About ASERL

Bringing Research Libraries in the Region Together for 65+ Years

ASERL is a leader in research library cooperation, providing important programs and services to support our member libraries, to the scholarly process, and to the library profession. Founded in 1956, ASERL has a long, proud — and sometimes very colorful — history. ASERL is based at Emory University Libraries in Atlanta, but our staff is remote — and we travel frequently — so you never know where you might run into one of us!

We always welcome ideas for new programming and constructive critique of our work — please feel free to contact us if we can be of assistance.

ASERL’s Mission Statement

ASERL advances southeastern research libraries by enabling collaboration, sharing knowledge, fostering innovation, and building community.

ASERL’s Vision Statement

Forging alliances and supporting advances that keep libraries at the center of the educational and research mission of our universities.

ASERL’s Values Statement

We collaborate and foster collegiality and best practices among the research libraries of the southeast
We exceed expectations by building upon traditional strengths and responding to rapidly changing research technologies
We provide leadership for developing staff and programs to keep libraries at the core of teaching, technology, and research activities at our universities
We work collectively toward creating a more equitable and inclusive environment

Meet the ASERL Staff & Board

Meet our staff and learn about their passions.

Get to Know Our Members

Learn more about our 38 Members across 11 states

ASERL HISTORY

Oral histories commemorating ASERL's past

ASERL Governance & Policy

Bylaws, Membership Criteria, Policies and more

Mailing Lists / List Servs

Check out our public mailing lists

Library Management Platforms

Library Technology Guides maintains a list of Library Management Platforms used by ASERL Libraries

GET TO KNOW OUR STAFF

The ASERL office is based at Emory University in Atlanta. Each ASERL staff person has years of diverse expertise working in different types of libraries — and other organizations — bringing a wealth of talent and skills to the benefit of our member libraries.

John Burger, Executive Director
jburger@aserl.org

Cheryle Cole-Bennett, Shared Print Program Coordinator
ccole-bennett@aserl.org

Elaina Norlin, Professional Development / DEI Program Coordinator
enorlin@aserl.org

ASERL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Position Descriptions for ASERL Board Members
MOU for Board Service

President
Christopher Cox
Dean of Libraries
Clemson University
cnc2@clemson.edu

President-Elect
Gale Etschmaier
Dean of Libraries
Florida State University
getschmaier@fsu.edu

Past President
Timothy Pyatt
Dean, Z. Smith Reynolds Library
Wake Forest University
tpyatt@wfu.edu

Secretary-Treasurer
Doug Way
Dean of Libraries
University of Kentucky
doug.way@uky.edu

Member At-Large
Kasia Gonnerman
Dean of the UAB Libraries
University of Alabama at Birmingham
gonnerma@uab.edu

Member At-Large
Leslie Sharp
Dean of Libraries
Georgia Tech
leslie.sharp@gatech.edu

Member At-Large
John Unsworth
University Librarian & Dean of Libraries
University of Virginia
unsworth@virginia.edu

ASERL's Annual Reports

Download Latest Report

ASERL has published Annual Reports starting in 2014 to inform our community of our impact, achievements, and goals. These reports provide a quick snapshot of the programs, services, and other benefits provided to ASERL member institutions and to the profession at large.

Explore Our Reports