How can libraries prove their impact? Erik Ziedses des Plantes shares how research inventories, like one built at the University of Dayton for AI research, help libraries identify local thought leaders and shape institutional priorities. Read: bit.ly/4jPVQIM

How do we "unlock" Latin American scholarship? In a new portal column, experts share a new model for open access monographs in the Global South. It’s a vital look at how area studies librarians and book dealers remain engaged as library preservation structures evolve. Read: bit.ly/49ru69M

Is it burnout or depression? In portal Vol. 26.1, Matthew Weirick Johnson explores the debate over the framework of burnout and how Occupational Health Psychology may help inform future research and address burnout in library organizations. Read more: bit.ly/4qRWhVc

In the final portal 25th anniversary editorial, Ellysa Stern Cahoy interviews Maribeth Slebodnik. They discuss Slebodinik's legacy on the Editorial Board and 25 years of library history. Read the full interview here: bit.ly/3Lp7JZl

New Year, New Scholarship! The latest issue of portal, Vol 26.1, is now available in preprint. Whether you're interested in R1 institutional success or the philosophical roots of truth in IL, there's something here for every library worker and scholar.

Thanks to Stefanie A. Caloia for speaking about her article, "Fifty Years of Labor History Preservation and Progress: The Evolution of the Walter P. Reuther Library." Read the full article on portal’s preprint site. @afscme-archivist.bsky.social @reutherlibrary.bsky.social

Is the reference desk obsolete? A new study found that while libraries are experimenting, face-to-face assistance is still highly valued. The key: no single model works for all. Read the full article: bit.ly/3VVqpRV

Do students trust AI for research? A new study in portal found they use it for brainstorming but still rely on library databases for credible sources. Read more: bit.ly/3K9qY8g

Thanks to Emily Reed for speaking about her article, "Inclusion and Empathy Are Not Enough: Cultivating Student Belonging in the Academic Library Through Compassion." You can read the full article on portal's preprint site, Volume 25.4.

"Goodness" vs. "greatness"? A new study on open access policies at US land-grant universities finds a tension between public good and institutional reputation. Read the full article here: bit.ly/3IuVd8Z

New study on AI in libraries! This article in portal assesses a ChatGPT-powered chatbot's performance, offering best practices for any library exploring this tech. Read the case study: bit.ly/4gt8efU

Thanks to Michelle Ehrenpreis for speaking with us about her recent portal article, "Chatbot Assessment: Best Practices for Artificial Intelligence in the Library." You can read the full article on portal's preprint site, Volume 25.4.

OER reduces student costs, but does it impact learning outcomes? A new study offers surprising insights. This article provides a critical look at both the gains and gaps in OER and offers key takeaways for educators and librarians. Read the full study here: bit.ly/4gzJRgP

How can libraries ensure students feel a sense of belonging? This article highlights how inclusivity and compassion are paired to build connections and help students thrive. Read why belonging is key: bit.ly/4ncSqk8

Thanks to William Weare and Jaena Alabi for speaking with us about their portal article, "What’s Working and What Isn’t: An Exploratory Study of Current Reference Models in Large Academic Libraries." You can read the full article on portal's preprint site, Volume 25.4.

This article celebrates the Walter P. Reuther Library, its unique collection, and the collaborative and creative programming that keeps the legacy alive. Read about it here: bit.ly/4mrqCHA

In a new oral history interview, portal: Libraries and the Academy Managing Editor Ellysa Stern Cahoy interviews Jerome Yavarkovsky, University Librarian Emeritus at Boston College, for a can't-miss conversation on the history of academic libraries. Read the full interview here: bit.ly/4nxP5M6

Thanks to Mark Lenker for speaking with us about his portal article, "Thoughts on Synthesizing Information: A Research Skill for our Time?" You can read the full article on portal's preprint site, Volume 25.3. youtu.be/JjKRNQriZ6U?...

Is the reference desk obsolete? A new study found that while libraries are experimenting, face-to-face assistance is still highly valued. Read the full article: bit.ly/3VVqpRV

Do students trust AI for research? A new study found that students use it for brainstorming but still rely on library databases for credible sources. Read the full article: bit.ly/3K9qY8g

"Goodness" vs. "greatness"? A new study on open access policies at US land-grant universities finds a tension between public good and institutional reputation. Read the full article: bit.ly/3IuVd8Z

New study on AI in libraries! This article assesses a ChatGPT-powered chatbot's performance, offering best practices for any library exploring this type of tech. Read the full article: bit.ly/4gt8efU

New study on OER impact! A critical look at the gains and gaps for librarians and educators. Read more: bit.ly/4gzJRgP

How can libraries ensure students feel a sense of belonging? This article highlights how inclusivity and compassion are paired to build connections and help students thrive. Read why compassion is key: bit.ly/4ncSqk8

This article celebrates Reuther Library; it’s unique collection and the collaborative and creative programming that keeps the legacy alive. Read about it here: bit.ly/4mrqCHA

Celebrating 25 years! In a new oral history interview, portal: Libraries and the Academy Editor Ellysa Stern Cahoy interviews Jerome Yavarkovsky, University Librarian Emeritus at Boston College, for a can't-miss conversation on the history of academic libraries. Read it here: bit.ly/4nxP5M6

New portal: Libraries and the Academy issue is here! Dive into cutting-edge research on AI, student belonging, and more. All articles are free to access on the preprint site. Read the issue:

In a recent portal author interview, Adrienne Warner, discusses her article, "An Exploration of Students’ Recollections After an Asynchronous, On-site Academic Library Tour." You can read the full article on portal's preprint site, Vol. 25.3. youtu.be/P7jbZPTROm8?...

