2026 Top Trends in Academic Libraries: A Review of the Trends and Issues

Abstract

This article explores the topics and issues that trended in academic libraries over the past
two years. It draws on research and initiatives from librarians across the profession,
highlighting the challenges libraries face. To focus on the most pressing current trends,
topics that have been covered in previous Top Trends or Environmental Scans are specifically
excluded unless new and significant developments warrant review; see the 2024 Top
Trends and 2025 Environmental Scan for previous topics covered. For this year’s report,
we cover the new challenges academic libraries faced, including radical political and regulatory
shifts in academic institutions, developments in artificial intelligence (AI) disrupting
traditional research methods and tools, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title
II whole-scale redesign of websites, digital repositories, and future collection and intake
processes.