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In an environment in which libraries need to demonstrate value, illustrating how the library contributes to student learning is critical. Gathering and analyzing data to tell the library's story as well as identify areas for improvement require commitment, time, effort, and resources--all components of a culture of assessment. This paper presents the results of a survey designed to understand what factors facilitate the development of a culture of assessment of student learning in academic libraries and what factors may hinder it. Unlike previous research in this area, which has focused on case studies and surveys with nonrepresentative samples, the authors conducted a systematic survey of academic libraries at four-year institutions in the United States and achieved a 42 percent response rate. The results suggest certain factors are highly associated with a culture of assessment and provide guidance to administrators and front-line librarians working to build such a culture.

Each year, "Library Journal" recognizes 50 or so emerging leaders in the profession as Movers & Shakers. These library professionals are passionate about the work they do and are moving the profession forward, often in creative and innovative ways. Some of these individuals enjoyed and were encouraged by amazing institutional support and acknowledgment, while others received minimum internal support for their innovative work. This made the authors wonder how the entire cohort has been shaped, encouraged, or discouraged by their institutions. While Movers & Shakers tend to be highly self-motivated on the whole, all of them are affected by organizational culture and management that can either spur them on or deter them. Do Movers & Shakers have supportive relationships within their institutions? What can organizations do to foster and encourage creativity and innovation in library service? In January 2008, the authors set out to answer these questions with a survey of the 300 Movers & Shakers recognized between 2002 and 2007. The authors wanted to explore how they perceive their work within the profession, how they are bolstered by their institutions, and what they want from their careers. The authors found out that while, in general, Movers & Shakers have high job satisfaction, they also, too often, struggle to get the backing and time they need to keep creating positive change.