Association of Research Libraries.

Association formed in 1932 for the purpose of improving the collections and services of its member libraries in support of higher education and research. Consists of large university libraries; research libraries in the United States and Canada, including the three national libraries of the United States: the Library of Congress, the National Agricultural Library, and the National Library of Medicine; and public and special libraries with large research collections.

From the description of Association of Research Libraries records, 1932-1979. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71132262

Organizational History

The Association of Research Libraries was formed in 1932 for the purpose of improving the collections and services of its member libraries in support of higher education and research. Its membership consists of larger university libraries; research libraries in the United States and Canada, including the three national libraries of the United States: the Library of Congress, the National Agricultural Library, and the National Library of Medicine; and public and special libraries with large research collections.

The association undertakes a variety of activities, including serving as a representative for its members in matters relating to the federal government, international agencies, and other library associations, as well as engaging in cooperative projects and studies with other academic and research organizations. Among the more important projects sponsored or supported by the association are the Farmington Plan, the Public Law 480 program, the National Program for Acquisitions and Cataloging, the Foreign Newspaper Microfilm Project, the annual publication of Dissertation Abstracts, and the establishment of the Center for Chinese Research Materials and the Slavic Bibliographic and Documentation Center.

From the guide to the Association of Research Libraries Records, 1932-1979, (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)