CERL’s aim
CERL brings research libraries together to strengthen access to Europe’s printed heritage. By pooling resources and expertise, we support research, digitisation, and the long-term sustainability of bibliographic collections.
Connecting libraries, scholars, and data, CERL fosters collaboration and innovation across Europe and beyond. Our initiatives include digital tools, seminars, workshops, and focused publications, all guided by our strategic plans and the expertise of our members.
CERL provides a trusted and supportive community for library and information professionals, enabling the sharing of best practices, the development of strategies, and confidential discussion of sensitive issues such as cultural property, equity, and diversity.
Supporting access and discovery
CERL plays a vital role in helping libraries and cultural institutions share, connect, and enrich Europe’s bibliographic heritage. Through its established network, CERL connects curators, cataloguers, scholars, and digital specialists to foster best practices, professional development, and innovation.
CERL supports libraries through:
- Shared cataloguing tools – including the CERL Thesaurus, which strengthens authority control and harmonises metadata.
- Union catalogues – such as the Heritage of the Printed Book Database, aggregating records from across Europe.
- Digital access infrastructure – providing interoperable services through frameworks like IIIF and the AMPLE environment, enabling libraries to host, connect, and display data effectively.
- Linked open data initiatives – integrating CERL datasets such as ESTC, ISTC, and STCN, and preparing SPARQL endpoints to enhance research accessibility and connectivity.
- Workshops and training – covering metadata standards, digital scholarship, and bibliographic research.
- Curated research datasets – providing reliable, high-quality data for bibliographers and book historians.
- Professional networking opportunities – encouraging cross-border collaboration through working groups, annual meetings, and other initiatives.
Together, these services empower institutions to connect, promote, and make their collections more visible. By combining CERL’s professional network with its digital data resources, member libraries can develop innovative services, enhance access to collections, and engage researchers worldwide.
CERL’s development plan
CERL’s Strategic Plan 2024–2027 sets out the consortium’s priorities and guiding values for the coming years. It focuses on three core pillars:
- CERL as a professional network – strengthening collaboration among institutions and professionals in the bibliographic and heritage sectors, supporting knowledge exchange, working groups, and events.
- CERL as a network of data – ensuring high-quality, accessible, and interoperable bibliographic data through key resources such as the Heritage of the Printed Book Database, CERL Thesaurus, AMPLE, and linked open data initiatives.
- CERL as a membership organisation – offering tailored services and responsive support to members worldwide, fostering professional development, training, and engagement.
The Strategic Plan describes key actions and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure progress across these pillars. It provides a framework for CERL’s activities, including:
- Expanding professional networking opportunities and events.
- Developing and maintaining digital tools and databases.
- Ensuring transparent and sustainable governance and finances.
- Supporting working groups and fostering early-career participation.
- Engaging with international initiatives and partners in digital humanities and cultural heritage.
The plan was formally approved by CERL’s Board and ratified by members at the 2024 Rome meeting. It provides a roadmap for the organisation’s future, guiding its development, services, and collaborative efforts across Europe and beyond.