Advocacy & Issues

ACRL Legislative Agenda 2023

Objectives for legislative action at the national level on issues that affect the welfare of libraries.

Read our Legislative Agenda

Through its strategic vision outlined in the Association's Plan for Excellence, ACRL leads academic and research librarians and libraries in advancing learning and transforming scholarship. The strengths and capacities of ACRL have enabled the association to sustain exemplary programs and results for its members and to shape policies and practices of vital interest to higher education. Learn more about ACRL's advocacy initiatives and involvement in issues related to libraries and library workers in higher education.


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Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

ACRL is dedicated to creating diverse and inclusive communities in the Association and in academic and research libraries. This core commitment permeates the work of the Association, cutting across all ACRL sections, committees, interest and discussion groups, and communities of practice. The Association will acknowledge and address historical racial inequities; challenge oppressive systems within academic libraries; value different ways of knowing; and identify and work to eliminate barriers to equitable services, spaces, resources, and scholarship.

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Scholarly Communication

Academic and research librarians increasingly recognize scholarly communication as a core competency of the profession. Whether helping researchers meet their funder's mandates for public access and data sharing, guiding responsible copyright practice, or supporting new types of scholarship and instruction, librarians are leading change across campus and around the world. ACRL is committed to supporting academic and research libraries accelerate the transition to more open and equitable systems of scholarship through advocacy, education, and resource sharing.

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Student Learning and Information Literacy

ACRL strives to advance equitable and inclusive pedagogical practices and environments for libraries to support student learning. To achieve this, the Association actively works to empower libraries to build sustainable, equitable, inclusive, and responsive information literacy programs, and to collaborate with internal and external partners to expand understanding of the impact of information literacy on student learning.

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Value of Academic Libraries

Change across all facets of society—including demographic, technological, and economic change—has the potential to greatly impact higher education and the academic library. ACRL's Value of Academic Libraries initiative seeks to support academic libraries in demonstrating alignment with and impact on institutional outcomes through clear and measurable ways, and to promote that impact to the larger higher education community.

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New Roles and Changing Landscapes

Through our newest goal, New Roles and Changing Landscapes, ACRL seeks to deepen the Association's advocacy and support for the full range of the academic library workforce; equip the academic library workforce to effectively lead, manage, and embrace change, advocate for their communities, and serve as a catalyst for transformational change in higher education; and increase diversity, cultivate equity, and nurture inclusion in the academic library workforce.

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ACRL Speaks Out

To increase ACRL's visibility and influence in the arena of higher education policy development, legislation, and best practices, ACRL speaks out on important issues. Check out some examples of ACRL's participation in activities geared towards creating change.

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Legislation and Policy

Resources on legislation and policy at the national level affecting academic and research libraries. Find out how to become an ACRL Legislative Advocate and more about the work of ACRL's Government Relations Committee.

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White Papers and Reports

ACRL and ALA units occasionally produce white papers, position statements, and reports, which are freely available online.

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Marketing the Academic Library

Information on the Campaign for America's Libraries' Academic and Research Library Campaign, examples of ACRL's work to promote academic and research libraries, and ideas and resources to help you develop your own promotional materials.

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Liaison Activities

ACRL's Liaisons Coordinating Committee carries out a program of in-depth liaison activities with targeted professional associations. ACRL's liaison activity brings to the attention of non-library associations how library resources and services can contribute to their mission and goals and brings information and higher education issues of other associations to the attention of the ACRL Board and membership.