Illinois academic libraries have acted consortially for over 40 years. Since CARLI began operations, this collaboration has grown increasingly effective and coordinated, establishing CARLI as one of the premiere library consortia in the United States. Our 130 member libraries–individually and collectively–are committed to meeting the information and research needs of their 800,000 students, thousands of faculty and staff.
The Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI), began operating on July 1, 2005. CARLI was formed by consolidating three existing Illinois academic library consortia, which improved the efficiency and cost effectiveness of services, increased the effectiveness of consortial and member library staff efforts, and created opportunities to pursue new programs and services that the three constituent consortia would not have been able to provide on their own.
The library consortia were:
CARLI products, services, and programs complement and expand upon those of the legacy consortia to include the I-Share integrated library system; E-resources licensing and subsidized core resources;SFX link resolver;digital collections; statewide collections programs; training and continuing education; statewide physical delivery; network, system, and database administration; and help desk/online problem reporting and resolution.
CARLI operates under the direction of the CARLI Bylaws, originally adopted in May, 2005. As stipulated in the bylaws, the CARLI Board of Directors oversees the affairs of CARLI except those reserved for the entire membership. The Board sets strategic direction; oversees all CARLI committees; reviews and approves the detail and the total of the organizational budget each year; advises and gives recommendations on the hiring and evaluation of the Senior Director; and provides advice and input to the University of Illinois in matters relating to the Consortium. The Board of Directors meets regularly throughout the year.
The Board of Directors consists of twelve voting members. Nine voting members are elected to three-year terms by the Governing Member institutions, with three members each representing the public university, community college, and private institution sectors, respectively. Three voting members are appointed annually by the elected members of the Board of Directors, with one member serving each of the three membership sectors. There are two ex officio non-voting members: the CARLI Executive Director, and a representative appointed by the Illinois State Library. A nominating committee appointed by the Board of Directors solicits nominations for positions each year.
In addition to the Board of Directors, there are several types of committees, etc., that assist in carrying out CARLI programmatic activities.
View the full list of current CARLI committees and click on any committee name to view its roster, charge, and links to its minutes or other reports.
The University of Illinois System serves as CARLI’s fiscal and contractual agent under a Host Institution Agreement between the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois System and CARLI. CARLI operates as a unit of the University of Illinois System Office for Academic Affairs.