Introduction

Academic library websites are critical digital interfaces for service delivery, resource discovery, and institutional representation. Yet their strategic purpose is often ambiguously defined, especially in complex, evolving contexts. While literature highlights user-centered design and web governance, few studies examine how library administrators conceptualize the website’s role in relation to institutional missions. This study investigates how library leaders at a large Canadian university with a strong health sciences mandate articulate the purpose of academic library websites, and how these views shape governance and design decisions.

Description

Approved by the university’s research ethics board, the study used semi-structured interviews with associate university librarians and directors overseeing operations, digital strategy, and health sciences services. Conducted over three months in 2025 via video conferencing, interviews were transcribed and thematically analyzed. The protocol explored website functions, content priorities, institutional context, governance models, and stakeholder alignment. Surveys and focus groups were considered but set aside in favor of interviews for their depth and nuance.

Outcomes

Preliminary themes include access and discovery, space and service information, strategic positioning, outreach, subject-specific differentiation, and the website as a navigation hub. Analysis is ongoing and finalized themes will be presented as available.

Discussion

Findings have informed internal discussions on content strategy and design priorities. Strengths include depth of inquiry and relevance to planning; limitations include a single institution focus and absence of user perspectives. Future directions may include user research and tools to support strategic decision-making. The presentation will conclude with reflections on the evolving role of academic library websites.