Must an institution have a library?

Educational guidance

ITAA expects every institution to ensure students have timely access to sufficient and appropriate learning and research resources to meet programme learning outcomes. This includes collections, discovery tools, information-literacy support and staff or arrangements to assist research and study. Institutions may meet this expectation through one or more of the following models:

• On-site physical library: a managed collection, reading spaces and staffed services appropriate to the scale and level of provision.
• Hybrid model: a smaller physical collection combined with extensive licensed electronic resources, learning‑commons services and embedded librarian support.
• Fully digital library: robust, institutionally controlled access to e-books, journals, databases, repositories and learning platforms plus documented support for discovery and information literacy.
• Shared or consortium arrangements: formal agreements giving students reliable access to another institution’s physical and/or electronic collections, with clear terms for discovery, borrowing and support.

What matters is demonstrable alignment between resources and the level of independent learning expected (undergraduate vs postgraduate), reliable access for all enrolled students, and evidence of staffing, policies and budgets that sustain resources and services.

Legal and quality-assurance points

Institutions remain responsible for complying with all applicable national, regional and local laws relating to operating an educational provider and issuing qualifications. ITAA accreditation does not replace governmental recognition or statutory requirements for facilities or services that may exist in particular jurisdictions. Institutions must hold any licences or approvals required by law before issuing awards.

During review, evaluators look for documented resource policies (collection development, access, licensing), staffing or partnership agreements, and evidence that students and faculty can reliably use the resources required by the curriculum.

Practical checklist for institutions

Provide concise evidence for reviewers by including:

1. Inventory or description of collections and major electronic subscriptions;
2. Access arrangements for remote students and consortium agreements where used;
3. Staffing or librarian support model and information-literacy training plans;
4. Budget lines or renewal plans for subscriptions and collection maintenance;
5. Policies for discovery, borrowing, fair use, open access and digital preservation.

Shortfalls should be mitigated with clear timebound improvement plans during application or re-accreditation.