Become a Voting Member of CRL
North American not-for-profit academic or research institutions are eligible to become voting members of the Center for Research Libraries (CRL).
Each voting member institution may send up to two representatives to CRL’s annual Council Meeting. At this meeting, members:
- Review new and ongoing CRL initiatives
- Elect Board members
- Vote on the upcoming fiscal year’s budget
How to Apply for Voting Membership
CRL’s membership year runs from July 1 to June 30, but libraries may join on the first day of any month on a pro-rated basis.
To apply, submit a membership letter to CRL’s President. Your letter should include:
- A statement confirming your institution’s authorizing official has read and agrees to CRL’s bylaws
- A proposed start date
- Whether you'd like to enroll through the New Member Incentive Program (details below)
- A list of campus branches to be included in the membership
- Contact information for key staff
- A signature from the institution’s authorizing official
- Preferred signatory: Academic dean or provost; Alternate: Library director
Annual Cost Share
Rather than charging a flat membership fee, CRL uses a means-based cost share model. This approach is based on your institution’s five-year average of annual library materials expenditures (AME).
- Cost share rate: Just over 0.5% of your five-year average AME
- Minimum annual cost share: $1,200
- Maximum annual cost share: $78,000
- Example: A library with an AME of $1,000,000 would pay about $5,200 per year
What’s Included in AME: CRL defines AME as the total spending on books, periodicals, microforms, electronic media, and other library materials, including all branches covered under CRL membership.
New Member Incentive Program
Designed for first-time members or those returning after five years, this program offers a three-year ramp-up to full membership. Institutions joining mid-year still receive the reduced rates for their first two full membership years.
Cost-Share Discount Schedule:
- Year 1: Pay 1/3 of your regular cost share
- Year 2: Pay 2/3 of your cost share
- Year 3: Pay the full cost share
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