“I didn’t realize that I needed books that often:” Demonstrating library value during the temporary closure of an academic branch library

Abstract

Demonstrating academic library value is crucial in this era of budget cuts and freely available online resources. This article provides a unique complement to existing research on library value. The author uses a qualitative approach known as narrative inquiry to evaluate patron experiences during the temporary closure of an academic branch library. The findings suggest that losing the branch library greatly disrupted students’ routine and compromised their scholarly effectiveness. The loss of branch library services allowed patrons to recognize the importance of their library, thereby providing compelling support for the value of libraries.