The Center for Research Libraries (CRL) values community engagement and participation in the development of its collections and guidance of its programs and services. Through its committees and advisory bodies, CRL provides meaningful pathways for members to shape CRL’s direction and strategy in alignment with our mission, vision, and values.

The Collections and Services Policy Committee (CSPC), a key standing body of CRL’s governance structure, seeks to activate a diverse group of member representatives to advise, guide and implement CSPC strategies related to CRL’s international collections, services, programs and partnerships. The International Collections and Content Group will be a standing working group reporting to CSPC and will play a substantive role in shaping, implementing, and maintaining CRL’s approaches to the development and responsible stewardship of international collections.

Among the key responsibilities of the working group are to:

• Advise CSPC on matters of policy and strategic opportunity in areas related to international collection development and management in cooperation with and on behalf of the library and research community.
• Represent perspectives of members’ international and area studies constituencies including (but not limited to) CRL’s Global Resources programs in the development, and transformation, and sustainability of CRL programs and initiatives.
• Serve as an advisory group and planning team for efforts implemented by CRL to support collective action among research libraries to collect, steward, and promote diverse source materials to empower research and teaching.

 The full charge of the working group is available here.

CRL invites expressions of interest in serving on the International Collections and Content Group from CRL member representatives and staff of CRL Member Libraries. Representatives on the working group are expected to be well-versed in the development and stewardship of international collections across the research collection lifecycle. Members will serve for a period of three years and are expected to contribute actively to advance the strategic work of the CSPC. CRL is actively committed to foregrounding the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion as key components for serving its members and advancing its global mission.

To self-nominate or recommend another person for participation on the working group, please contact CRL Special Projects Manager Maria Smith by September 11, 2020 with a brief statement of interest and links to professional background and expertise.