Yale University has officially become the newest member of the Research Collections and Preservation Consortium (ReCAP), effective July 1. The consortium, which includes
Columbia University, Harvard University, The New York Public Library, and Princeton University, announced Yale’s addition earlier this month.
Barbara Rockenbach, Yale’s Stephen F. Gates ’68 University Librarian, highlighted the significance of this partnership:
"Joining ReCAP reflects Yale University Library’s dedication to preserving and expanding access to the scholarly record. By participating in this shared collection, we amplify the reach of our holdings and contribute to a robust network of print resources for researchers worldwide."
As part of the consortium, Yale adds 2.7 million unique titles to ReCAP's shared collection and, in turn, gains access to 8.8 million unique titles held by other members.
Ann Thornton, Chair of the ReCAP Board of Governors and Vice Provost and University Librarian at Columbia University, welcomed the news:
"Yale’s inclusion is a major milestone. Over the past 25 years, our collaborative model has proven that shared stewardship of resources leads to expanded access and more sustainable practices across academic institutions."
Harvard University became a member of ReCAP in 2019, joining with a vision for collaborative collection-building and preservation.
"Being part of ReCAP strengthens our mission of broadening access to knowledge while ensuring long-term stewardship of scholarly materials," said Martha Whitehead, Harvard’s University Librarian and Vice President for Harvard Library.
Since its founding, ReCAP’s shared storage facility on Princeton’s Forrestal Campus has grown to house over 18 million items. The consortium fulfills around 300,000 requests annually from libraries and researchers worldwide.
Brent Reidy, Andrew W. Mellon Director of the Research Libraries at The New York Public Library, emphasized the growing impact of this collaboration:
"Yale’s membership marks a pivotal expansion of our collective efforts. Working together with peer institutions ensures these invaluable collections remain accessible for generations to come."
Formally incorporated as a nonprofit in 2000 and supported by funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, ReCAP launched its Shared Collection Service in 2017. This platform allows users from member institutions to request materials directly through their local catalogs, with items typically delivered within two business days. Since its launch, usage of shared holdings has increased by over 30 percent.
Anne Jarvis, Dean of Libraries and Robert H. Taylor 1930 University Librarian at Princeton University, reflected on the significance of partnerships like ReCAP:
"In today’s landscape, collaboration among mission-aligned libraries is vital. ReCAP is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we join forces."
With Yale’s entry, ReCAP continues to strengthen its position as a leading model for sustainable, cooperative stewardship and access to library and archival collections. Photo by Nick Allen, Wikimedia commons.
