The Oberlin Group is a consortium representing 80 libraries of selective liberal arts colleges. The primary purposes of the consortium are to discuss library issues of common concern, share information on best practices in library operations and services, license electronic resources of interest to member institutions, cooperate in resource sharing, and establish communities of practice.

A Brief History of The Oberlin Group

By Ray English and Will Bridegam

The idea for the Oberlin Group grew out of conferences of the presidents of 50 liberal arts colleges held at Oberlin in 1984 and 1985 to discuss the role of private colleges in educating the nation's scientists. The colleges represented had produced an exceptional number of graduates who later earned doctorates in scientific fields. One of the purposes of these conferences was to draw national attention to the importance of liberal arts colleges for scientific education and, in so doing, to garner more foundation and government support.

Finding an Oberlin Group Institution

The Oberlin Group member institutions can be found on a Google Map created by Neil Nero (Science Librarian for Research & Instruction at Wellesley College). 

Open letter on the FRPAA

An open letter from liberal arts college presidents supporting the Federal Research Public Access Act.

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