Armstrong presents at national academic library conference

Albertsons Library's Associate Dean, Michelle Armstrong, recently presented at Sustaining the Future of Academic Libraries, a national peer-reviewed conference hosted by Library Journal. Published continuously since 1876, Library Journal is one of the oldest and most influential publications in the library profession.

Armstrong's presentation, "Alignment Under Pressure: Managing Up in Volatile Academic Environments," explored how academic libraries can remain resilient and effective amid increasing organizational and societal disruption. Drawing on experiences navigating institutional change at Boise State, the presentation examined practical approaches to responding to volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity through learning agility, proactive communication, systems thinking and mission-focused alignment.

"The pressures facing academic libraries today are not temporary challenges. They reflect a broader environment of continual change," Armstrong said. "Focusing on how employees have the agency to help create alignment and improve decision-making, is an important force that can strengthen organizational resilience during times of uncertainty."

The conference addressed the reality that many universities are operating in increasingly challenging environments. Technological disruption, workforce transitions, financial constraints, demographic shifts and growing questions about the value of higher education have created new challenges for library leaders and employees alike. By bringing practitioners together to share experiences and strategies, the conference emphasized the skills and approaches libraries must cultivate to remain effective, relevant and mission-driven amid ongoing changes.

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