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.
Academy Owned Scholarly Publishing Landscape Report
Launched in the fall of 2022, the Big Ten Academic Alliance [BTAA] landscape assessment of academy owned scholarly publishing activities explores the shared challenges and opportunities facing publishing programs and operations within the Big Ten institutions.
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

Big Ten Academic Alliance and ASERL partner to form Library Accessibility Alliance

Jan 7, 2020, 11:44 AM

The Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL) and the Big Ten Academic Alliance have created a new name for their recent partnership to advance accessibility for library electronic resources. Now called the “Library Accessibility Alliance” (LAA), the program seeks to ensure all library users have equitable access to information.

The Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL) and the Big Ten Academic Alliance  have created a new name for their recent partnership to advance accessibility for library electronic resources.  Now called the “Library Accessibility Alliance” (LAA), the program seeks to ensure all library users have equitable access to information.  An eight-person Steering Committee provides overall direction for the work.
ASERL logo

Since 2016, the Big Ten Academic Alliance has been conducting third-party evaluations of electronic resource platforms and collections, publicly posting the evaluations for review by vendors, libraries, and users.  Big Ten Libraries drafted and recommended accessibility licensing language as well. ASERL joined the effort in October 2019, working with Big Ten Libraries to increase the accessibility testing work and to conduct an analysis on the effectiveness and impact of the testing on vendor electronic resources. The partnership is also exploring other accessibility initiatives where they can partner effectively.

“Recent news articles and conversations with many colleagues indicate there is strong interest and energy among library consortia to help ensure all library users have equal access to content,” commented John Burger, ASERL’s Executive Director. “We selected the name ‘Library Accessibility Alliance’ because it is intentionally broad, allowing for our program to expand -- and to offer visibility for work done by and with others, too,” noted Joseph A. Salem, Jr., Dean of Michigan State University Libraries and Big Ten Director Liaison to LAA.  

Library Accessibility Alliance Steering Committee:

  • Beth Ashmore, Associate Head of Acquisitions & Discovery, North Carolina State University
  •  Sara Belmont, Web Developer, College of William & Mary Libraries
  • Jon Ezell, Coordinator for Creative Media & Instructional Design, University of Alabama
  • Anita Foster, Electronic Resources Officer & Assistant Professor, Ohio State University
  • Jessica Harris, Electronic Resources Management Librarian, University of Chicago
  • Amy Kimura, Web Services Librarian, Rutgers University
  • JJ Pionke, Applied Health Sciences Librarian, University of Illinois
  • Heidi Schroeder, Accessibility Coordinator, Michigan State University Libraries 

The program is supported by Robert Van Rennes (BTAA) and Elaina Norlin (ASERL).


Next Steps

While the accessibility evaluations continue, LAA will examine how information providers have responded to previous tests and measure improvements over time. LAA leaders will also soon publish a curated resource list for anyone wishing to learn more about library accessibility issues.


Contacts

Robert Van Rennes, Associate Director, Library Initiatives, Big Ten Academic Alliance

Elaina Norlin, Program Coordinator for Professional Development/DEI, Association of Southeastern Research Libraries