RCL Call for Reviewers: 2025

Posted on April 15, 2025 in News, Blog

Gain subject expertise and grow your collection assessment skills

Resources for College Libraries (RCL), the Choice/ACRL bibliography of essential titles for undergraduate teaching and research, seeks experienced library subject selectors and academic faculty to serve as peer reviewers. We are currently seeking referees for the RCL Social Science and Science and Technology subjects, including:

Agriculture • Anthropology • Astronomy • Biology • Business Administration • Chemistry • Communication and Mass Media • Computer Science • Economics • Education • Environmental Sciences • General Science • Geography • Geology and Geosciences • Health Sciences and Medicine • Law • Linguistics • Mathematics • Physics • Political Science • Psychology • Sociology • Sports and Recreation • Technology and Engineering

Reviewers are tasked with assessing the subject collection comprehensively, providing feedback and recommendations for editorial improvement. Peer reviewers evaluate how well the core title list supports the college curriculum, including collection assessment considerations centered on diverse publications, emerging scholarship, and historically underrepresented voices or perspectives.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit a CV, along with a brief description of subject liaison and/or collection development experience in the discipline, to the RCL Project Editor, Anne Doherty, at adoherty@ala.org. Preference will be given to those who apply by May 15, 2025. We are committed to pursuing equity and inclusion and seek reviewers with diverse racial, ethnic, gender, sexual, and disability experiences.

FAQs

What is the time commitment? The time commitment may vary based on the size of the subject collection and the reviewer’s knowledge and expertise. Reviewers work independently and most spend 10-18 hours, in total, on the review.

What are the deliverables and deadlines? Reviewers typically produce a 1-2 pp memo with general recommendations, together with notes on particular titles to add, deselect, or update. Referee work is scheduled for completion by August 15th.

What materials will I receive? Selected referees will receive guidelines, a current title list, the subject taxonomy and scope note, access to sample referee reports, and temporary access to the RCL database to support review work.

Do I need to be an ALA and/or ACRL member to participate? RCL reviewers do not need to be active members of the American Library Association (ALA) and/or the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL).

What are the benefits of participating? Evaluating the RCL core title lists can strengthen collection assessment skills, inform local projects, and build subject expertise. 98% of RCL referees would recommend RCL peer review work to a colleague and past participants have noted that the review is “thoroughly rewarding,” “very educational,” and “invaluable from a professional development perspective.” Reviewers are recognized for their service to the library profession and contribution to a Choice/ACRL publications.

If you have additional questions, contact the RCL Project Editor. To learn more about Resources for College Libraries, a co-publication of Choice/ACRL and ProQuest-Clarivate, visit: choice360.org/products/resources-for-college-libraries/.

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