Resources for external review panelists
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The Office for Accreditation seeks library and information professionals with an interest in providing quality assurance for ÂÜÀòÍøÊÓƵAccreditation of master’s level library and information studies programs to participate in the accreditation process as External Review Panelists. External Review Panelists need not be ÂÜÀòÍøÊÓƵmembers. Please see ERP service information for timeline, responsibilities, and typical activities.
Virtual Visits
Notes on evolving virtual review practice are available at Virtual Visit Guidance.
Training for External Review Panelists
New and experienced External Review Panelist (ERP) pool members are invited and encouraged to attend. Participants will learn about the role of ERP members in the ÂÜÀòÍøÊÓƵaccreditation process, hear from experienced panelists; and work in groups to analyze a sample Self-Study. Sessions focus on the Standards. Participation in a training session is preferred for placement on a review panel. For more information, contact accred@ala.org.
Training for External Review Panel Chairs
Experienced reviewers (two or more reviews) who are interested in serving as an ERP Chair are encouraged to attend. Program representatives who are interested in learning more about the comprehensive review process are also encouraged to attend and participate or just observe.
For more information, contact accred@ala.org.
Become a member of the External Review Panel (ERP) pool
The Office for Accreditation seeks library and information professionals to review master’s-level library and information studies programs. Please see ERP service information for timeline, responsibilities, and typical activities.
Please note, established panelists should submit their contact information changes to accred@ala.org.
General information
Accreditation standards, policies, and procedures
- 2008 and 2015 Standards for Accreditation and Accreditation Process, Policies and Procedures (AP3). Includes the Standards with numbered paragraphs and space for notes in both table format (Word) and spreadsheet format (Excel). Section III of AP3 provides specific guidelines for the External Review Panel.
Additional information and resources for assigned panelists
- Role and responsibilities of the ERP (pdf, from AP3, III.5 Role and responsibilities of the ERP)
- Appropriate panelist behavior (pdf)
- Tips for External Review Panel members (pdf)
- Analyzing the self study
- Examples of evidence for meeting the 2015 Standards (pdf, from AP3, fourth edition, Guidelines for the Program Presentation, II.7.4)
Guidance for programs (but also useful for ERPs) on implementing and documenting compliance with the 2015 Standards for Accreditation, compiled by members of the Committee on Accreditation.- Sample questionnaires for alumni and employers
- Sample questionnaire for current students (pdf)
- External Review Panel report (pdf, from Section III.7, AP3 - guidelines for content, format, organization, and deadlines of the ERP report
- Virtual Visit Guidelines
- External Review Panel travel - frequently asked questions