $10 million to establish the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, which funds research and provides grants to colleges and universities
1904	Carnegie donates $1 million to establish the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University)
1911	Carnegie donates $10 million to establish the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, which promotes international cooperation and understanding
1914	Carnegie donates $6 million to establish the Carnegie Hero Fund, which recognizes acts of heroism
1917	Carnegie donated $1 million to establish the Carnegie Corporation Relief Fund, which provides aid to European countries affected by World War I
1919	Carnegie donated $3.5 million to establish the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust, which funds educational and cultural initiatives in the United Kingdom
1929	Carnegie donates $125 million to establish the Carnegie Corporation of New York, which continues to fund various educational and cultural initiatives.

Furthermore, the Carnegie Library Endowment funding allowed academic libraries to expand their services beyond traditional book lending. Libraries were able to hire more staff and develop new programs and services, such as interlibrary loans and reference services. These services allowed libraries to better serve the needs of their parent institutions and communities, enhancing their reputation and prestige.

Carnegie and Academic Libraries

Perhaps most interesting, Carnegie Library Endowment funding allowed academic libraries to modernize and improve their facilities. Libraries could build or renovate new buildings, providing students, faculty, and researchers better spaces. These updated facilities helped create a more welcoming and conducive environment for learning and research, further enhancing the reputation and prestige of academic libraries and their parent institutions. 

World War II

World War II significantly impacted academic libraries in the United States. However, as millions of veterans returned with educational benefits and the baby boomers began enrolling in colleges and universities, academic libraries faced new challenges and opportunities. In addition, federal investment in research related to science, technology, and national defense fueled academic and research libraries' growth. 

The GI Bill, passed in 1944, provided veterans with educational benefits, and millions took advantage of this opportunity. As a result, academic libraries were forced to adapt to the changing needs of their student populations. 

In addition, libraries began to provide services for nontraditional students, such as evening and weekend hours and distance learning services. In addition, the baby boomer generation began enrolling in colleges and universities in large numbers in the 1950s and 1960s. This increased demand for library services and academic libraries responded by expanding their collections and services. 

Libraries developed subject-specific services, such as science and engineering libraries, to meet the needs of the growing number of students in these fields. Federal investment in science, technology and national defense research played a significant role in the growth of academic libraries. In the 1950s, federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health started to provide funding in these areas. 

This funding provided academic and research libraries with resources to expand their collections and services in these subject areas. The evidence supporting the impact of World War II on academic libraries can be found in the history of libraries in the post-World War II era. For example, the number of academic libraries in the United States grew significantly during this period. 

In 1940, there were approximately 2,500 academic libraries in the U.S.; that number had increased to over 6,000. This growth was partly driven by increased student enrollment and federal investment in research. And the expansion of library collections during this period is evidenced by the increase in the volumes held by academic libraries. In 1940, academic libraries held approximately 80 million books; by 1970, that number had increased to over 300 million. 

This collection growth was driven by the need to support the growing number of students and research initiatives. After World War II, universities in the U.S. began to earn distinction through research. In the 1960s, academic institutions focused more on undergraduate students' needs. This led to the growth of separate undergraduate libraries, providing customized services for students and collaborating with faculty to develop information literacy programs. 

Library Computers

The development of computers and new technology revolutionized how libraries organized and shared bibliographic information, facilitating competition among research libraries and access to scholarly resources for faculty and students. Additionally, student enrollment at universities rose during the 1960s, increasing the demand for space and causing many universities to expand. 

Year	Event
1960s	The development of online cataloging systems (e.g., OCLC, RLIN)
1970s	The development of integrated library systems (ILS) that combined circulation, cataloging, and acquisitions modules
1980s	The growth of CD-ROM databases and the development of library automation software for managing these databases
1990s	The emergence of the internet and the development of library websites and digital collections
2000s	The growth of open-access publishing and the development of institutional repositories for preserving and sharing scholarly work
2010s	The rise of cloud-based computing and the development of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions for library management
2020s	The increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in library science computing, including in areas such as recommender systems and metadata management.

This push to build more extensive, equipped libraries led to increased funding for library staffing, acquisitions, and technology. In the 1970s and again in the 80s and 90s, universities continued increasing their research focus. The growth of the internet and its use in the library environment further increased the competition between research libraries to acquire the best digital resources and technologies.

The 1980s-90s

In the 1980s, the emphasis shifted to meeting users' needs with more support services such as specialized instruction, shared cataloging, and collection development. This increased patron demand for access to electronic resources such as databases, citation indexing software, and electronic journals. In the 1990s, libraries became more automated by adopting library circulation and cataloging management systems.

 Academic libraries then heavily dependent on computers for all aspects of information access and delivery of services, including interlibrary loans, collaborative retrieval, virtual reference services, and managing curation and preservation. At the same time, libraries continue striving to meet the changing needs of their users. They adapt to our current digital environment by providing access to digital resources and engaging in digital scholarship. The financial crisis of 2008 had a significant impact on academic libraries. Administrators and trustees questioned the need for libraries, resulting in budget cuts. 

Becoming focused on licensing databases, patron-driven acquisition plans, and forming consortia to reduce costs, academic libraries STEM programs received more support than humanities programs, resulting in drops in humanities majors and reduced collections support. 

