Taking the pulse: Share your voice on the state of libraries
The 2025 Clarivate Pulse of the Library survey is open and waiting for your input
Libraries today are navigating a landscape filled with opportunities and challenges. The rapid acceleration of AI is reshaping how information is discovered, accessed and understood. Open access scholarship is expanding the boundaries of knowledge sharing, while simultaneously challenging traditional publishing and acquisition models. All of this is unfolding under the weight of persistent budget constraints, staffing shortages and shifting institutional priorities.
In this moment of transformation, libraries are being asked to do more with less — while also reimagining their role in a digital-first, AI-powered world. How do they continue to evolve and meet patron and user needs in a fast-changing landscape?
The answer begins with listening. That’s what the Pulse of the Library survey, run in partnership with Library Journal this year, is designed to do.
A Global Snapshot of Library Realities
Now in its second year, the Pulse of the Library survey is a global initiative that captures the voices of library professionals across public, academic and national institutions. It explores how libraries are responding to technological change, what challenges they face and where they see opportunities for growth and impact.
This year’s survey builds on the momentum of the 2024 survey, exploring how libraries are integrating AI tools, what their top strategic focuses are and how they are adapting to the evolving needs of their stakeholders. It also gathers demographic insights to ensure a broad representative picture of the global library landscape.
Why Your Voice Matters
Participating in the Pulse of the Library survey is more than just answering a few questions — it’s a chance to shape the future of the profession. The insights gathered will inform a comprehensive report that helps the community understand what’s working, what’s not and what’s next.
By contributing your perspective, you help ensure that the realities of your library — whether it’s a small community branch or a large academic system — are reflected in the broader conversation. The data is made freely available for librarians, partners, vendors, and funders to analyze and use in decision-making.
Take the Survey
The survey is open now and takes only a few minutes to complete. Whether you’re a library director, a systems librarian or a collections specialist, your voice matters. Please take this opportunity to reflect, to share and to contribute to a collective vision for the future of libraries.
