Curriculum Shifts and Library Strategy

What Emerging Higher Education Trends Mean For Academic Libraries and How Data Driven Curation Helps Libraries Stay Ahead

Higher education is in the midst of sustained transformation. Institutions are revisiting curriculum models, expanding online and flexible learning options and responding to growing demand for programs aligned with workforce needs. At the same time, students and faculty are navigating a changing research and learning environment. AI is changing routines and testing the limits of academic integrity. For academic libraries, these changes present both opportunity and pressure. Collections must support evolving curricula, emerging fields of study and interdisciplinary research while remaining responsive to student demand and institutional priorities. Libraries are increasingly expected to justify collection decisions with data, demonstrate alignment with academic programs and deliver equitable access at scale.

Drawing on recent higher education trend analysis from Hanover Research, the 2025 Pulse of the Library report and other related data sources, this paper explores:

• • Key curriculum and enrollment trends shaping higher education today
  • Why these trends matter for academic libraries
  • How ProQuest uses data driven curation to help libraries build collections that keep pace with student and faculty expectations

Explore a strategic solution for aligning your collections with emerging academic trends.