At its Fall 2020 Association Meeting held virtually September 29–October 7, the membership of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) voted to invite Texas State University (TXST) Libraries to join as the 125th member, effective January 1, 2021. Joan L. Heath, associate vice president and university librarian, accepted the invitation.
“The invitation to join this prestigious body of libraries is an honor and an affirmation of the significant contributions of Texas State University Libraries to the broader research community. We are pleased to join this distinguished group and look forward to the partnerships, access, voice, and professional development opportunities this membership will afford our library staff and our university,” said Heath.
The vote to approve TXST’s membership followed a review of the University Libraries that considered both qualitative and quantitative data and a site visit. The review process included an examination of the breadth and depth of collections, uniqueness of research resources, services to the library’s community, potential contributions to scholarship, and leadership in the library and information science profession. The review committee noted in particular the libraries’ “firm commitment to diversity and inclusion, and dedication to providing high-quality, user-centered services.”
“I’m pleased to welcome the Texas State University Libraries to ARL. As TXST builds its research and development portfolio, it has strategically invested in library resources and staff. This clearly demonstrates the critical role libraries play as a full partner in today’s research and learning enterprises,” said John Culshaw, ARL president and Jack B. King University Librarian for The University of Iowa. “I look forward to the participation of TXST library staff in ARL activities especially as we embark on the implementation of our 2021–2022 Action Plan.”
About the Association of Research Libraries
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 124 research libraries in Canada and the US whose mission is to advance research, learning, and scholarly communication. The Association fosters the open exchange of ideas and expertise; advances diversity, equity, and inclusion; and pursues advocacy and public policy efforts that reflect the values of the library, scholarly, and higher education communities. ARL forges partnerships and catalyzes the collective efforts of research libraries to enable knowledge creation and to achieve enduring and barrier-free access to information. ARL is on the web at ARL.org.
About Texas State University Libraries
University Libraries provide key services and resources that fuel the success of research and innovation at Texas State University. The libraries comprise three facilities and two prestigious collections that are continually evolving to meet the needs of the growing university and an ever-changing, technology-driven world.
