Introduction

Academic libraries are increasingly being asked to demonstrate impact and value to their institution. This is a problem we are all trying to solve as library leaders. As noted by many of the authors in this volume, there is no shortage of data produced in a library. The question academic librarians are facing is determining what facts, figures, and stories we should use to illustrate our importance. We must change the narrative to demonstrate we are an essential part of the learning and research process. Is what we have measured in the past an adequate indicator of how we serve our students and faculty? What is the balance between the volume of people we serve and the quality of the services we provide? Are there methods or strategies that can help guide us to measure things differently? If assessment has previously played a minor or obligatory role in our library, where do we even begin?