Using a mixed-methods approach, the researchers explored the experiences of 108 academic librarians who served as interim library leaders at U.S. institutions of higher education between 2012 and 2017. Statistical analysis showed no associations between gender, type of institution, or degree-granting level with the duration of interim service or whether a respondent applied for or was hired as the permanent leader. The authors provide recommendations for future interim library leaders and the university executives who appoint them. Serving as an interim library leader can be a once-in-a lifetime opportunity well worth the experience.

A traditional mixed methods research model of citation analysis, a survey, and interviews was selected to determine if the Bruce T. Halle Library at Eastern Michigan University owned the content that faculty cited in their research, if the collection was being utilized, and what library services the faculty used. The combination of objective data gleaned from the citation analysis and survey coupled with the personal, in-depth information gained from the interviews was instrumental in increasing the value of the study for its use in collection management decisions, and showed how effectual the services and collection are in supporting the research needs of the faculty at EMU.

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The goal of this study was to build knowledge about the perspectives of library leaders who have experience with a responsibility center management (RCM) budget model and how the model guides library allocations and planning. The study also sought to provide advice to other library leaders whose institutions may consider adopting an RCM budget model.

With a tightening budgetary waistline, how can you still "suck it in" and still be able to breathe? Minimizing the impact on your faculty, undergraduates, graduates, and Ph.D. students as you wean yourself off those seductive and tantalizing Big Deals can be a tricky process. Using a blended approach which incorporates multiple years of use data from both the publisher and aggregators, impact factors from the Web of Knowledge Journal Citation Analysis, and finally consultations with the discipline librarians and faculty, we developed a process to identify essential titles from Big Deal packages. This multilayer approach ensures that high use titles are considered, quality is maintained, and budget requirements are met. Presenters looked at major journal publisher and the significant content within the education discipline to use as a template for other subject areas. This session will layout strategies for evaluating journal packages with the goal of identifying and retaining core titles if and when you make the decision to terminate your Big Deal agreement.