Overview / Background
The CRL Repository Certification Program was active beginning in 2006 as a structured process for evaluating digital repositories of interest to CRL member libraries. The initiative is now inactive, and certification activities are no longer ongoing.
Current Status
The CRL Repository Certification Program is no longer an active, standalone initiative at the Center for Research Libraries (CRL). Formerly issued certification reports remain available as historical documentation of CRL’s assessment work.
History: Founding and Context
The program began in 2006, when CRL began certifying digital repositories on behalf of its member community. The initiative was created to support strategic print archiving and to enable CRL libraries to make evidence based decisions when transitioning to electronic only formats where appropriate.
To ensure that each assessment reflected the full interests of the CRL community, CRL created an advisory body—the CRL Certification Advisory Panel—whose members represented preservation, collection development, and library information technology expertise.
History: Key Points
- This project intended to evaluate and certify trusted digital repositories and support responsible migration from print to electronic holdings.
- CRL member libraries and the broader research community require reliable, preservation focused digital repositories.
- The project began in 2006; now inactive.
- The goal was to assess the trustworthiness, sustainability, and preservation practices of major digital repositories relevant to CRL member libraries; to provide guidance that supported CRL’s long term preservation mission.
Ongoing Relevance to CRL’s Mission
Although no longer active, the certification reports continue to inform CRL’s preservation strategy and community guidance. The frameworks developed during certification help shape CRL’s evaluation methods across digital preservation services.
Funders or Sponsorship and Partners
The program operated under CRL leadership with participation from the CRL Certification Advisory Panel, which included experts in Digital Preservation from member institutions.
Launch and Scope
The certification initiative launched in 2006 and evaluated digital repositories on their preservation infrastructure, sustainability, and service reliability. Over its active span, CRL completed assessments of six organizations relevant to CRL members.
Membership or Participation
Participation included
- CRL staff
- The CRL Certification Advisory Panel
- Representatives from evaluated repositories (as part of the review and documentation process)
Key Activities
- Certification of digital repositories
- Expert panel reviews
- Assessment of repository policies, technologies, and governance structures
- Publication of certification reports
- Guidance to CRL member libraries on trusted digital preservation options
Repositories Certified
- Canadiana.org
- Chronopolis
- CLOCKSS
- HathiTrust
- Portico
- Scholars Portal
Page updated 2/13/2026