The Center for Research Libraries supports academic and independent research libraries by providing shared resources, expert services, and programs. Through collaboration and shared access to rare and expansive collections, CRL empowers libraries to meet the evolving needs of scholars.
CRL’s services include collection development support, demand-driven digitization, licensing and preservation expertise, and access to global archival materials. By leveraging collective investment and shared infrastructure, CRL enables libraries and research institutions to expand access to critical research resources.
Demand Purchase Program
To meet scholars’ individual research needs, CRL purchases Doctoral Dissertations, Newspapers, Archival material on request.
Digitization Services
CRL generates millions of digitized pages each year from print and microform collections, primarily in response to suggestions and requests from our member libraries.
Shared Print
Shared print is a movement in which libraries work together on a coordinated, community-wide effort to preserve print collections through collective action.
Lending
Scholars and researchers have use of the CRL collections, at no charge, through interlibrary loan. Learn more about lending as a member and a non-member here.
Reading Room
Reading Room is open to all researchers with a need to use items from our collection. Appointments are available Monday–Friday.
Record Loading
Obtain CRL’s records at no cost, on a quarterly schedule. You can load all of the records, just the records for digitized material, or a subset such as records for newspapers.
Research Support
A research consultation can help you identify material in our collection that is relevant to your research topic. Use this form to specify the research help you are looking for and someone will reach out to schedule a time to work with you.