The Career Resources Online Service was established in 1996 to provide job hunters with an easy-to-use resource for finding positions in ARL libraries. This service assists member institutions in attracting a qualified, talented, and diverse applicant pool.

The Career Resources Online Service began accepting announcements from non-member libraries in 1997. Free to ARL members, the fee collected from non-members helps to sustain the service.

Branch campuses of member libraries are considered ARL members for purposes of this service if the administration, personnel, or budget functions of the branch library fall under the purview of the Director of Libraries or University Librarian of the main campus.