In addition, academic librarians campaigned for open-access models for disseminating scholarly materials, and some institutions have become publishers themselves. Library staff at many institutions also had to take on additional responsibilities to make up for reductions in budgets or staff size. For example, they had to become more successful in marketing library services and resources, emphasizing self-service, and collaborating with other departments to provide additional services. In addition, technology-related services assumed a more prominent role in library offerings, as libraries had to demonstrate their cost-effective value in an environment of reduced spending and budget constraints.

The Post-2008

Given the changing landscape of academic libraries in the post-2008 era, librarians have had to demonstrate their worth to the college or university by showing new and innovative services to students, faculty, and staff. 

As a result, librarians have taken on more administrative and technology-focused roles, creating new systems to connect users and streamline services. Libraries have also emphasized data analytics, showing how users interact and associate with library offerings and materials. In addition, librarians have also had to be more adept at building strong partnerships with other campus divisions, libraries, and vendors. 

The period from 2008 to today has been a time of significant change for academic libraries. Technological advancements have led to increased availability of digital resources, which has changed how libraries provide services to their patrons. 

In addition, budget cuts and changes in higher education have led to a greater emphasis on the value and impact of libraries. This executive summary will provide a brief overview of the changes in academic libraries from 2008 to today. One of the most significant changes for academic libraries during this period has been the increasing availability of digital resources. 

eBooks

The rise of e-books, online journals, and databases has allowed libraries to expand their collections and provide access to resources from anywhere. This has led to changes in how libraries offer services, emphasizing digital and information literacy. Budget cuts and changes in higher education have also significantly impacted academic libraries. Many libraries have faced budget cuts, which has led to a greater emphasis on demonstrating their value and impact. 

Libraries have responded by developing assessment and evaluation strategies to measure the effectiveness of their services and demonstrate their contribution to student success and research initiatives. The changing role of libraries within higher education has also led to a greater emphasis on collaboration and partnerships. Libraries are partnering with other campus units, such as academic departments and technology services, to develop new programs and services that meet the needs of students and faculty.

Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on academic libraries.

Year	Event
2019	The COVID-19 outbreak begins in Wuhan, China
March 2020	Many academic libraries in the US have begun to close their physical spaces and transition to online services as the pandemic spreads.
March 2020	Librarians quickly create online resources and provide virtual services, including reference, instruction, and programming.
March 2020	Many libraries offer temporary access to e-resources, including e-books, online journals, and databases, to support remote learning and research.
Summer 2020	As some libraries begin to reopen their physical spaces, they implement new safety protocols, such as social distancing, mask-wearing, and increased cleaning.
Fall 2020	With many universities transitioning to hybrid or online learning models, libraries offer virtual services and resources, including online reference and instruction.
Winter 2020	Libraries are critical in providing access to COVID-19 information and resources, including articles, research, and public health guidelines.
Spring 2021	Some academic libraries have begun to reopen their physical spaces more fully, but many continue to offer online services and resources to support remote learning and research.
Summer 2021	With the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, libraries continue to monitor and adjust their services and policies to support the changing needs of their patrons and communities.
Fall 2021	Many academic libraries continue to offer a mix of in-person and virtual services and resources, with an emphasis on supporting remote and online learning.
Winter 2022	Libraries continue to adapt to changing circumstances, such as new COVID-19 variants, and prioritize their patrons' and staff's health and safety.
Spring 2022	Libraries begin to explore the long-term impacts of the pandemic on their services, policies, and collections and plan for the future accordingly.

The shift to remote learning and research has accelerated the trend of digital resources and online services. As a result, libraries have had to adapt quickly to provide virtual services and support, including online reference services and virtual instruction sessions. In conclusion, the period from 2008 to today has significantly changed academic libraries.

Academic libraries have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They have had to adapt quickly to continue providing services and resources to their users while prioritizing the safety and health of staff and patrons. Some ways that academic libraries have dealt and are dealing with COVID-19 include:

Closing physical spaces:

 Many academic libraries closed their physical spaces to patrons to prevent the spread of the virus. However, many libraries provide online access to resources and services to support remote learning and research.

Providing virtual services:

Libraries began offering virtual reference services, instruction, and programming to support users remotely. This included online reference chats, virtual research consultations, and online workshops.

Providing access to digital resources: Academic libraries increased their access to digital resources, such as e-books, online journals, and databases, to support remote learning and research.

Implementing safety protocols: 

Libraries that remained open implemented safety protocols, such as requiring masks, social distancing, and increased cleaning, to protect staff and patrons.

Modifying services:

Some academic libraries modified their services to accommodate the changing needs of users during the pandemic. For example, some libraries expanded their interlibrary loan services to provide access to physical materials that were not available online.

Collaborating with other campus units:

Academic libraries collaborated with other campus units, such as technology services and academic departments, to develop new programs and services that meet the changing needs of students and faculty during the pandemic.

Planning for the future:

As the pandemic continues to impact higher education, academic libraries are planning for the future and preparing for a new normal. This includes rethinking physical spaces, increasing digital access, and developing new services to support the changing needs of users.