General information

LITA Candidate Interviews

Ever wanted to know more about the candidates running for the offices that represent you in ALA matters? Well, here’s your chance. I’m Steve Thomas, host of Circulating Ideas, and I am going to be interviewing (nearly) everyone on the ballot for LITA positions and a fair number of other ALA positions. I’d like the input of LITA members, to find out what you want to know, what issues you think need to be addressed by your elected officials. If you’d like to have your question considered for inclusion in the interviews, please visit here and you can up- or down-vote other questions while you’re there. While you’re in a question-asking mood, you can also visit here to ask questions of the ALA Presidential candidates. Thanks for helping to make LITA a better-informed division! (Also, if you’re running for office, want to be on the show and haven’t yet spoken…

General information

So, what’s the deal with committees, anyway?

Good question, and I’m glad you asked. I need your help with that. LITA has 20 committees to which members must be appointed annually by the Vice-President. We also send representatives to twenty other committees, groups, task forces and organizations. Some terms are multi-year; some committee members can be reappointed; some chairs come from the pool of members already on the committee; some representatives serve in that capacity by virtue of their position on a committee. Some committees do a lot of work between conferences in virtual meetings, and some don’t. Some committees submit program proposals for Midwinter and Annual conference, and some don’t. TL;DR? It’s complicated, and I need about 100 people to fill spots that are opening up. I’m going to attack it one committee at a time, so watch this space for a call to action and more information about the committee of the week (roughly). Have…

Committees and Interest Groups

Want to serve in ALA? Volunteer by November 2

One of my duties as LITA VP is to participate in the Committee on Appointments, which recommends names for appointment to several ALA-level committees.  The deadline for volunteering for an appointment that will begin after Annual Conference 2013 is November 2.  Appointments are generally for two years, but there are some exceptions. Please also note that these are ALA-level, and NOT LITA committees, though you can volunteer for LITA committees using the same form, and of course, I urge you to! 🙂 These are also not the Committees of the ALA Council. Click the name of each committee below to read its complete charge and current roster, or view all Committees of the Association. Committee on Accreditation “To be responsible for the execution of the accreditation program of ALA, and to develop and formulate standards of education for library and information studies for the approval of council.” American Libraries Advisory Committee “To review…

2012

LITA Forum 2012: Streaming Video of Keynotes and Photo Group on Flickr

View streaming video of the LITA National Forum 2012 keynote speakers: Eric Hellman on Friday, Oct 5th at 1pm EDT Ben Shneiderman on Saturday, Oct 6th at 9am EDT Sarah Houghton on Sunday, Oct 6th at 10:30am EDT At http://www.ustream.tv/channel/lita-forum (Recordings will be available via USTREAM  after the event.) Also, check out photos of the forum via the Flickr group Pix4LITA

Committees and Interest Groups

New ALCTS/LITA Metadata Standards Committee

LITA and the Association for Library Collections &Technical Services (ALCTS) , with the support of Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), divisions of the American Library Association, are pleased to announce the formation of the ALCTS/LITA Metadata Standards Committee. The ALCTS/LITA Metadata Standards Committee will play a leadership role in the creation and development of metadata standards for bibliographic information. The Committee will review and evaluate proposed standards; recommend approval of standards in conformity with ALA policy; establish a mechanism for the continuing review of standards (including the monitoring of further development); provide commentary on the content of various implementations of standards to concerned agencies; and maintain liaison with concerned units within ALA and relevant outside agencies. The Metadata Standards Committee will begin its work at the Midwinter Meeting of the American Library Association, January 2013. While composition of the committee is still under discussion, membership will likely include equal numbers of voting members appointed by ALCTS and LITA and a voting…

General information

LITA Call for Proposals: ALA Annual 2013

The LITA Program Planning Committee is now accepting innovative and creative proposals for the 2013 Annual American Library Association Conference. We’re looking for full day pre-conferences and 90 minute conference presentations on technology in libraries–use of, new ideas for, and trends. Last year we received 95 proposals and we’re excited about all of your new ideas to share with us. Changes from last year!! Due to changes announced in June by the ALA Conference Committee – DS comments, all divisions are limited to accepting 20 programs each next summer. All programs will be 90 minutes, located in the convention center, and will be recorded. All proposal submissions will need to choose a Conference Track. Please see Appendix A in the Roadmap here (http://connect.ala.org/node/178761) for more details. Vendors wishing to submit a proposal should partner with a library representative who is using the product. The library/librarian should submit the proposal. *When/Where…

General information

Draft new LITA vision statement

Hey everyone, At yesterday’s meeting, the Board spent time crafting a new vision statement for LITA.  We would LOVE your feedback on this before we finalize it on Monday afternoon, in the form of comments below, tweets, photos, whatever!  If you’re in Anaheim this weekend, buttonhole one of your Board members in the hallway–look for our light blue “LITA Board of Directors” badge ribbons.  We want to hear from you!  If you provide feedback online, please tag with #litavision so we can keep track. “LITA builds a community of professionals, thinkers, doers and makers who foster innovation and leadership in library technology.” Ready, set, go!