REVIEW OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES
Analysis and Review of the
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
Monica J. Stam
LIB 200-07 Professor Tash
San Jose State University
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REVIEW OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES
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Abstract
The following is a review of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL).
This association is comprised of library and information science professionals who work in or
are interested in academic libraries. The association highlights the issues and trends of college
and research libraries both in the United States and abroad. This review will discuss the history,
goals, membership information, web presence and guidelines of the ACRL.
Keywords: history, academic library, library science, library
REVIEW OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES
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Analysis and Review of the Association of College and Research Libraries
The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) is a division of the American
Library Association (ALA). The ACRL is comprised of academic librarians, students, academic
paraprofessional staff and interested individuals dedicated to serving the information needs of the
higher education community and to improve learning, teaching, and research
(http://www.ala.org/acrl/aboutacrl).
The ACRL first began as the College Library Section in 1890 when 15 academic
librarians met in New Hampshire for an informal discussion on topics relating to their work
(Davis & Petrowski, 2009). The College Library Section grew and eventually changed its name
to the Association of College and Research Libraries and now has over 12,000 members, making
up 20% of the total ALA membership (http://www.ala.org/acrl/aboutacrl).
Membership to ACRL must be made concurrently with ALA membership. The cost for
membership in total for both the ALA and the ACRL is $122 for new members ($57 of this price
goes to the ACRL), $155 for renewals and $67 for students. Membership includes print and
electronic copies of the bimonthly journal, College and Research Libraries, eleven issues of the
magazine College and Research Libraries News, section newsletters, and discounts on ACRL
publications such as Academic Library Trends and Statistics
(http://www.ala.org/acrl/membership/benefits).
Along with the various journals, magazines and discounts offered with a membership,
potential members might be attracted to the large community and peer support offered through
the ACRL. The ACRL offers advancement opportunities, e-learning seminars and the biennial
ACRL conference. Scholarships and grants are offered to librarians and library students to offset
costs of the e-learning classes.
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The ACRL website’s format is identical to the ALA. It is very easy to navigate and
information is easily found. The side task bar made it easy to search for the topic of interest. The
search bar on the top right of the screen is also an easy way to access information. One aspect of
the ACRL’s webpage that sets it apart is the numerous opportunities for online learning
including online courses, live webcasts and onpoint chats. Online courses include classes such as
Implementing Online Teaching and Learning: Using Moodle and Other Web 2.0 and Mobile
Apps (http://www.ala.org/acrl/courses).
There are 17 sections within the ACRL that give library and informational professionals
the opportunity to individualize their membership. Sections include rare books and manuscripts,
science and technology, arts, and western European studies. Each section has a detailed webpage
dedicated to distributing information about the board of directors, meetings, and general
information. For example, the Western European Studies Section (WESS) webpage has
information on Officers, Committees, discussion groups and fundraising all within the WESS
section group (http://wessweb.info/index.php/Main_Page). Many members of WESS make
literary contributions to the webpage, review books and release information in multiple European
languages.
The ACRL also releases guidelines and standards for academic libraries that are created
by members and reviewed and updated regularly (http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards). The
guidelines are by no means enforceable but rather set in place to help librarians create and
maintain academic libraries of the highest caliber. The ACRL Guide to Policies and Procedures
(http://www.ala.org/acrl/resources/policies/chapter14) states the rules and regulations for the
review and creation of these guidelines. Reports are often translated into foreign languages by
member volunteers to be used in international libraries. An example of this is the Information
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Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education (2000), which is published in 8 languages.
These standards were approved in October 2011 by the ACRL Board of Directors and published
in the January 2012 edition of College and Research Libraries News. These reports are easily
found under Guidelines and Standards on the homepage of the ACRL’s website.
These guidelines and standards for college and research libraries are approved by the
board of directors of the ACRL and are often used and endorsed by other associations serving the
academic library community. The Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher
Education (2000), for example, was endorsed by the American Association for Higher Education
and the Council of Independent Colleges. Working with different academic associations and
offering guidelines and standards in multiple languages ensures that reports generated by the
ACRL have input from multiple sources and reach a wide audience.
Overall, the ACRL offers a lively and active association for information professionals
interested in academic libraries. There are many aspects that would attract a library and
information professional to the ACRL. These include a dynamic and informative website, active
subsections within the ACRL for members’ particular interests, eLearning opportunities,
multiple magazines and journals, and many opportunities to meet with other members at
conferences and meetings.
REVIEW OF THE ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES
References
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). (n.d.). About ACRL. Retrieved from
http://www.ala.org/acrl/aboutacrl
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). (n.d.). Why join ACRL? Retrieved
from http://www.ala.org/acrl/membership/benefits
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). (n.d.). Online courses. Retrieved from
http://www.ala.org/acrl/courses
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). (n.d.). ACRL guide to policies and
procedures. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/acrl/resources/policies/chapter14
Davis, M.E.K., & Petrowski, M.J. (2009) Association of College and Research Libraries
(ACRL). Encyclopedia of Library and Information Sciences, Third Edition.
doi:10.1081/E-ELIS3-120044419
Information standards for libraries in higher education. (2012). College and Research Libraries
News, 73(1), 34-48.
Western European Studies Section. (n.d.) Main Page. Retrieved from
http://wessweb.info/index.php/Main_Page
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