2023 ACRL Environmental Scan

Abstract

Every two years, the ACRL Research Planning and Review Committee conducts an environmental scan to summarize the key themes and trends in higher education and their potential implications for academic libraries. Committee members determined this year’s themes based on a review of news media, academic literature, grey literature, and other sources from 2021 and 2022. While themes such as scholarly communications, student assessment, and shared print continue to have impact, new themes around legislative interference, controlled digital lending, and digital transformation have also emerged. Common threads can be found across these themes including an increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the enduring legacy of COVID, and the continued impact of technology. The extensive footnotes provide a wealth of additional information and avenues of inquiry for those interested.