Established in 1969, the Academic Assembly is the self-governance body for librarians and archivists within the Cornell University Library (CUL). The Assembly operates like other academic units with respect to decisions relating to appointments, promotions, tenure, conditions of service and related matters of internal governance for all Research, Teaching, and Extension (RTE) Faculty within the CUL. It also plays a key role in determining the policies and standards by which the Cornell University Library will be administered.

The Academic Assembly is chaired by the University Librarian, and administered in large part by the Academic Assembly Steering Committee, who are elected from among the membership as per the Academic Assembly bylaws.