Academic Libraries And The Social Responsibility Challenge

Quality and performance of academic library in medium and long term depends on the higher education institution it belongs to, limitations of government as its major source of financing as well as on general development and social trends related to the activities and goals set in the process of library foundation. Academic libraries are constantly challenged with increasing requirements from their beneficiaries – customers but also with issues of sustainability, environment and social responsibility. The aim of this paper is to identify the major components and principles of library social responsibility and sustainability that need to be implemented in order to successfully meet the above mentioned challenges. The purpose of the research is to introduce the new proactive role of academic library based upon HEI and library management with emphasis on promoting values of social responsibility and in accordance with requirements of ecologically conscious society. The suggested model of academic library social responsibility is based on modified methodology of CSR Index created by Croatian Business Council and Croatian Chamber of Commerce that is used to measure social responsibility in Croatian companies. Research results have enabled creation of social responsibility matrix model for academic libraries. The model has identified the criteria for evaluation and self-evaluation of academic libraries