It was wonderful to speak with Elspeth Olson about her recent portal article, "Scaffolded Assignments and Embedded Archivists: A Critical Assessment of the Themes in Archival Instruction Literature, 2013-2023." Read the full article on our preprint site. @lunabrd.bsky.social @unr-scua.bsky.social

This article examines five common themes in the scholarship published within 2013 - 2023 on primary source instruction, including constructivism, the roles of digital and physical resources, and the importance of collaboration between archives and instructors. bit.ly/4jBqO5p

Developed at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, this article evaluates the effectiveness of an asynchronous e-text, Library 101, in teaching students about library resources and services. bit.ly/4jGHUiy

In this study, the authors present findings from a survey and interviews investigating library-led textbook affordability initiatives in the United States. bit.ly/45JLXqM

Northeastern University’s Global Campus and Online Learning Unit supports 16 global campuses. Highlights of the article include challenges, successes, best practices, and recommendations for librarians working at an institution with a geographically dispersed campus model. bit.ly/43RTJMS

In this article, the author uses the categories in a previously developed rubric to reflect on their own piecemeal work on synthesis and pose questions about how to teach this skill more effectively. bit.ly/4dRAQOF

In this case study, the first of its kind in South Asia, the authors describe the steps the Punjab University Library took to decolonize library practices and offer user-centered initiatives. bit.ly/4kNGqnw

To continue portal’s 25th anniversary, Editor Ellysa Stern Cahoy interviews long-time Editorial Board member and former Social Media Editor Steven Bell. Steven shares his perspectives on portal’s history, library publishing, and more! bit.ly/3SGkXAU

Editorial Board member Karen Kohn and Editor Ellysa Stern Cahoy celebrate Darren Ilett (University of Northern Colorado) for receiving portal‘s 2024 Johns Hopkins University Press Best Article Award! Ilett’s article appears in Vol 24.4. Congratulations to our winner! bit.ly/4kYzi7P

portal achieved its sustainability threshold for 2025 through Project MUSE's Subscribe 2 Open initiative! All content published in 2025 will be openly accessible on the Project MUSE platform throughout the calendar year. Read more about it here:

Read about a study that explores copyright law understanding among STEM graduate students at an R1 university. Interviews show confusion between copyright and plagiarism, and gaps in awareness regarding ownership of created materials. bit.ly/4izdPRn

This article highlights a qualitative study exploring writing instructors' research teaching methods and assignment design. Findings suggest models to enhance academic librarians' information literacy support for students and faculty. bit.ly/4jPBdLy

This article concludes a multi-part study on academic instruction librarians' teacher agency and highlights the crucial role of workplace relationships. Survey findings point to supportive cultures and connections that empower librarians' individual and collective agency in teaching. bit.ly/4lKcuKb

Building on previous research, this article examines the value of advanced subject degrees beyond the MLS for academic librarians. Findings reveal insights into compensation, perceived preparedness for research, teaching, and tenure based on having an additional advanced degree. bit.ly/3Gn3gn3

This article shares results of an experiment incorporating attribute and citation data from authority records and faculty databases to improve the accuracy of authority reconciliation. The new method offers a less time-consuming approach that is more precise than current practices. bit.ly/4jGAf40

New research underscores the importance of data literacy in academic and business settings. This study explores the relevance of librarian-developed business data literacy competencies for undergraduates and librarians' significant role in the broader data literacy landscape. bit.ly/42YNDeb

This article highlights a study of Turkish academic library users to determine whether library activities boost patrons' sense of belonging. The study shows how social and cultural activities impact and shift user perception of the library beyond just a place to find information. bit.ly/3EBsrBS

Academic libraries are rapidly evolving and diversifying like the Cambrian Explosion. This article uses frameworks of evolutionary theory to explore how libraries can redefine their roles to meet unique community needs and remain vital today and in the future. bit.ly/4lLkU3S

In this article, Marianne Stowell Bracke and Stacy Winchester discuss the demands of data librarianship and their experiences with the Data Services Continuing Professional Education program as a way to address this critical education gap. bit.ly/3GmxK8F

Celebrating 25 years of portal, Vicki Coleman captured a chat with Sarah Pritchard, Northwestern University's Librarian Emerita and portal's Editor Emerita. Pritchard shared stories from her time guiding the journal, looking back at moments and projects that helped shape the journal. bit.ly/3S1VPnM

portal achieved its sustainability threshold for 2025 through Project MUSE's Subscribe 2 Open initiative! All content published in 2025 will be openly accessible on the Project MUSE platform throughout the calendar year. Read more about it here:

Read about a study that explores copyright law understanding among STEM graduate students at an R1 university. Interviews show confusion between copyright and plagiarism, and gaps in awareness regarding ownership of created materials. bit.ly/4izdPRn