News from the Field

David Free

Fort Hays State Announces Library Renovations, Renaming

To kick off Homecoming weekend in late September 2025, a seven-figure gift was revealed at a dedication and major gift announcement at Fort Hays State University (FHSU). The transformative donation from Stephen, Tatiana, and the Tebo family will support the renovation of FHSU’s on-campus library, which will proudly carry the name Tebo Library moving forward. The renaming of FHSU’s library not only honors the Tebo family’s extraordinary generosity but also reflects the values they live by—grit, determination, perseverance, vision, and innovation—principles deeply woven into the spirit of FHSU itself. A 1967 FHSU graduate, Stephen Tebo fondly remembers the library as more than a building. It offered him knowledge, connection, and opportunity.

With the current library constructed nearly sixty years ago, the building had begun to show its age. Its spaces and infrastructure couldn’t keep up with the way today’s students learn, collaborate, and connect. The time had come to strengthen the building’s foundation, modernize the facility and its amenities, and infuse the library with natural light to create an inspiring environment for future FHSU students. In May 2024, FHSU embarked on a comprehensive renovation to the then-named Forsyth Library, estimated at nearly $28 million. Learn more about the Tebo Library renovation by visiting foundation.fhsu.edu/library, fhsu.edu/library/renovation.

New LibGuide for the Experiences with Information Literacy Module of the NSSE

The ACRL National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Information Literacy Module Review Task Force completed a new LibGuide highlighting how you can learn about, advocate for, and use NSSE data at your institution. In addition to documenting the work of the task force, this LibGuide provides practical tips and resources for librarians and library administrators when considering administering the “Experiences with Information Literacy” module of the NSSE. The NSSE is an annual survey of four-year colleges and universities about first-year and senior students’ participation in programs and activities. The results provide an estimate of how undergraduates spend their time and what they gain from attending college. The new guide is available at https://acrl.libguides.com/NSSEInfoLit.

Clarivate Releases Pulse of the Library Report

Clarivate has released the Pulse of the Library 2025 report, which examines how libraries globally are adapting to fast-moving opportunities and challenges such as artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, open science, and geopolitical pressures. The findings reveal a steady rise in AI adoption, with 67 percent of libraries exploring or implementing AI tools, an increase from 63 percent in 2024. Although the majority remain at the initial stages of evaluation, early adopters are pressing ahead and reporting greater optimism, particularly as they progress through implementation phases. The report also shows that libraries are more likely to be in the moderate or active implementation phases of AI when AI literacy is part of the formal training or onboarding program (28 percent), librarians have dedicated time/resources (23.3 percent), or managers actively encourage development (24.2 percent).

The Pulse of the Library 2025 report draws on insights from more than 2,000 librarians across 109 countries and regions, representing academic, public, and national libraries. Building on the first report in 2024, it provides actionable insights and recommendations for libraries seeking to maximize the benefits of AI. Explore the Pulse of the Library report at https://clarivate.com/pulse-of-the-library.

ARL Publishes Code of Best Practices Addendum

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has published an addendum to the 2012 Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Academic and Research Libraries, providing updated guidance on making copies of library materials for people with disabilities. The addendum clarifies ambiguities in copyright law referenced in the original code that have since been resolved by case law and statute, particularly Authors Guild v. HathiTrust and the 2018 Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act. The addendum offers guidance to libraries on providing accessible materials to print-disabled members of a college or university community; clarifies that “eligible persons” include people with mobility impairments and learning disabilities; and explains that libraries can rely on fair use to create accessible versions of materials beyond literary works and musical works. The code was originally created as a partnership between ARL; the Center for Media and Social Impact (CMSI), School of Communication, American University; and the Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property, Washington College of Law, American University, with input from librarians around the country. Access the code at https://www.arl.org/resources/code-of-best-practices-in-fair-use-for-academic-libraries/.

Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos Now Available Open Access

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s long-standing Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, 1933–1945 (ECG) is now available in an open-access, digital edition from Project Muse. The ECG volumes I–IV are now fully searchable, open-access digital publications and the most comprehensive resource on Nazi persecutory sites. The ECG gives users the ability to dynamically engage with empirically grounded research that documents thousands of camps, ghettos, and other sites of persecution operated by the Nazis and their allies. Work on the multivolume encyclopedia stretches back over twenty-five years and involves the work of more than 700 scholars in the fields of history, Holocaust studies, and other related disciplines. To date, this global scholarly collaboration has documented evidence of thousands of camps and ghettos. Content in the remaining three volumes will be published online as it is available. In addition to the remaining volumes, newly updated content that incorporates previously inaccessible and undiscovered sources will continuously be added to the ECG. Learn more about how this project came together with a video of scholars discussing it at https://bit.ly/MUSE_USHMM_Video.

Bloomsbury Video Library Expands with Opera Rara and Wigmore Hall Collections

Bloomsbury Digital Resources recently unveiled two new additions to its Bloomsbury Video Library platform: The Opera Rara collection and the Wigmore Hall Music Performance Collections. These resources bring rare operatic recordings and world-class music performances to students, researchers, and libraries across the globe. Opera Rara on Bloomsbury Video Library is a rich audio and video collection featuring premium, recent performances of rare and forgotten operas—an invaluable resource for opera researchers and students alike. Through Bloomsbury Video Library, these unique materials will be accessible within the global education sector from early 2027. Beginning in 2026, Bloomsbury Video Library will also launch the Wigmore Hall Music Performance Collections. These exclusive streaming collections will feature chamber, instrumental, and vocal recitals from Wigmore Hall, one of the world’s leading concert venues. The first collection, covering the 2024–25 season, includes performances from Boris Giltburg, Konstantin Krimmel, Olivier Stankiewicz, and more. New season collections will be added annually. Learn more at https://www.bloomsburyvideolibrary.com/.