The Oberlin Group of Libraries is a nonprofit consortium comprising 88 leading liberal arts colleges and small universities in the United States, dedicated to fostering collaboration among academic libraries to enhance scholarly access, resource sharing, and support for liberal arts education.^[1] The group originated from conferences of liberal arts college presidents held at Oberlin College in 1985 and 1986 on challenges in science education, leading to the first formal meeting of library directors in November 1986, which addressed securing adequate library budgets and other common concerns, spearheaded by then-library director Bill Moffit, marking the establishment of the Oberlin Group—named after the host institution.^{[2] [3]} Early discussions centered on common concerns such as securing adequate library budgets and promoting the role of liberal arts institutions in academic research.^[2] Over the decades, the Oberlin Group has evolved from informal gatherings into a structured organization, incorporating as a nonprofit in 2017 with adopted bylaws to formalize its operations.^[2] Its mission is to provide a confidential forum for member library directors and staff to exchange best practices, tackle administrative challenges, and advocate for innovative library programs within the context of liberal arts education.^[1] Key focus areas include cooperative interlibrary lending, negotiating consortial contracts with vendors for electronic resources, supporting open access initiatives, and addressing scholarly publishing issues.^[1] The group maintains an annual statistical survey of member libraries—available exclusively to participants—and hosts fall meetings for professional development and networking.^{[2] [1]} Governance is handled by a Board of Directors elected from member library directors, which oversees strategic planning, including the adoption of a comprehensive plan in 2020 to guide future priorities.^[1] Membership is selective and invitation-only, targeting institutions committed to the liberal arts model, with recent expansions reflecting growing interest in collaborative library efforts.^[3] In September 2024, the group welcomed five new members—Hendrix College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Hollins University, Muhlenberg College, and the University of Richmond—bringing the total to 88 and underscoring its expanding influence.^[4]

Background

History

The Oberlin Group of Libraries originated from informal meetings of college presidents held at Oberlin College in 1985 and 1986, which evolved into focused discussions on library challenges for liberal arts institutions.^[1] These gatherings, stemming from science education conferences at the college, highlighted shared concerns among library directors, leading to the first dedicated meeting of 60 invited directors in November 1986.^[2] At this inaugural session, the group was formally named the Oberlin Group of Libraries and established as an informal consortium, with an initial emphasis on advocating for increased library funding to support liberal arts colleges.^[2] In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the group expanded its scope beyond funding advocacy to address broader library administration challenges unique to small, selective liberal arts institutions, such as resource allocation and operational efficiencies.^[2] A key milestone came in 1991 with the launch of an annual statistical survey to benchmark member libraries' performance and share data-driven insights.^[2] During the 1990s, the consortium developed and finalized reciprocal interlibrary loan agreements, enabling efficient resource sharing among members and fostering early collaborative contracts for collective purchasing.^[2] These initiatives marked a shift from ad hoc discussions to structured cooperation, supported by an active listserv for ongoing collegial exchange on current issues.^[2] The group's evolution continued through the 2000s with sustained annual meetings that refined its role as a forum for best practices in liberal arts library management.^[2] In 2011, members adopted new organizational principles and formed a Coordinating Committee to guide activities more formally.^[2] This groundwork culminated in a 2016 decision to pursue legal incorporation, with an Incorporation Committee established in November of that year to oversee the process.^[2] On July 31, 2017, the Oberlin Group incorporated as a nonprofit organization in Michigan, obtaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status to formalize its structure, at which point the Coordinating Committee transitioned into a Board of Directors and bylaws were adopted in May 2017.^[5][6][7] Following incorporation, the group conducted a membership survey in 2018 to inform its strategic direction. In 2019–2020, members drafted and adopted a comprehensive Strategic Plan in fall 2020 to guide future priorities.^[2] In October 2025, K. T. Vaughan of Washington and Lee University was initiated as the group's President.^[8]

