[Libs-Or] IMPORTANT PLEASE READ: NWCC Accreditation Standards Update

[Bryan Miyagishima]

I'd like to echo Mark's request to provide input to NWCCU regarding their
proposed change to accreditation language. Accreditation is one of the few
pieces of leverage that academic libraries have to ensure
continued/improved staffing. Do I think that institutions would take
advantage of reduced standards to reduce library costs? Please keep in mind
that even with the current NWCCU language several of our academic
institutions, including Linn-Benton Community College, Oregon Coast
Community College, and the University of Oregon have greatly reduced
staffing in the last few years.

If you believe that information literacy and research instruction is vital
for our students, you want our libraries to have qualified personnel. If
you believe that collection development and support that meets the needs of
local programs is important, you want our libraries to have qualified
personnel. If you believe that academic librarians lend themselves to
course, program, and student excellence at our institutions then you wish
for them to have qualified personnel.

And if you feel that just because you're a public or school or special
librarian that you are not qualified to comment, please know that you are a
community member whose community is served by graduates of your local
college, and whose financial health is impacted by the quality of your
local college. Therefore you are a stakeholder and your voice is important.
Although I am. no longer working in academia I shall be sending in my own
input.

Bryan Miyagishima,
Oregon Library Association Vice-President

On Thu, Feb 19, 2026 at 2:58 PM Mark Peterson via Libs-Or <
libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:

> Dear Oregon Library Community
>
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>
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>
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> On behalf of the ACRL-OR Board
>
>
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> We are writing to alert you to a critical proposed change in the Northwest
> Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) accreditation standards
> that would significantly weaken requirements for academic library staffing
> across our region.
>
>
>
> *What's Changing*
>
> NWCCU is currently revising their 2020 Accreditation Standards for
> implementation in 2027. They are proposing to remove the requirement that
> institutions "employ qualified personnel" from the library resources
> standard.
>
>
>
> *Current 2020 Standard (2.H.1):* "Consistent with its mission, the
> institution employs qualified personnel and provides access to library and
> information resources with a level of currency, depth, and breadth
> sufficient to support and sustain the institution's mission, programs, and
> services."
>
>
>
> *Proposed 2027 Standard (2.F.1):* "Consistent with its mission, the
> institution provides access to library and information resources with a
> level of currency, depth, and breadth sufficient to support and sustain the
> institution's mission, programs, and services."
>
>
>
>
>
> *Why This Matters*
>
> This change eliminates accountability for employing credentialed library
> professionals at accredited institutions. Academic librarianship requires
> specialized graduate education, typically a Master's degree from an
> ALA-accredited program, in information organization, research
> methodologies, instructional design, and collection management. Removing
> this requirement:
>
>
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>    - Creates permission for institutions to eliminate or leave vacant
>    librarian positions
>    - Disproportionately harms students at under-resourced institutions
>    who rely most on professional library support
>    - Undermines libraries' essential role in information literacy,
>    research consultation, and student success
>    - Weakens institutional capacity to manage complex information
>    resources and vendor relationships
>
>
>
> *Recommended Actions*
>
> Submit individual feedback to NWCCU expressing opposition to removing
> "employs qualified personnel" and advocating for strengthened language that
> explicitly recognizes librarian expertise
>
>
>
> You input on this proposed change can be submitted to NWCCU here:
>
> https://nwccu.tfaforms.net/55
>
>
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> *Feedback Opportunity*
>
>
>
> Learn more about the proposed changes here:
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> https://nwccu.org/standards/standards-revision/
>
>
>
>
>
> *Sample Feedback Language*
>
> We have prepared key points you can adapt for your own submission:
>
>
>
>
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>    - *Diminished accountability* - Removes measurable standards for
>    professional library staffing, making it difficult to evaluate
>    institutional compliance with quality expectations
>    - *Inequitable outcomes* - Under-resourced institutions may use this
>    change as justification to eliminate or leave vacant librarian positions,
>    disproportionately harming students at community colleges and smaller
>    institutions who most need professional support
>    - *Compromised student success* - Loss of professional research
>    consultation and information literacy instruction directly impacts
>    students' ability to complete coursework, develop critical thinking skills,
>    and meet program learning outcomes
>    - *Institutional mission negligence* - Without specialized librarian
>    expertise in collection development, licensing negotiations, archives, and
>    emerging and cutting-edge technologies, institutions waste resources and
>    cannot adequately support faculty scholarship or curricular needs
>
> This is a critical moment for academic libraries in the Northwest. Your
> voice matters. Please take action and encourage your colleagues to do the
> same. If you have questions or need assistance preparing feedback, please
> don't hesitate to reach out.
>
>
>
> Thank you for your support!
>
>
>
> ACRL-Oregon Board
>
>
>
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> Have a great day!
>
>
>
>
>
> Mark Peterson
>
> Faculty Librarian, Collection Management Coordinator
>
> Mt. Hood Community College
>
> 26000 SE Stark Street, Gresham, Or 97030
>
> mark.peterson at mhcc.edu
>
> (503) 491-7693
> --
> To remove yourself from the Libs-Or mailing list please send the word
> “unsubscribe” (without quotes) to Libs-Or-request at omls.oregon.gov
>


-- 
Bryan Miyagishima (he/him), Director
Lincoln County Library District
Newport, Oregon
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