New ARL Rankings Released

Each year with the publication of the Chronicle of Higher Education’s Almanac issue, ARL’s ranking index is released. Based on data from June 30, 2007, UK’s ranking has risen slightly. We are currently ranked #62 among all 113 ARL libraries; #35 among public university libraries. Last year’s rankings were #63 and #37 respectively. You may recall that ARL began using a new set of criteria (based largely on expenditures) with last year’s index. Frankly, UK does not fare as well in this new index as we did in the previous one. You'll find a chart which provides a summary of our ranking in this new index since 2003 in the version of this Dean's update on our SharePoint site.

Rankings do not, of course, reflect the dedication, commitment, services and successes we have had in providing the needed services and collections for our faculty, staff and students. But, they are one way in which the University measures progress toward its goal to be a Top 20 public university.