The US Department of Education has issued a request for comments on planned changes to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) surveys, which include the Academic Libraries component. The 60-day Federal Register notice (docket ED–2019–ICCD–0028) was published on March 20, and the public comment period ends May 20.
The following important changes to the Academic Libraries component are planned to go into effect during the next three-year cycle:
- The survey will capture the number of FTE librarians, non-librarian professional staff, all other paid staff, and student assistants.
- A definition and instructions for counting digital/electronic serials have been added to the survey.
- Instructions for reporting digital/electronic serials usage have been added to the survey.
The e-serials and e-serials usage definitions were developed by the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), American Library Association (ALA), and Association of Research Libraries (ARL) IPEDS Task Force, which serves as an advisory group for the IPEDS Academic Libraries Component Definitions.
A summary of all planned changes is available via the “Open Docket Folder” link at the top of the IPEDS docket page.
Make your voice heard by submitting comments via the docket page by Monday, May 20, 2019.
About the Association of Research Libraries
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 124 research libraries in Canada and the US whose mission is to advance research, learning, and scholarly communication. The Association fosters the open exchange of ideas and expertise, promotes equity and diversity, and pursues advocacy and public policy efforts that reflect the values of the library, scholarly, and higher education communities. ARL forges partnerships and catalyzes the collective efforts of research libraries to enable knowledge creation and to achieve enduring and barrier-free access to information. ARL is on the web at ARL.org.
About the Association of College & Research Libraries
The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) is the higher education association for academic libraries and library workers. Representing nearly 10,500 individuals and libraries, ACRL (a division of the American Library Association) develops programs, products, and services to help those working in academic and research libraries learn, innovate, and lead within the academic community. Founded in 1940, ACRL is committed to advancing learning and transforming scholarship. Find ACRL on the web, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
About the American Library Association
American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, ALA has been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.
