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An analysis of the ability of a particular library to significantly increase its Association of Research Libraries (ARL) ranking in a reasonable time period is presented. A discussion follows to show why this is not a useful objective at a time when academic libraries are transitioning to new types of products and services made possible by emerging technologies. Various initiatives are under way in the USA and Europe to create more meaningful performance measures for academic libraries.

Aims to describe one academic health science center library's experience with expanding reference librarian leadership roles in implementing institutional repository initiatives.

The institutional repository project development phases are briefly documented. The rationale for selecting reference librarians to lead the initiative and resultant role changes is discussed.

Reference librarians are strategically placed to promote and administer institutional repository initiatives successfully. The professional challenge rests in reference librarians' readiness to become scholarly publishing change agents.

This case study documents a successful approach to incorporating institutional repository projects into existing library roles in addition to providing new leadership opportunities for reference librarians.

Reference librarian roles in institutional repository projects and the evolution of organizational roles are not addressed in the heavily technology‐ and marketing‐based institutional repository literature.

Baby Boom generation librarians, those over 40 who have not been promoted into supervisory and managerial positions, are important but often‐undervalued assets to the libraries that employ them. Their presence in the library workforce, and the issues surrounding them, are similar to those in the workforce as a whole. A truly diverse organization reflects both major racial and ethnic groups, and different generations. Managers are challenged to maximize the often‐considerable expertise of these librarians. Older librarians are challenged to maintain their enthusiasm and commitment to their professional careers, and to contribute commensurably to their respective libraries.