Association of Research Libraries

Association of Research Libraries is a nonprofit organization that represents the interests of research libraries in North America, including the Library of Congress, New York Public Library, and University of California, Berkeley libraries. The organization was founded in 1932 by a group of research library directors, including Keyes Metcalf and Rutherford D. Rogers, with the goal of promoting cooperation and innovation among research libraries. Today, the organization has over 125 member libraries, including the University of Michigan William L. Clements Library, Harvard University Widener Library, and Stanford University Green Library. The organization works closely with other library organizations, such as the American Library Association and the Council on Library and Information Resources.

● History

The history of the organization dates back to the early 20th century, when research libraries in the United States and Canada began to recognize the need for cooperation and collaboration. In the 1920s, library directors such as Herbert Putnam and William Warner Bishop played a key role in shaping the organization's early development, with support from institutions like the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Rockefeller Foundation. The organization was formally established in 1932, with the first meeting held at the New York Public Library. Over the years, the organization has undergone significant changes, including the expansion of its membership to include libraries from Canada and other countries, such as the University of Toronto and the National Library of Australia. The organization has also established partnerships with other organizations, such as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and the Coalition for Networked Information.

● Membership

The organization has over 125 member libraries, including some of the largest and most prestigious research libraries in North America, such as the University of California, Los Angeles Young Research Library and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Barker Engineering Library. Member libraries include academic libraries, such as the University of Chicago Regenstein Library and the California Institute of Technology Caltech Library, as well as national libraries, such as the Library and Archives Canada and the National Library of Medicine. Membership in the organization is open to research libraries that meet certain criteria, including the University of Oxford Bodleian Library and the University of Cambridge Cambridge University Library. The organization also has a number of affiliate members, including library organizations and vendors, such as the Online Computer Library Center and the Ex Libris Group.

● Advocacy_and_Policy

The organization is actively involved in advocacy and policy work, with a focus on issues such as copyright law, intellectual property, and open access. The organization works closely with other library organizations, such as the American Library Association and the Association of College and Research Libraries, to promote the interests of research libraries and their users, including students and faculty at institutions like the University of Texas at Austin and the Georgia Institute of Technology. The organization has also been involved in a number of high-profile campaigns, including the Google Books settlement and the Aaron Swartz case, which involved the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the JSTOR database. The organization has partnerships with other organizations, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Public Knowledge, to promote digital rights and access to information.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

The organization has a number of programs and initiatives aimed at promoting innovation and cooperation among research libraries, including the ARL Diversity and Inclusion Initiative and the ARL Leadership and Career Development Program. The organization also provides training and professional development opportunities for library staff, such as the ARL Academy and the Library Leadership and Management Association LLAMA programs. The organization has partnerships with other organizations, such as the Council on Library and Information Resources and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, to support library innovation and community engagement. The organization also sponsors research and publications on topics such as library assessment and scholarly communication, including the ARL Statistics and the ARL Annual Report.

● Leadership_and_Governance

The organization is governed by a board of directors, which includes representatives from member libraries, such as the University of Washington Suzzallo Library and the Duke University Perkins Library. The board is responsible for setting the organization's strategic direction and overseeing its operations, with support from the ARL Executive Committee and the ARL Council of Directors. The organization also has a number of committees and working groups, which focus on specific issues such as scholarly communication and library assessment, including the ARL Scholarly Communication Committee and the ARL Statistics and Assessment Committee. The organization has partnerships with other organizations, such as the Association of American Universities and the Council of Graduate Schools, to promote academic research and higher education.

● Publications_and_Research

The organization publishes a number of reports and research studies on topics such as library trends, scholarly communication, and library assessment, including the ARL Statistics and the ARL Annual Report. The organization also publishes a newsletter, ARL News, which provides updates on the organization's activities and initiatives, as well as news and analysis on issues affecting research libraries, such as copyright reform and open access publishing. The organization has partnerships with other organizations, such as the National Center for Education Statistics and the Institute of Education Sciences, to support library research and education policy. The organization's research and publications are widely cited and respected, and are used by library professionals, policymakers, and researchers at institutions like the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.