The Center for Research Libraries (CRL) announces Grace Lilyerd as Collections Data Analyst on CRL's Collection Acquisition & Licensing Team. In this newly created role, Lilyerd will strengthen CRL's capacity to support member institutions through data-driven licensing negotiations and collection strategy.
Lilyerd comes to CRL from the University of Minnesota Libraries, where she served as a Collection and Acquisition Specialist with a strong focus on collections data management, analysis, and licensing support. At the University of Minnesota Libraries, she analyzed COUNTER and non-COUNTER usage data using tools such as Excel, Access, Tableau, Ex Libris Alma, and CELUS to inform collection strategy and support evidence-based decision-making. Her work emphasized clear communication of complex data to stakeholders and workflow development; evaluating and negotiating license amendments, creating original licenses for streaming and born-digital media, and serving as the subject matter expert for managing electronic and born-digital collections.
"Grace brings a rare combination of collections data expertise, licensing knowledge, and collaborative project leadership," said Lanette Garza, Director of Collections Acquisitions & Licensing. "In her role as CRL-NERL's first Collections Data Analyst, she will play a key role in supporting negotiations and strengthening our ability to align licensing strategies with CRL's mission, NERL Core Values, and the evolving needs of our member institutions."
As part of CRL's Collection Acquisition & Licensing Team, Lilyerd will work closely with CRL and NERL stakeholders to provide data insights that inform licensing negotiations and advance sustainable acquisitions and long-term stewardship of shared collections. This analytical capacity will help member libraries make more informed decisions about resource investments and collection development.
"I'm excited to support CRL's licensing negotiations by providing useful, descriptive data to our licensing teams and member libraries," said Lilyerd.
Lilyerd holds a Master's degree in Library and Information Science from Kent State University, a Bachelor's degree in History from the College of Saint Benedict, and a Project Management Certificate from the University of Minnesota. She begins her appointment with CRL on January 20. Please join us in welcoming her to CRL.
Center for Research Libraries (CRL) Based in Chicago, Illinois, the Center for Research Libraries is an enduring model for cooperative collection development and community building among the research library community. From its founding in 1949 by ten member libraries in the Midwestern United States, today CRL represents an international consortium of university, college, and independent research libraries collectively building, stewarding, and sharing a wealth of resources from all world regions to support inspired research and teaching.