Libraries

Libraries

The Libraries of the Big Ten Academic Alliance are aligned in the vision of uniting our separate collections into one collection, shared and fully networked: the BIG Collection. By this phrase we mean a holistic and comprehensive understanding of what a library "collection" is: not simply the things we hold, but our services; our people; our expertise; our technology; and our infrastructure.

In advancing this future of interdependence and excellence, we are guided by our North Star in everything that we do:

In order to advance a just, trustworthy, scalable & sustainable open knowledge ecosystem, make open, more equitable scholarship our lead purpose.

On these pages, you'll find more about the services, programs, and community that are advancing this vision in a principles-centered, mission-driven, values-aligned way.

web accessibility
Library Accessibility Group webinar: Revised ADA Title II in the Library
The slides and recording from the webinar on August 27, 2024 are now available.
Explore the Future of Library Collaboration: Shared Print Collection White Paper Now Available
Discover the foundational ideas and strategic vision behind the Big Ten Academic Alliance's Shared Print Collection. This new white paper outlines the progress and collective benefits of transitioning to a distributed, networked archive. Learn how the Shared Print Collection is redefining access, equity, and collaboration for the Big Ten community and beyond.
big ten open books
Big Ten Open Books
Big Ten Open Books connects readers everywhere to fully accessible, trusted books from leading university presses. Established as a new model for open-access publishing focused on equity and inclusion, we invite you to explore our Gender and Sexuality studies collection.
BIG Collection: Resource Access Policy Harmonization Report
The Resource Access Policy Harmonization pilot team is pleased to share their final report. Aspirational in nature, the report includes the new BTAA Resource Sharing Agreement plus Scanning Standards; reaffirms the Principles and Protocols for Sharing Special Collections within the Big Ten; and articulates important next steps for future pilot projects and working group investigations.

Library News

The Power of the Collective: CIC Annual Report Now Available

Mar 10, 2016, 11:42 AM

The newly released CIC Annual Report details the collective power and progress of this enterprise, highlighting the Health Equities initiative between the state Departments of Health and the member schools; faculty collaborations in theater, music education, and business; and data on the economic impact of the scientific workforce and funded research being done across the campuses.

CIC member universities together have a powerful voice in the academic conversation both nationally and globally. With annual research expenditures topping more than $10 billion (more than the Ivy League and the University of California System combined), and spanning eleven states from the High Plains to the Eastern Seaboard, the fifteen universities of the CIC have an enormous influence in research and education far beyond their geographical footprint.

Annual-Report-Cover-2016The newly released CIC Annual Report details the collective power and progress of this enterprise, highlighting the Health Equities initiative between the state Departments of Health and the member schools; faculty collaborations in theater, music education, and business; and data on the economic impact of the scientific workforce and funded research being done across the campuses.