<div dir="ltr"><div>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. </div><div><br></div><div>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. </div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>Bryan Miyagishima,</div><div>Oregon Library Association Vice-President</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Thu, Feb 19, 2026 at 2:58 PM Mark Peterson via Libs-Or <<a href="mailto:libs-or@omls.oregon.gov">libs-or@omls.oregon.gov</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div class="msg-1458997432092919753">





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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Dear Oregon Library Community<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">On behalf of the ACRL-OR Board<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">What's Changing<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">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.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Current 2020 Standard (2.H.1):</span></b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"> "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."<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Proposed 2027 Standard (2.F.1):</span></b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"> "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."<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">Why This Matters<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">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:</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Creates permission for institutions to eliminate or leave vacant librarian positions<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-9219453870755723544MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Disproportionately harms students at under-resourced institutions who rely most on professional library support<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-9219453870755723544MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Undermines libraries' essential role in information literacy, research consultation, and student success<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-9219453870755723544MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:0in">
<span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Weakens institutional capacity to manage complex information resources and vendor relationships<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">Recommended Actions<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Submit individual feedback to NWCCU expressing opposition to removing "employs qualified personnel" and advocating for strengthened language that explicitly recognizes librarian expertise</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">You input on this proposed change can be submitted to NWCCU here:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"><a href="https://nwccu.tfaforms.net/55" target="_blank">https://nwccu.tfaforms.net/55</a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">Feedback Opportunity<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Learn more about the proposed changes here:<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"><a href="https://nwccu.org/standards/standards-revision/" target="_blank">https://nwccu.org/standards/standards-revision/</a><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">Sample Feedback Language<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">We have prepared key points you can adapt for your own submission:</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Diminished accountability</span></b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"> - Removes measurable standards for professional library staffing, making it difficult to evaluate institutional compliance with quality
 expectations<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-9219453870755723544MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in">
<b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Inequitable outcomes</span></b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"> - 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<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-9219453870755723544MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0in">
<b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Compromised student success</span></b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"> - 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<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-9219453870755723544MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:0in">
<b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Institutional mission negligence</span></b><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"> - 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<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">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.<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Georgia",serif">Thank you for your support!<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0.5in"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif">ACRL-Oregon Board<u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)">Have a great day!</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)">Mark Peterson</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:black">Faculty Librarian, Collection Management Coordinator</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)">Mt. Hood Community College</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)">26000 SE Stark Street, Gresham, Or 97030</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)"><a href="mailto:mark.peterson@mhcc.edu" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">mark.peterson@mhcc.edu</span></a></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"Georgia",serif;color:rgb(33,33,33)">(503) 491-7693</span><u></u><u></u></p>
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To remove yourself from the Libs-Or mailing list please send the word “unsubscribe” (without quotes) to <a href="mailto:Libs-Or-request@omls.oregon.gov" target="_blank">Libs-Or-request@omls.oregon.gov</a></div></blockquote></div><div><br clear="all"></div><br><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div>Bryan Miyagishima (he/him), Director</div><div>Lincoln County Library District</div><div>Newport, Oregon</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div>