As academic libraries have increasingly shifted to purchasing ebooks that are licensed rather than owned, and are more expensive than print books, challenges to the acquisition and budgeting of textbooks for course reserves have increased. These challenges associated with online textbooks impact how libraries approach initiatives to enhance student affordability. This three-year study analyzes the usage data of high-cost (i.e., those costing more than $500) ebooks purchased as course texts by the library. The analysis demonstrated that the number of titles and the overall cost were relatively low. In contrast, the use of these ebooks was high (exceeding 200 uses per month), especially compared with other ebooks the library had acquired to support curricular and research needs. This data enabled the library to revise the acquisition process, removing the cost-based approval step, which improved the acquisitions workflow and students' access to titles.
With a surge of attention on improving EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) within the LIS profession in recent years, numerous metadata and cataloging projects have been initiated to address these issues. In this study, the author explores the types of critical cataloging and inclusive metadata projects that cataloging/metadata professionals within academic libraries in the United States are engaging in, whether these projects are reaching completion, and the supports or barriers these professionals encounter. This study reports on a survey of cataloging and metadata professionals in US academic libraries who have either completed, initiated, or have incomplete critical cataloging projects within the past five years to examine their experiences. This research contributes to the literature by offering contextualized analysis of the efforts undertaken by cataloging/metadata professionals to advance EDI.
Managing invoices and contracts remains a persistent challenge in academic libraries, especially in lean-staffed environments where decentralized workflows increase the risk of errors and delays. This case study documents how a small, master's-level institution transitioned from fragmented manual processes and a partially customized Notion workspace to ClickUp, a centralized project management platform. Unlike Notion, which required extensive customization and frequent retraining of student workers, ClickUp offered structured, out-of-the-box workflows that automated routine tasks, standardized documentation, and improved vendor communication with minimal onboarding. The shift reduced invoice processing time by 50 percent and eliminated duplicate payments, strengthening vendor trust and operational accountability. By comparing ClickUp with manual spreadsheets, integrated library system modules, and electronic resource management tools, the study highlights trade-offs between flexibility, scalability, and staff capacity. Practical recommendations are provided for libraries-particularly underresourced institutions-seeking low-overhead digital solutions that enhance efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability in financial workflows.
