University of Illinois Chicago

Researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago and University of Wisconsin-Madison will investigate academic library leader decision-making around technological adoption and create a tool to support evidence-based decisions around future technologies. As technological trends such as blockchain, virtual reality headsets, and online badges cycle through mainstream media and professional discussions, academic library leaders are continually challenged to make smart bets on these technologies, often at rapid speed. However, library leaders lack practical evidence-based tools to support this decision making and there is little known about the guidelines and resources they use to support or reject emerging technology adoption. This applied research project will include a literature review, interviews with academic library leaders, and tool development and testing, to support library leaders in making technology decisions.