Mission and Purpose

The Oberlin Group of Libraries serves as a consortium dedicated to fostering collaboration among directors and staff of academic libraries at liberal arts colleges, providing a forum to discuss shared concerns, exchange best practices, and tackle challenges in library administration within the context of liberal arts education.^[2] Its core mission leverages the diversity, commitment to evolution, and collective wisdom of its members to develop effective and sustainable library programs, while advocating for the essential role of libraries in supporting teaching, learning, and research at liberal arts institutions.^[9] This purpose emphasizes advancing open and equitable access to scholarship, including scholarly publishing and related services tailored to the unique missions of smaller, undergraduate-focused institutions.^[9] Central to the group's objectives are values such as enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion; promoting collegiality, mutual respect, and shared governance; and balancing deliberate reflection with efficient action.^[9] These principles guide efforts to support resource sharing, particularly for smaller institutions, through mechanisms like shared collections and interlibrary cooperation, ensuring that liberal arts libraries can meet the demands of innovative pedagogy and research without duplicating efforts.^[2] By prioritizing inclusivity and collaboration, the Oberlin Group aims to create a supportive network that amplifies the impact of its members in higher education.^[9] The group's focus has evolved from its origins in the 1980s, when it primarily advocated for funding from foundations and government sources to bolster library resources, to a broader emphasis on interlibrary cooperation and innovation in academic librarianship.^[2] This progression reflects a shift toward addressing contemporary issues, such as digital access and professional development, while maintaining its foundational commitment to mutual encouragement among liberal arts library leaders.^[2]

Organization and Governance

Governance Structure

The Oberlin Group of Libraries is governed by a Board of Directors, composed of library directors elected from its member institutions, which holds ultimate authority over policy development, fiscal oversight, and organizational activities.^[5][7] The board consists of five officers and three to twelve directors at large.^[5][7] For the 2024-2025 term, the officers are: President K. T. Vaughan of Washington and Lee University (2024-27), who leads board meetings and appoints committee chairs; Vice President/President-Elect Elizabeth Leonard of Drew University (2025-28), who succeeds the president and chairs the Program Committee; Immediate Past President Caroline Mills of Furman University (2023-26), who chairs the Nominating Committee; Secretary Dustin Fife of Colorado College (2022-26), responsible for records and minutes; and Treasurer Craig Milberg of Willamette University (2025-27), who manages finances and dues collection.^[5][7] The directors at large are Laura Robinson of Clark University (2022-26), Sarah Pickle of Occidental College (2024-26), Martin Garnar of Amherst College (2025-27), and Mark Christel of Grinnell College (2025-27).^[5] Board members are elected by a majority vote of member representatives at the annual meeting, following a process managed by the Nominating Committee, which is chaired by the Immediate Past President and presents a slate of candidates at least 60 days in advance, with provisions for additional nominations.^[7] Terms are staggered across election cycles to ensure continuity, with each member representative holding one vote and no proxies permitted; the board resolves ties if needed.^[7] As a nonprofit organization, the Oberlin Group was incorporated in Michigan on July 31, 2017, and operates under 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, focused exclusively on charitable, educational, and scientific purposes without distributing profits to directors, officers, or members.^[5][7] Board decisions require a majority vote of attending directors, and major actions like bylaws amendments or dissolution need a two-thirds membership vote.^[7]

Membership

The Oberlin Group consists of 88 member institutions, all of which are leading liberal arts colleges and small universities in the United States, representing a growth from 80 members in 2021.^[1] Membership is by invitation only, primarily extended to private liberal arts colleges with robust library programs that demonstrate a commitment to collaborative efforts in advancing library services and scholarship.^[3] Prominent examples of members include Amherst College, Oberlin College, Williams College, Agnes Scott College, and Albion College, which exemplify the consortium's focus on high-caliber academic libraries.^[10] In 2024, the group welcomed five new members: Hendrix College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Hollins University, Muhlenberg College, and University of Richmond, further expanding its network of collaborative institutions.^[4] Geographically, members are distributed across multiple states nationwide, with a notable concentration in the Northeast and Midwest regions, as illustrated in the official member map.^[1] Membership provides benefits such as access to shared resources, including cooperative interlibrary lending, and statistical data like salary surveys, enabling directors to benchmark and enhance their operations without delving into specific programmatic details.^[1][3]

Activities and Programs

Collaborative Initiatives

The Oberlin Group facilitates interlibrary loans through reciprocal agreements among its member libraries, a core service established in the 1990s to enable efficient resource sharing across institutions.^[2] These agreements allow members to lend and borrow materials seamlessly, supporting scholarly access without duplicating collections at individual liberal arts colleges.^[2] In addition to lending, the Group negotiates consortia contracts for shared purchasing of library resources, including electronic journals, reference services, and ebooks.^[2] These optional agreements enable subgroups of members to pool resources for cost-effective access to scholarly materials, reducing financial burdens while expanding availability of digital content.^[2] For ebooks specifically, the Group advocates for licensing terms that permit interlibrary sharing, perpetual access, and compliance with accessibility standards, opposing restrictive contracts that limit equitable dissemination.^[11] The Oberlin Group supports open access initiatives through endorsements and joint statements, particularly during crises. In June 2020, it partnered with the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) to urge vendors to maintain free access to e-resources and hold subscription prices steady amid the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing remote learning needs and financial strains on libraries.^[12] These partnerships extend to broader vendor negotiations, promoting equitable access and sustainable models for scholarly communication.^[12][13] To inform best practices, the Group conducts an annual member-only statistical data collection on library operations, initiated in 1991 and shared exclusively among participants to benchmark performance and guide decision-making.^[1][2] This confidential survey covers metrics such as collections, staffing, and usage, fostering operational improvements without public disclosure.^[1]

