Textbooks and curriculum guides are shelved in relatively close proximity to one another on moveable shelving. The moveable shelving provides space for growth, so that CRL can once again begin accepting deposits from its member libraries. The Center for Research Libraries is a consortium of research libraries that centralise certain materials at the Center's headquarters. Founded in 1949, the Center offers its members the opportunity to deposit certain categories of materials in its collections, as well as the opportunity to vote on the acquisition of specific types of materials, such as microform sets. This arrangement makes it possible for member institutions to have access to valuable materials, without having to bear the cost of purchasing or maintaining them at their own institutions.
Material is made available for loan to member libraries.
Non-member libraries may borrow materials for a fee. Loans are not made to individuals, only to libraries. CRL has one of North America's largest collections of primary and secondary textbooks published in the United States. Materials published outside of the United States and its territories are not collected. The collection of U.S. textbooks numbered about 85,000 volumes prior to the move from the warehouse in fall 1993.