# /programs/partnership/join.htm

originally: http://www.oclc.org/programs/partnership/join.htm

# Becoming an RLG Programs Partner RLG Programs partners are a cross-section of not-for-profit memory institutions with an educational, cultural, or research mission. As a partner you can take advantage of the combined expertise and experience of staff and partner institutions. We welcome your interest in joining RLG Programs. ## Requirements for institutional partnership Deep and rich collections and information resources, and a mandate to make them accessible now and into the future. A commitment to exploit technology to make these collections accessible for research. Resources that enable contribution to the "commons," without immediate gain. Commitment to collaboration. Capacity to contribute in multiple ways (e.g., collections, metadata/records and generally by sharing expertise and technology infrastructure, helping to set direction for collaboration work, etc.). ## Benefits of institutional partnership include Active engagement in the collaborative design of our collective future. Participation in applied research, community building, and the prototyping of future systems and services in support of research and learning through libraries, archives, museums, and related cultural heritage institutions worldwide. The opportunity to work with similarly motivated institutions to collaboratively address changing architectural, workflow, and service issues. Invitations to partners-only working groups that focus on high-priority needs and issues. Invitations to partners-only programs, educational events, and symposia. Access to white papers and research reports on topics directly relevant to you. Electing partner representatives to the Program Council—the group that advises and guides the agenda and work program. ## Opportunities through active participation Working on common interests with colleagues across the world—and across sectors: our membership includes a diverse group of libraries, archives, and museums with rich and varied collections. Contributing staff and expertise to the development of new tools and standards. Sharing collections and continuing to build and refine resource-sharing capacities. Improving the management of the cultural and scholarly record. Contributing to the developing practices and economics of research information description. Benefiting from data mining efforts to improve service and inform management of collections. Acquiring new understandings around the role and use of taxonomies. Helping to form community views of best practices in a range of key arenas. Annual partnership dues, which are based on the size of your organization, allow RLG Programs to support this collaborative work. See our dues schedule to determine what your rate would be. If your institution would like to join RLG Programs now, please fill out our partnership agreement form and fax it to us at +1-614-718-7609. We will invoice you on receipt. If you have any questions, or would like to learn more, please contact Nancy Elkington. We look forward to hearing from you.