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In November 2023, the membership of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries voted overwhelmingly to modify the criteria for membership in the Association. This is the first substantial change in ASERL’s membership criteria in more than two decades, and reflects ASERL’s ongoing process of self-assessment and desire to become a more equitable and inclusive membership organization.
The new criteria, which took effect as of January 1, 2024, primarily change the quantitative metrics required for ASERL membership. Previously, ASERL members were required to meet a total library expenditure (TLE) threshold that was based on library expenditures across the full membership. The previous TLE threshold was calculated yearly – and changed yearly – and reflected longstanding funding patterns that enabled some libraries to remain in ASERL and limited other libraries from joining the Association. The revised criteria focus on the research mission of the parent institution rather than simply on library expenditures. The revised criteria require the following:
- ASERL member institutions must maintain an R1 or R2 status as defined by the Carnegie Classification service operated by the American Council on Education
- ASERL member institutions must expend a minimum of $40M per year on research initiatives, as defined by the annual HERD survey as compiled by the National Science Foundation. This is the threshold established by the Center for Measuring University Performance, hosted by the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and the University of Florida.
- Further, ASERL members libraries are expected to provide sufficient funding to enable their ongoing, active participation in ASERL’s programming, and
- They must also possess unique and extraordinary services and collections as part of a research institution that bring important strategic benefits to other ASERL members.
Membership Options for Research Libraries Outside the Southeast