The Library Beyond the Library: Recasting the Library Value Proposition for Visibility and Impact

The remit of research libraries goes far beyond collections: They’re supporting data curation, research impact analysis, grant development, digital scholarship, and more. Still, many institutional stakeholders continue to see the library’s value proposition primarily or even exclusively through the lens of collection stewardship. This perception gap can limit the visibility, influence, impact, and possibly even the resourcing of the library. The Library Beyond the Library framework from OCLC Research offers a practical roadmap to help research libraries clarify their evolving value proposition and in doing so, strengthen their role in the institutional research enterprise.

The challenge

As universities prioritize research productivity, talent recruitment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and external funding—in some cases, driven by national assessment programs such as the Research Excellence Framework (REF)—libraries have invested in new services and expertise. But outdated, collection-centric perceptions of library roles and capacities persist. When stakeholders don’t fully recognize or understand the impact of the library’s evolving value proposition,  its contributions can be diminished in strategic plans, budgets, and institutional decision-making.

The framework

The Library Beyond the Library framework outlines three practical ways libraries can expand their impact by moving “beyond the library” to engage with the broader institutional environment:

1. Strategic alignment: Connect library services and expertise directly to institutional research priorities
2. Collaboration: Build purposeful partnerships across campus to support the full research lifecycle
3. Storytelling: Use data and narrative to clearly communicate the library’s evolving value to stakeholders

Together, these elements help libraries to both amplify their impact and clarify their value proposition to institutional stakeholders, anchored in their core mission of organizing and stewarding knowledge.

Why it matters

Change requires investment, but standing still carries risk. Libraries that don't align with institutional priorities, collaborate effectively, or articulate their value clearly may see diminished relevance and influence.

This framework provides a structured tool for reflection, planning, and action. It helps library leaders strengthen institutional positioning, demonstrate impact, and ensure the library remains central to the research enterprise.

Explore the report

This report offers strategic guidance and practical insight based on interviews with international research library leaders and examples from across the community. Download Library Beyond the Library to explore how your institution can apply the framework to enhance visibility, impact, and long-term sustainability.

Download US Letter .pdf

Download A4 .pdf

Quick links

• Short URL: oc.lc/library-beyond-library
• DOI (US letter): doi.org/10.25333/5xkd-vk48
• DOI (A4): doi.org/10.25333/wx0b-fz18

Related pages and projects

• The Library Beyond the Library project page