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 Librarian-to-Student Enrollment/Programs Ratio. -- Are there any specific examples in the research literature?

Paul Graham's profile image
Paul Graham posted Mar 21, 2023 11:49 AM

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you are well and in good health today.  I'm working with a colleague to find a way to justify new library hires.  I am specifically interested in any guidelines that may exist... such as "There should be 1 librarian for every 800 Students", etc. 

I'm wondering if anyone knows of any published guidelines along these lines? Could be based on program as well as enrollment?

PJG

Stephanie Roach's profile image
Stephanie Roach posted Mar 22, 2023 01:27 PM

Hi Paul--

Some academic and state run libraries are covered by state education codes, and may have details spelled out about this type of thing.

For example, here in California, the community colleges are covered in state ed code: Title 5 California Code of Regulations § 58724. Tables of Minimum Standards for Libraries and Media Centers. The code cites ALA/ACRL Minimum Standards for Libraries, but with a quick search, I couldn't find the ACRL minimum standards posted for staffing levels of libraries to refer to. 

Type of Staff
Materials
College Size
FTES
Faculty Librarian
Support
Periodicals (No. Subscriptions)
Volumes (No. on Shelf)
< 1,000
2.0
3.0
230
30,000
1,001-3,000
3.0
4.5
300
40,000
3,001-5,000
4.0
6.5
500
60,000
5,001-7,000
5.0
9.0
700
80,000
Each Additional 1K
0.5
1.0
50
7,500

Search California Code of Regulations here.

Full path: California Code of Regulations, Title 5. Education, Division 6. California Community Colleges, Chapter 9. Fiscal Support, Subchapter 8. Community College General Apportionment Funding, Article 3. Credit Instructional Services, § 58724. Tables of Minimum Standards for Libraries and Media Centers.

Best,

Steph Roach

Sue Wiegand's profile image
Sue Wiegand posted Mar 23, 2023 06:27 AM

Here is one from 2007: https://scholarworks.iupui.edu/bitstream/handle/1805/2215/Applegate_Charting_Academic.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y