Library Services at UH Manoa moves up in national ranking

Irene Herold

The national ranking of University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Library Services has improved dramatically, according to recently released information from the ARL (Association of Research Libraries) Investment Index, which is reported to The Chronicle of Higher Education. 

Library Services’ ranking moved up from 88 in 2013-2014 to 71 in 2014-2015. 

“This is the first time since the statistics have been reported that the unit has ranked this positively,” said Dr. Irene Herold, University Librarian.  “In addition to providing a benchmark among peer research institutions, rankings such as this contribute to institutional perception of success, assist with recruitment efforts, and help to attract grant funds.”

Herold attributed the vault in standings to factors including changes to contractual bargaining unit salaries, successful recruitment of faculty and staff over the past three years (including 10 successful recruitments last year), and effective stewardship of material expenditures.

The ranking was based on four index variables: Total Library Expenditures, Salaries and Wages of Professional Staff, Total Library Materials Expenditures, and Professional plus Support Staff.

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Library acquires, organizes, preserves, and provides access to information resources vital to the learning, teaching, and research mission of the University.

For more information, please visit http://library.manoa.hawaii.edu/.