New Frontiers: Integrating Academic Libraries when Universities Merge: Implications for Libraries, Teaching, and Learning

With political, social, and financial forces affecting public higher education systems nationally, required integrations of individual universities campuses into combined universities are becoming more common. From the perspective of two different public higher education systems, we will discuss our experiences in merging our libraries into cohesive, patron focused organizations. Learning Outcomes To share the experience(s) of creating a single, functional, student-centered, Library organization from separate universities due to integration of Public Higher Education System Redesigns. Analyze and appraise the design of organizational staffing structures, consolidated budgets, and resources awareness amongst our student body. 3. Learn ways in which to incorporate different cultural values, identities, sense of community when merging academic libraries. Examine the role of the individual Libraries and their sustainability within the context of a values in practice library organizations. Issues touched upon include: social justice, assessment, ethics, equity and inclusion, value demonstration, and shrinking resources