The Council of University Librarians (CoUL) is a self-organized governance body comprised of the library leadership from the ten campus libraries and California Digital Library. Together, CoUL members advance the shared priorities and strategic actions of the UC Libraries in service of the University’s core missions and the work and goals of UC faculty, students, clinicians, patients, researchers, administrators and staff. To accomplish this, the council established, holds administrative accountability for and sets the strategic priorities of the UC Libraries Advisory Structure (UCLAS). Through UCLAS, project teams and highly skilled library employees UC-wide, the UC Libraries coalition is empowered to pursue innovative systemwide services, strategies and systems, as well as mission-aligned collaborative action across and beyond UC.
The CoUL Charter, which is linked below, was written and finalized in 2023 and 2024 to document the long-standing and continuing principles, agreements and responsibilities established by and for the council.
This Charter will continue in effect indefinitely, unless amended or terminated unanimously by the eleven council members. The provisions and details of this Charter will be evaluated and, as necessary, amended by the council.
Additional CoUL shared agreements
CoUL operational guidelines and principles are further documented in a series of CoUL shared agreements.
- Guidelines for information-sharing with local library leadership teams and the Direction and Oversight Committee (DOC) [PDF]
- Guidelines for proxies attending CoUL meetings [PDF]
- CoUL decision-making mechanisms and protocols [PDF]
Document owner: Danielle Westbrook