ARL launched the Leadership and Career Development Program in 1997. Over the course of seven LCDP offerings, 119 librarians have completed the program and a large percentage of them have either been promoted within their libraries or have assumed significantly expanded responsibilities within their institutions.

The program curriculum is tied directly to ARL's strategic directions:

• Influencing public policies
• Reshaping scholarly communication
• Transforming research libraries, including the roles of staff, and shifting collections and services