Library Assessment – Where Now?

Library Assessment formalized itself through an established biennial conference that started in 2006 in Charlottesville, Virginia, and was last offered in 2024 in Portland, Oregon. The event was sponsored by three organizations originally: The University of Virginia, University of Washington, and the Association of Research Libraries reflecting an extended collaboration among Jim Self, Steve Hiller, and Martha Kyrillidou and many colleagues working in libraries as part of evaluation, assessment, and planning roles. In 2026, there will not be a Library Assessment Conference but we are conceptualizing the following events to bring the community together:

  • A webinar on the state of Library Assessment organized by QualityMetrics, LLC, and its Director, Martha Kyrillidou
  • A webinar where research libraries from the ACRL Assessment Discussion Group are coming together to share their experiences featuring Susanna Cowan from the University of Connecticut, Piper Cumbo from Auburn University, and Anita Hall from the University of Louisville.
  • An in-person informal gathering hosted by the University of Louisville in conjunction with the Core Forum in November 2026.

We invite you to join us for ACRL Assessment Discussion Group and QualityMetrics: Webinar 1 – The State of Library Assessment!

Martha Kyrillidou will reflect on the history of the Library Assessment Conferences and will discuss future trends in evidence based decision making, data analytics, and AI implementations in libraries. Stephen Town will present findings on the role of virtue theory in making good libraries, and how good leaders deploy wisdom in decision-making to deliver value while upholding shared values.

Date: Friday, February 20, 2026 Time: 1-2 p.m. EST

Guest Speakers: Martha Kyrillidou (QualityMetrics) and Stephen Town (Research Fellow, University of York, UK). Co-Facilitators (ACRL Discussion Group Co-conveners) Anita Hall (Louisville), Piper Cumbo (Auburn), Susanna Cowan (UConn)

Click here to register for the Zoom

We hope to see you there!  Keep an eye for another announcement for the registration for Webinar #2!