Its stated mission is to "help the academic community use digital technologies to preserve the scholarly record and to advance research and teaching in sustainable ways".

[7] The organizations stated that the merger was "a natural progression" and that they would work together to help "academic institutions use digital technology to enhance scholarship and teaching and reduce system-wide costs through collective action.

"[8] JSTOR is a major database of academic research materials, with content that includes books, journals, and primary sources.

[10] Ithaka S+R conducts triennial surveys of faculty members and library directors in the United States.

[13] The National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services named Ithaka Harbors as one of the four recipients of their 2008 Digital Partnership grant awards.