Reduced investment in academic libraries 

Funding for academic libraries in the U.S. has shown a consistent decline in recent decades. Between 2014 and 2022, spending (per student) on academic libraries at four-year colleges and universities dropped by nearly 20%. These cuts were boosted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, over the same period, spending in other domains in the university, such as student services and research, increased. This different trend shows that library funding cuts are not just the result of broad budget cuts across campus, but rather an intentional choice in priorities.  

Academic libraries and equity  

Academic libraries partner with other campus units to support students, especially those from underserved populations who often face more barriers in higher education. These students tend to use library resources more frequently and feel safer and more supported in library environments compared to other campus spaces. Furthermore, academic libraries partner with other campus units to offer targeted programs and inclusive environments. For example, the University of Illinois library collaborated with offices supporting first-generation and low-income students, and Stony Brook University’s library offered tech support for underserved communities. Thus, lowering academic library funding could overly impact these student groups and worsen educational inequities.   

Our inquiry: Does academic library spending matter? 

We studied whether declining investment in academic libraries is related with student graduation rates. We looked into this relationship for total graduation rates and the graduation rates of students across race/ethnicity. For this research, we statistically analyzed data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), focusing on 1,325 nonprofit four-year colleges and universities between 2014 and 2022. The primary outcome variable was the overall graduation rate, along with graduation rates for different racial/ethnic groups. The key predictor was the academic library spending per full-time student. Control variables included colleges and universities’ spending in other areas (e.g., instruction, student services), institutional characteristics (e.g., tuition, enrollment), and student body characteristics (e.g., ACT scores).  

Key findings: Academic libraries matter more for Black students 

We found there is a significant and positive relationship between academic library spending and student graduation rates, even after considering spending in other areas and a number of institutional characteristics. However, when we included some other consistent effects across the colleges and universities in our analysis, the association between academic library spending and student graduation rate was no longer significantly meaningful.  

When analyzing the graduation rates of different racial/ethnic groups, however, we found some interesting results. There was a statistically significant association between academic library spending and graduation rates for Black students, even after considering the full range of other characteristics and effects. In addition, such a relationship was strongest for Black students who attend institutions in which White students are dominant (so called Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs)).  

These findings suggest that academic libraries can play an important role for the success of Black students, particularly for those attending institutions in which may they face additional challenges as the minority. 

Implications: Yes, academic libraries matter! 

The results of the study shed light on the important role academic libraries play for student success, particularly those who are racially marginalized. Although efficiency often justifies spending cuts, reducing academic library budgets may weaken educational outcome and academic success, particularly for vulnerable student populations. For these students, reducing library spending may mean the loss of physical spaces, human support, and specialized services that directly help their academic success and development.  

In summary, we present strong evidence that reductions in academic library funding may come at the cost of student success and equity. Therefore, maintaining robust support for academic libraries should be considered a priority for colleges and universities when making budgetary decisions.