Established in 2012 and launched in 2013, the tool aggregates position descriptions from participating academic and research libraries. It was developed and is currently hosted by the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida. The bank, which is free to ARL libraries, is currently limited to each institution’s identified “lead.” The ARL PD Bank makes it easier to access descriptions of previously vacant positions, which is particularly useful when positions change, new ones are developed, or existing ones eliminated. The bank will help individual libraries trace how the organization and definition of positions, functions, and services at their institution evolves over time, as well as enabling analysis of how the field as a whole is developing. It is a living site with more PDs added as needed.

According to usage statistics as of January 29, 2015, there were 259 registered users from 95 ARL member institutions and 13 additional institutions in the ASERL (Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, the largest U.S. regional research library consortium). Fifty institutions were in the PD Bank Live Site, with 24 active and the others are in various stages of implementation.

At the time of publication, 1446 position records had been submitted: 567 Professional Librarians, 104 Other Professionals, and 775 Support or Paraprofessionals. Position Record Statistics Position status: 1329 Filled, 95 Open, and 22 Discontinued. Appointment type: 1077 Regular, 308 Tenure Accruing or Permanent Status Eligible, 60 Temporary/Time Limited, and 1 Residency/Fellowship/Internship. Library type: 1349 All Other, University; 51 Medical Library, University; 46 Law Library, University; and 0 Nonuniversity Library.

Currently, 39 functional areas are represented in the ARL PD: