What is the Association of College & Research Libraries?

The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), a division of the American Library Association, is a professional association of academic librarians and other interested individuals. It is dedicated to enhancing the ability of academic library and information professionals to serve the information needs of the higher education community and to improve learning, teaching, and research.

ACRL is the largest division of the American Library Association (ALA). ACRL currently has a membership of more than 12,000 members, accounting for nearly 20% of the total ALA membership.

History of ACRL (from ACRL's Guide to Policies and Procedures)

Developing a Strategic Plan

Documents related to ACRL's current strategic planning process (some of these items are availabe to ACRL members only )

Strategic Planning

• ACRL Strategic Priorities for 2009-2013 (PDF)
• Charting our Future: ACRL Strategic Plan 2020 (updated May 2009)
  • Assumptions about the Relevant Future for Academic and Research Librarians and Libraries (updated September 2006)
• Developing a strategic plan: ACRL focuses on the future, C&RL News article, May 2004

Member Research

• 2009 Membership Survey Findings: Final Report (June 2009)  (PDF)
• Focus Group Research Report (March 2009) (PDF)
• 2006 Membership Survey Findings: Final Report (June 13, 2006)  (PDF) 
• Focus Group Research Report (April 2005) (PDF)
• Final, Consolidated Report of 2003 Member Research (October, 2003) (DOC)
• Web Survey Results (October 2003)  (Word document)
• Telephone Research Summary (September 2003)  (Word document)

  Focus Group Research Report (April 2003)  (Word document)
• 2003 ACRL Environmental Scan

Annual Reports

2008-2009 Annual Report

2007-2008 / 2006-2007  / 2005-2006 / 2004-2005 / 2003-2004 / 2002-2003 / 2001-2002 / 2000–2001 / 1999–2000 / 1998–1999 / 1997–1998 / 1996–1997 / 1995–1996

Resources

ACRL President's Page
Staff Listing