Strategic Directions
CRL will launch a new strategic plan for fiscal year 2027, shaped by member input. While some priorities
are already taking shape, we need to hear more—from you. CRL is a member-governed organization
that helps libraries work together at scale, to sustain research collections and catalyze collective
action. In a time of uncertainty for libraries and higher education, this matters more than ever. CRL is
ready to grow and invest in the future of research libraries. We are glad you’re here.
Sustaining our Commons
CRL is the original cooperative print archive, built through 76 years of collective investment in a shared
resource. Nobel Laureate Elinor Ostrom wrote that tragedies of the commons occur when “no one
communicates, everyone acts independently, no attention is paid to the effects of one’s actions, and the
costs of trying to change […] are high.” CRL helps avoid that failure. We foster communication, share
responsibility, and shift costs to the right level so collaboration makes sense.
Solving for Collections and Access
CRL began with access to global information, bringing international materials to Chicago for North
American researchers. Now, we are setting our sights on global access information, by examining barriers
and developing solutions that promote preservation and enhance access. Sometimes that means
acquiring materials on behalf of the network. It also means exploring accessibility standards, licensing
term, and metadata creation to unlock hard-to-find resources. CRL will always be a safe harbor for
unique or at-risk materials and a problem-solver for hard-to-access content.
Amplifying Your Investment
CRL is both a working library and a space for professional growth. We have been restructuring CRL to
be more sustainable and more responsive, with the staff, systems, and infrastructure to turn ideas into
action. Our membership includes innovative institutions and leading experts. Because we are independent,
we can support our members by testing new approaches, and by scaling and sustaining what
works. Your investment in CRL has built this capacity. It is ready to serve, and to grow.
Enhancing Our Network
CRL’s 200-member network across the U.S. and Canada shares the cost of a large research collection.
For less than 1% of their collections budget, members ensure open access for global materials and gain
access to over 6 million items, industry-leading licensing rates, and a voice in shaping shared infrastructure.
CRL is more than collections and services, though: It is a platform for innovation, collaboration,
and action. The investment each new member brings into this organization expands our capacity to
deliver more for everyone.