In Shocker, Stanford University Leaves ARL

-- Library Journal, 1/27/2004

For many university libraries, getting into the Association of Research Libraries (ARL)-which includes 123 leading research libraries in North America--is a major goal. For Stanford University, however, the opposite appears to be true. ARL Executive Director Duane Webster confirmed that Stanford has left the ARL. Webster told LJ that Stanford Librarian Michael Keller had informed the ARL that Stanford would not renew its membership. Webster said that he has personally not spoken with Keller about the decision and could not speculate on what Stanford's motives were for leaving: "Michael Keller is well-known as an imaginative, innovative leader. It's regrettable. We hope they can re-join at some point." While the news itself may come as a shock, Webster pointed out that Stanford had not been active in ARL for several years.