ANMIG Interviews CMS Executive Committee Chair Jill Emery

Whether you are a library school student or new library professional, navigating the ALCTS committee-scape can be overwhelming. To illustrate what committee work entails and how you can get involved, Sarah Cruz and Kumiko Reichert of the ALCTS New Members Interest Group (ANMIG for short) talked with committee leaders from each ALCTS section and asked them to tell us first-hand about their roles. Their interview with Jill Emery, chair of the ALCTS Collection Management Section (CMS) Executive Committee, is the third of six leading up to the 2019 ALA Midwinter Meeting.

Introduce your committee.

The Collection Management Section is dedicated to serving collection practitioners who perform collection management and development while selecting and evaluating all types of library materials in all types of institutions. As the Executive Committee of CMS, our goals are to collaborate readily with other ALCTS sections and provide programming that addresses many of the current issues with collections work

The Executive Committee of CMS helps to provide leadership and direction to the varying committees that make up the Collection Management Section. We try to find ways to integrate with other section committees to build a better experience across the varying sections that comprise ALCTS

Jill Emery, chair of the CMS Executive Committee

How long have you been part of the committee, first as member and then as chair?

I have been a member of CMS for a number of years but did not have a leadership role in the Executive Committee prior to being elected chair-elect. I have served on the Acquisitions Section Executive Committee and am also a past chair of the Continuing Resources Section. In addition, I have served in varying roles with ALCTS throughout my career.

Why were you interested in serving on this committee?

Throughout my career, I’ve held many positions within technical services. As a result this has allowed me to explore the varying sections that comprise ALCTS. I’m now committed to serving in roles through CMS due to my daily responsibilities working with collections.

What kind of work does your committee do?

The Executive Committee of CMS helps to provide leadership and direction to the varying committees that make up the Collection Management Section. We try to find ways to integrate with other section committees to build a better experience across the varying sections that comprise ALCTS.

What are the committee’s current or future projects?

Our current work plan involves developing an onboarding plan for new members to CMS on both the Executive Committee and on the other section committees. Additionally, we run a discussion list for sharing ideas and concerns regarding collections, as well as review the interest groups.

Are student members encouraged to serve on this committee? Or is it a better fit for professionals with experience in that department?

We would welcome student members to volunteer to serve on CMS committees as members or interns. However, serving on the Executive Committee requires being elected by the membership, and we do not have any intern positions to our committee.

How time intensive is the committee’s work? What is expected of members?

The CMS Executive Committee tries to balance work annually so that the work is consistent but not intensive. We generally try to work on one to two main goals annually. The members-at-large take on the work of developing the program for the CMS Forum at ALA Midwinter. We have quarterly calls to check on the progress of the work we’re involved in developing. In addition, we meet in person at each ALA Midwinter and Annual. The Chair-Elect is in charge of making appointments to all CMS committees.

What is the best way for a new member to join your committee?

Members of the CMS Executive Committee are elected each year by the CMS membership.

Do you see the committee’s duties or mission evolving if ALCTS, LITA, and LLAMA merge?

Yes, it is likely our committee make-up will change if there is a merger. At this point, it is hard to say what these changes will be.

The CMS Forum at ALA Midwinter 2019 will take place on Sunday, January 27 at 4:00 p.m. The topic is “Developing Collections in a Dynamic World: A Discussion of Changing Ideas, Roles and Organizational Structures.” Moderated by Maria Savova, director of scholarly information resources at the Claremont Colleges Library, the forum will feature a panel of three collections librarians sharing their experiences of reorganizations and redefinitions across roles in collection development. Anyone is welcome to attend!

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