Preservation has long been considered a fundamental responsibility of research libraries. Data on preservation activities by its members has been collected by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) since 1987, but changing digital technologies and the research, teaching, and learning environments in which research libraries are engaged created a need to review and examine assumptions about the types of qualitative and quantitative data needed to characterize current and emerging preservation programs. This report reflects recent shifts in libraries' content management role but is also a response to a specific recommendation of the 2006 ARL Task Force on the Future of Preservation in ARL Libraries to gather data to provide a contemporary picture of preservation programs in ARL member libraries. The report is organized around three themes: (1) Preservation functions; (2) Networked digital environment; and (3) Collaboration. Within each section, background and analysis are provided and recommendations for consideration by ARL are posed. Overall recommendations for ways that ARL and others in the preservation community could move forward include: (1) Improved cooperation and collaboration both within and among institutions to bring attention to and resolve common issues for the community; (2) ARL can encourage their members to share information about their current activities through the use of existing tools; (3) Libraries should look to new ways to obtain expertise for preservation activities and use partnerships to extend their capacity; (4) All ARL libraries should maintain a core set of preservation activities appropriate for their stewardship responsibility and institutional mission; and (5) Volatility of the content and technical environment requires staff to commit to continual learning. Additionally, recommendations to ARL's Statistics and Measurement Program are offered as a means for furthering conversation within the ARL and preservation community. Categories of new data to collect, the level of data needed, and specific changes for current data and definitions are suggested. Two appendixes are included: (1) List of Participants; and (2) Recommendations to the ARL Statistics & Measurement Program. A bibliography and list of acronyms are included. (Contains 44 footnotes, 8 figures, and 5 tables.)