From the “President’s Message” in the July 2020 issue of Library Resources & Technical Services (LRTS), vol. 64, no. 3. While attending my first meeting of the ALCTS Executive Committee in April 2018, I learned about an
Continue readingThis report represents a summary of the activities of the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the 2018–2019 year. Working in libraries of all sizes and types, ALCTS represents a specialized community of functional experts and leaders in acquisitions, cataloging and metadata, collection management, electronic and continuing resources, and preservation. While our engaged members lead the way in developing standards and best practices for creating, identifying, selecting, acquiring, organizing, managing, and preserving recorded knowledge in all formats, we also recognize that both the profession and the American Library Association as a larger entity are changing, and that ALCTS needs to continue to grow and evolve. This annual report includes a summary of the association’s activities for the 2018–2019 year, and plans for the future.
Continue readingFor ALCTS 2018–2019 turned out to be a roller coaster of a year. We entered the year with definitive Board votes to devote time and resources toward exploring a new division, joining with the Library Information Technology Association (LITA) and the Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA). Although we devoted significant time and resources toward a new division in the fall, we were unable to get all of our goals accomplished in time for our respective Boards to make a decision whether to bring the new division before the membership. We instituted a project pause, to give all the Steering Committee (made of leadership of the three divisions) a chance to think, reflect, and determine the best course of action for the future. I am very pleased that after a moment of collective breath-taking, we have resumed work on developing a new ALA division.
Continue readingAfter a cool and wet spring, it’s hard to believe that summer is arriving, but yet here we are just a week and half away from the ALA Annual Conference, starting on June 20. Washington, DC always offers unparalleled opportunities to explore our government institutions and national treasures, often for no cost at all. This summer ALCTS will add to the cultural riches of our nation’s capital by offering conference attendees a wealth of programs and learning opportunities during Annual Conference.
Continue readingShortly before Midwinter, the Steering Committee—composed of the Presidents, President-Elects, and Executive Directors of the three divisions—determined that we weren’t ready to bring a new division proposal to the members for a vote. Instead, we agreed to pause the project. I realize this official notice had about as much warmth as an office memo, so I’d like to share a more personal version of this story, hopefully answering some questions along the way.
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