Call for Reviewers–RCL Arts and Humanities Subjects

Posted on April 7, 2026 in News, Blog

Grow your collection assessment skills this summer

Resources for College Libraries (RCL), the Choice/ACRL core title list for undergraduate teaching and research, seeks experienced library selectors and academic faculty to serve as peer reviewers. We are currently seeking referees for the RCL Arts and Humanities subjects, including:

American Literature • British Literature • Classical Languages and Literatures •  Dance •  Drama and Theater •  French Language and Literature •  General Language and Literature •  Germanic Languages and Literatures •  Global Anglophone Literatures • Italian Language and Literature • Music • Philosophy • Religion • Russian and Eastern European Languages and Literatures • Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Literatures • Visual Arts

Reviewers are tasked with evaluating the subject collection comprehensively, providing feedback and recommendations for editorial improvement. Peer reviewers assess how well the subject bibliography supports the college curriculum and academic libraries, including considerations centered on diverse publishers, 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, assessment, and/or collection development experience in the discipline(s) to the RCL Project Editor. Preference will be given to those who apply by May 15, 2026.

FAQs

What are the deliverables and deadlines? Reviewers typically produce a 1-2 page 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 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 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 a rubric, and temporary access to the RCL database to support review work.

What are the benefits of participating? The RCL peer review is a one-time professional service opportunity that strengthens collection assessment skills, builds subject expertise, and supports local projects. 98% of RCL referees would recommend RCL peer review work to a colleague. 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 and contribution to a Choice/ACRL publication. 

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).

 If you have additional questions, please contact the RCL Project Editor. Learn more about Resources for College Libraries, a co-publication of Choice/ACRL and ProQuest-Clarivate. 

Related Posts