Members
There are separate requirements for academic and research institutions due to the different ways those types of institutions are organized. In order to become a member, an institution must meet all of the requirements from either section below.
Academic Institutions
The library of any non-profit institution is eligible for advisory membership with SCELC providing it meets all of the following criteria:
is a post-secondary academic or research library;
is regionally accredited, or a candidate for accreditation, if an academic library;
has services provided by a professional librarian; and
has a designated set of IP range(s) or other acceptable method of authentication.
Institutions with multiple campuses will be admitted on a single SCELC advisory membership provided the institution has a single administrative contact for billing, communication about consortium business, and other purposes.
Excluded from advisory membership are libraries of state-funded institutions and for-profit institutions.
Research Institutions
The institution is primarily identified as a research institution, rather than academic. In most cases this means the institution does not award degrees.
The institution has an organized library and services provided by a professional librarian.
The institution is a documented non-profit organization, with the exclusion of lobbying agencies.
The parent institution or the library is a member of or accredited by an appropriate organization, such as:
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
American Association of Museums—accredited members only
Association of Independent Research Institutes
Association of Zoos & Aquariums
Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)
Independent Research Libraries Association
Other similar organizations as determined by the SCELC Executive Committee
If an institution does not meet the part D criterion, it may apply under one of the general areas below and must provide a description of eligibility to support membership.
The institution/library provides access to primary or research resources and hosts post-secondary scholars for use of the materials.
The institution/library provides access to materials, displays and exhibits for public education and instruction.
The institution/library is an independent, non-profit research organization conducting research and development for government agencies, commercial businesses, foundations or other organizations.
The institution/library disseminates research results to the scholarly community at large through journal or monograph publications.
Affiliates
If an institution does not meet all the requirements in one of the above sections and is not a 501(c)(4), but is an organization with a research or educational mission, the institution is eligible for affiliate status .
