For close to a century, the Association of Research Libraries has addressed issues of concern to the library, research, higher education, and scholarly communities. The Association was established at a meeting in Chicago in December 1932, by the directors of 42 major university and research libraries that recognized the need for coordinated action and desired a forum to address common problems.  The Association incorporated in 1961 under the laws of the District of Columbia noting that “the particular business and objects of the society shall be: Exclusively for literary, educational and scientific purposes by strengthening research libraries.”

The Association of Research Libraries is a membership organization of libraries and archives in major public and private universities, federal government agencies, and large public institutions in Canada and the US. They advocate on research libraries’ behalf, convene our research and higher education partners, share intelligence on current issues, and develop the next generation of diverse library leaders.