Case Study: Vanderbilt University Review of the Libraries

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Client: Vanderbilt University
Project: Review of the Libraries

In the Fall of 2019, Athenaeum21 (A21) was engaged by Vanderbilt University to conduct an external review of its libraries to help it chart a path for the future. Working closely with the Office of the Provost, Libraries staff and leadership and the University Library Committee, A21 produced a report and recommendations based on an extensive program of data gathering, site visits, and workshops. A large-scale, campus-wide survey provided extensive data from library users and non-users. Approximately 50 one-hour interviews with faculty, administrators and library staff yielded more in-depth data about campus expectations while a review of extensive documentation from the Libraries about services, infrastructure, and usage statistics provided broad background on the current state of the library. Three campus visits allowed A21 to conduct focus groups with faculty and students, staff workshops, and to assess (via observations and review of documentation) the use of all libraries’ spaces. 

All of this data was supplemented by a set of quantitative and qualitative peer research and benchmarking, including extensive data analysis (ARL, NCES, AAU, COFHE, Common Data Sets, and financial reports). Qualitative research included in-depth, hour-long interviews with 5 peer library directors about their organizational structures, staffing models, priorities, funding, budgeting, and physical spaces. 

The final deliverables were focused on a series of findings and 37 recommendations for how the Libraries might leverage its strengths and strategically invest its resources in order to excel at meeting evolving university needs. The recommendations related to campus context and opportunities; organizational alignment; digital services infrastructure; physical spaces; and libraries collections. The report was supplemented by a services inventory and needs gap analysis; IT systems inventory; staffing and organizational plan; peer benchmarking analysis; and a full set of survey results and analysis. 

Susan R. Wente, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs said of the report, “This report provides a vital roadmap for next-generation improvements that will enhance our libraries for faculty, students and staff at Vanderbilt.” 

Services Provided:

  • User Needs Research & Analysis

  • Organizational and Staffing Needs Analysis

  • Organizational and Staffing Plans

  • Gap Analysis

  • Strengths Audit

  • Environmental Scan / Peer Benchmarking

  • Space Assessment

Methods Used:

  • Survey 

  • Interviews

  • Ethnographic Observations

  • Discovery Workshops

  • Prioritization Workshops

  • Desk Research

case studies, libraries, strategic plan, higher educationA21 UK