Benefits and Discounts

ACRL is the leading resource for the academic and research library community. Our members have access to a wide array of benefits that increase their knowledge and expertise while building a network of peers necessary to support a successful career in the field. Learn more about all your ACRL membership has to offer.

ACRL keeps you up-to-date on trends and developments in the field by delivering the highest quality products and services to help you sharpen your skills and discover new approaches to your work.

As part of your membership you'll also receive the bi-weekly ACRL Update email newsletter, featuring up-to-date information on association activities, and Keeping Up With..., our online current awareness publication. Your membership also directly supports our open access publishing program along with our free online survey and outcomes measurement toolkit Project Outcome for Academic Libraries.

“Thank you ACRL for connecting librarians to information, research, advocacy, news, and all of the good stuff that arrives in our feeds and inboxes.” ~ Amy J. Barlow, ACRL member since 2008

ACRL members are part of a  welcoming, supportive community that nurtures individual development and fosters a deeper connection to the profession. It is this network that sets ACRL members apart and creates a support system for a career and a lifetime. Members have an opportunity to grow their network of like-minded professionals by becoming involved in  ACRL sections, interest groups, and discussion groups.

ACRL communities provide specialized newsletters and discussion lists, along with sponsoring programming at the ALA Annual Conference. Our members gain crucial leadership experience, make valuable connections, and build ties with colleagues around the world.

ACRL and its members help academic and research libraries pursue a broad agenda, ensuring that their roles are understood, valued, and protected across academia. ACRL enables the higher education community to better understand the role that academic and research libraries play in the teaching, learning, and research environments. Your membership enables ACRL to advocate for our shared values in a variety of ways.

Issues and Advocacy:
ACRL focuses program and advocacy efforts on four major areas that capitalize on our strengths, deliver high member value, and heighten our collective impact - the Value of Academic Libraries, Student Learning, Research and Scholarly Environment, and New Roles and Changing Landscapes - along with our core commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

Standards, Guidelines, and Frameworks:
ACRL is the source that the higher education community looks to for standards, guidelines, and frameworks on academic libraries. Our members develop  a variety of standards, guidelines, and frameworks to help libraries, academic institutions, and accrediting agencies understand the components of an excellent library.

Toolkits, White Papers, and Reports:
Your membership supports the development of a variety of toolkits along with white papers and research reports to support the work of the profession. These resources focus on topics such as the Value of Academic Libraries, Scholarly Communication, Information Literacy, and using our Standards, Guidelines, and Frameworks.

“I value ACRL’s national and international leadership in promoting the value of academic and research libraries. I appreciate the fact that ACRL is helping us think strategically about the future." ~ Clem Guthro, ACRL member since 2000