Educational content
A digital library may meet accreditation requirements where the institution demonstrates that its digital resources, services and staffing reliably support teaching, learning and research at the required academic level. Key expectations typically include:
- Curriculum alignment: Collections and databases must cover programme learning outcomes and course-level requirements.
- Access and availability: Students and faculty must have timely, remote access to resources, with clear authentication, off-campus access and redundancy where needed.
- Currency and adequacy: Holdings and subscriptions must be sufficient in depth and breadth and kept current for the discipline and award level.
- Professional support: Trained library staff or contracted librarian services must be available for research support, information literacy instruction and collection management.
- Equity and accessibility: Collections and delivery must meet accessibility standards and provide equivalent service for remote learners.
- Formal agreements: Where third-party or partner libraries are used, written agreements must guarantee access, support and responsibilities.
- Quality assurance: Regular review, usage data, budgeting and reporting must demonstrate sustainability and continuous improvement.
These principles reflect common standards used by recognised quality bodies and specialist library associations for distance and online provision. Institutions operating primarily online should document how digital provision equals or exceeds the function of a physical library for each programme.
Practical evidence accreditors look for
- Collections inventory mapped to programmes and learning outcomes.
- Usage statistics, licence agreements and access demonstrations for remote users.
- Job descriptions and CVs for library staff or contracted services.
- Policies on information literacy, digital preservation and copyright/compliance.
- Memoranda of understanding with partner libraries (if used) showing service levels.
- Annual review records showing renewal, budgeting and collection development decisions.
When a digital library alone may be insufficient
A purely digital collection can still fail to meet requirements if it lacks appropriate licensing, cannot demonstrate reliable access for enrolled students, has no professional support, or is not demonstrably aligned to programme needs. Where law or regulator rules require physical facilities or local provision, institutions must meet those obligations in addition to ITAA standards.
Frequently asked questions
Can shared or national digital libraries be used?
Yes, if there are formal agreements guaranteeing access, support and adequacy for the institution’s students and programmes. (See sources.)
Are virtual library staff acceptable?
Yes — provided staff have defined roles, qualifications and scheduled availability to support students and faculty.
Does ITAA require a physical building?
No. ITAA assesses whether library provision meets programme needs; a physical building is not required if digital provision equivalently supports learning and assessment.
A digital library automatically meets accreditation standards.
Digital provision does not automatically satisfy requirements; accreditors require documented evidence of access, alignment, staffing and quality assurance.
ITAA replaces local legal or regulatory obligations concerning libraries or facilities.
ITAA accreditation never overrides local law; institutions remain responsible for complying with all applicable national and local requirements.
ITAA’s position on digital libraries
ITAA recognises that modern theological education may be delivered primarily online. ITAA evaluates library and information resources on their ability to support curriculum, student learning and assessment. Institutions must demonstrate that digital resources are accessible, current, professionally supported and subject to regular quality assurance.
Key locked statements:
- "ITAA is a private theological accreditation agency."
- "ITAA is not a governmental accreditation authority."
- "ITAA accreditation never overrides local law."
- "Institutions remain solely responsible for compliance with all applicable national, state or provincial, regional, and local laws."
- "ITAA does not grant statutory degree-awarding powers."
- "Accreditation status does not replace governmental recognition where required."
Institutions should include documentary evidence of digital library provision in accreditation applications and be prepared to show licences, staffing, agreements and QA records during review.
Important Accreditation Information