May 25, 2023. – The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) have published a report, Observations on Research Libraries’ Alignment with Institutional STEM Priorities.
This report synthesizes the two associations’ joint exploration of the need for, and nature of, alignment of research libraries with their universities’ STEM priorities. The report notes the challenges to be overcome, and provides examples of the ways libraries are already working to strengthen and support STEM at their institutions. The report includes a summary of common themes as well as observations of each institution visited.
For this study, ARL and CARL conducted one-day site visits to four US institutions—Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Northwestern University, and Purdue University—and two Canadian institutions—McMaster University and University of Toronto. These present a mix of public and private institutions and serve as examples, rather than as a representation, of the two associations’ joint membership.
ARL and CARL hope members will find this report useful as they consider their paths forward in the realm of STEM alignment with their institutions.
About the Association of Research Libraries
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of research libraries in Canada and the US whose vision is to create a trusted, equitable, and inclusive research and learning ecosystem and prepare library leaders to advance this work in strategic partnership with member libraries and other organizations worldwide. ARL’s mission is to empower and advocate for research libraries and archives to shape, influence, and implement institutional, national, and international policy. ARL develops the next generation of leaders and enables strategic cooperation among partner institutions to benefit scholarship and society. ARL is on the web at ARL.org.
About the Canadian Association of Research Libraries
CARL members include Canada’s twenty-nine largest university libraries as well as two national libraries. Enhancing research and higher education are at the heart of its mission. CARL develops the capacity to support this mission, promotes effective and sustainable scholarly communication, and advocates for public policy that enables broad access to scholarly information.
