The primary mission of the ERL is to provide resources and services that support the curriculum needs of Oakland University's School of Education and Human Services. A secondary purpose is to support the scholarly activity, to whatever degree possible, of the entire university community. And finally, the ERL strives to make ERL resources available to the community at large as long as it does not interfere with the primary mission.

The ERL provides:

• State-of-the-art multimedia resources (print and electronic materials, 60+ networked computers with access to the Internet as well as to color and black and white printers). Other equipment includes: laminator, bookbinder, fax machine, Ellison die Cutter, copy machines, printers, and scanners.

• Access and guidance to resources and equipment through workshops and consultation with knowledgeable experts.

• Space for students to collaborate with peers as they interact with multimedia resources and equipment for teaching, training and human services.

The ERL is a professional development laboratory. The organization of materials in each area varies. Cross discipline and diversity materials are included in every section. All materials circulate except textbooks, reference and journals. When ERL print materials and technology merge, "research, scholarship, and creative activities" are transformed into tangible as well as virtual products.