Cultivating the
the next generation.
The Council on Library and Information Resources stands at the intersection of history and technology, ensuring that humanity's intellectual heritage remains accessible, preserved, and resonant for generations to come.
Mission & Vision
CLIR is an independent, nonprofit organization that forges strategies to enhance research, teaching, and learning environments in collaboration with libraries, cultural institutions, and communities of higher learning.
"Our vision is a world where the records of human endeavor are preserved and accessible, providing the foundation for an informed and just society."
History of Impact
The Foundation
Founded as the Council on Library Resources (CLR) with support from the Ford Foundation, our initial mandate was to address the challenges of the burgeoning information age following World War II.
The Convergence
CLR merged with the Commission on Preservation and Access (CPA) to form the Council on Library and Information Resources, unifying preservation with digital innovation.
Pioneering Digital Preservation
From the creation of the Digital Library Federation to our leading work in Hidden Collections, CLIR has consistently set the standard for digital stewardship.
Institutional Pillars
Information Coherence
Developing logical structures and standard practices for information organization that transcend disciplinary boundaries and technological shifts.
Intellectual Capital
Investing in the individuals and communities who manage, curate, and utilize the world's scholarly and cultural record.
Universal Stewardship
Advocating for the long-term preservation and open accessibility of diverse cultural heritage materials for the benefit of global research.
Support the Mission.
Our work is sustained by a community of scholars, librarians, and archivists committed to the preservation of truth and knowledge.