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Dear CLC Academic Library Members:

Almost all CLC member academic institutions are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. NECHE's standards define how colleges and universities demonstrate legitimacy, direct funding priorities, and organize their academic and student support systems.

THE ISSUE

Historically, academic libraries have been a respected and necessary part of the accreditation standards for NECHE institutions. However, CLC was alarmed to learn that NECHE's proposed standards for 2026 eliminate all references to libraries, librarians, and library services. This is a dramatic change from the 2021 standards currently in effect, which specifically recognize libraries, library staff, information resources, and librarians as essential components of institutional quality. The nonprofit EveryLibrary Institute has conducted a detailed analysis of the 2021 and proposed 2026 standards which clearly demonstrates this alarming shift.

CLC'S RESPONSE

NECHE invited public comment on the draft standards, initially through October 15 (now extended through the end of October). CLC Executive Director Ellen Paul submitted a statement expressing deep concern over the elimination of library-related references. Read the full statement here.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

1. Submit written feedback: NECHE has extended the period to submit written feedback through the end of October. Submit comments to standardsreview@neche.org.

2. Attend a listening session on the new standards specifically for librarians and library staff: There has apparently been sufficient pushback from the library community that NECHE has scheduled a (very short) listening session on the new standards specifically for librarians and library staff:


NECHE Standards Revisions feedback virtual meeting – LIBRARY

Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Join Meeting

3. Attend a general listening session on the new standards:

NECHE Standards Revisions feedback virtual meeting
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Join Meeting

Please note - there is no registration required for the virtual meetings. Just click the "Join Meeting" link at the appropriate time.

CLC IS HERE FOR YOU

If you have questions or additional information to share about the proposed NECHE standards, please contact Ellen Paul at epaul@ctlibrarians.org.

CLC extends our thanks to Katie Bauer, Associate Director for Collection Development and Management at Quinnipiac University and chair of the CLC Board of Trustees, for alerting CLC to this critically important issue.

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