Events and Meetings

The Oberlin Group organizes annual fall meetings of library directors as its primary forum for fostering dialogue and networking among member institutions. These gatherings, hosted by one or more member libraries, typically span two to three days and include a mix of formal presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and informal networking opportunities centered on pressing issues in academic librarianship, such as resource sharing and technological integration.^[14][1] The 2025 annual meeting, held from September 28 to 30 and hosted by Union College and Skidmore College, adopted the theme "Thriving in Uncertain Times." Sessions took place at Schaffer Library on the Union College campus, the Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College, and College Park Hall, providing spaces for directors to address evolving challenges in library operations and higher education.^[14][8][15] Earlier meetings have similarly emphasized collaborative problem-solving; the 2024 event, hosted by Kenyon College and Denison University from October 6 to 8 in Granville and Gambier, Ohio, featured sessions on contemporary library leadership and innovation. The 2023 meeting, hosted by The Claremont Colleges Library from October 22 to 24, focused on the theme "Stronger Together: The Power of Consortial Collaboration," with programming designed to explore joint strategies for enhancing library services.^[14][16][17] These annual meetings serve as catalysts for deeper engagements, often initiating discussions that result in new collaborative projects or formal policy endorsements by the group.^[1][18] To promote respectful and inclusive participation, the Oberlin Group maintains a Code of Conduct applicable to all meetings and events, which prohibits harassment, intimidation, or discrimination based on characteristics such as race, gender, or disability, while encouraging open dialogue in a supportive environment.^[19][20]

Strategic Directions

The Oberlin Group's strategic directions were formalized through a draft plan developed in 2019 and approved in May 2020, envisioning "a vibrant, inclusive, trusted community of library leaders advancing the critical role of academic libraries in transformative liberal arts education."^[18] This vision emphasizes fostering collegiality, mutual respect, and shared leadership to address evolving challenges in higher education, with a mission to provide a forum for discussing common concerns, sharing best practices, and adapting to administrative and educational shifts in liberal arts contexts.^[21] The plan outlines three core strategic priorities implemented via dedicated working groups: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI); Strengthen Our Community; and Open and Equitable Access to Information. These groups guide action-oriented efforts to enhance inclusivity, build internal connections, and promote accessible scholarship, respectively.^[22] The DEI Working Group supports member libraries in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion goals through resources, webinars, and collaborative projects, such as an audit pilot for assessing institutional practices.^[6] It aligns with the group's foundational commitment to anti-racist work and intentional practices that challenge systemic inequities, as affirmed in statements condemning racism and endorsing equitable library environments.^[23] The Strengthen Our Community Working Group focuses on sustaining member connections through initiatives like peer mentorship programs and enhanced annual meeting structures to bolster the consortium's egalitarian ethos.^[21] Meanwhile, the Open and Equitable Access to Information Working Group, co-chaired by Martin Garnar of Amherst College and Jill Livingston of Wesleyan University, promotes open access, open educational resources, and equitable strategies, including contributions to national projects and institution-specific discussions on openness.^[24] This group underscores the consortium's role in addressing scholarly publishing barriers by advocating for global accessibility of data and resources. In line with these priorities, the Oberlin Group took concrete steps in 2025 by joining the Open Education Network, granting up to nine delegates access to its community hub and tools for reviewing open textbooks, thereby advancing equitable access to educational materials across member institutions.^[25] The group has also issued key endorsements, including an anti-discrimination policy that prohibits harassment and promotes inclusive participation in all activities, and a statement affirming libraries' rights to purchase ebooks essential for curricula while opposing restrictive vendor practices.^[11] These actions reflect broader alignments with goals like mitigating scholarly publishing costs and ensuring library sustainability, particularly through advocacy for open models that reduce financial burdens on liberal arts institutions.^[21]