The Librarians' Role in Academic Assessment and Accreditation:

Federal Regulations published in 1988 require colleges to demonstrate the difference they have made to students. The accrediting agencies such as the Middle States Association have combined frameworks for outcomes assessment with the long established requirement that college students demonstrate the ability to retrieve and use information. Hudson Valley Community College librarians work with the faculty in a liaison program to shape the collections, library use and student success. As faculty the librarians serve on college committees; at the state level the library subscribes to the SUNYLA student library competencies statement. All this is drawn on as librarians collaborate with faculty on college and departmental accreditation self study and visits. As the focus shifts from accreditation to assessment, librarians undertaking self-study must decide who will use the information and what library roles must be justified, Illustrations include an accreditation visit checklist, the Curriculum Committee LRC fact sheet and the SUNYLA Recommended Library Skills and Competencies for Graduates of Community Colleges.