2011-2012 Technical Services SIS
Chair's Report to AALL
The Executive Board of the Technical Services Special Interest Section (TS-SIS) for 2011-2012 was composed of Ismael Gullon, Chair; Pam Deemer, Past Chair; Elaine Bradshaw, Secretary/Treasurer; Suzanne R. Graham and Richard Paone, Members-at-Large; and four standing committee chairs: Eric Parker (Acquisitions), George Prager (Cataloging and Classification), Sally Wambold (Preservation), and Wendy Moore (Serials).
The AMPC approved seven programs (two were co-sponsored) and one workshop submitted by the TS-SIS Education Committee for the Boston meeting. The committee decided to sponsor two other programs: The Accidental Archivists and Creating Legal Subject Headings.
Paul Frank, from the Library of Congress, will be TS-SIS VIP this year in Boston.
George Prager is the recipient of the Renee Chapman Award for Outstanding Contribution in Technical Services Law Librarianship for 2012. The Awards Committee awarded the Marla J. Schwartz grant to Michael Umberger.
TS-SIS Executive Board presented two certificates of appreciation: Dr. Jolande Goldberg was recognized for her long standing contribution to law librarianship, and Cindy May was acknowledged for dynamic service and contribution to the Technical Services Law Librarian.
TS-SIS Executive Board appointed an Ad-hoc Committee on Strategic Directions. The committee submitted a draft report that included a proposed revised mission statement, strategic directions and a compilation of the survey's results. Plans are to submit it for approval at the TS-SIS annual business meeting in Boston.
The TS-SIS Executive Board established an Ad-hoc committee to review the Velvet Chainsaw Consulting report and its impact on TS-SIS educational programs, activities and functions, and prepare a response. The Ad-hoc Committee prepared and presented a draft response to the TS-SIS Executive Board for review and approval. The Executive Board's final version was then posted on the AALL Annual Meeting Special Committee community page and the TS-SIS online forum. This informative report by TS-SIS has received positive feedback from many AALL members.
The Bylaws and Handbook Committee submitted proposed amendments to the Bylaws. Membership in TS-SIS is required to serve on committee appointments. The amendments were approved. The Membership Committee reported that 26 new members joined TS-SIS and welcome letters were sent to each new member.
TS-SIS Acquisitions Committee conducted a survey entitled "Collection Development Trends in Law Libraries: Shift from Print to Electronic". This survey attempted to explore trends in collection development decisions in law libraries in light of difficult budgetary times and a general shift towards electronic resources. 236 responses were received.
TS-SIS Cataloging & Classification Committee has been very active during this year. The Descriptive Cataloging Policy Advisory Group (DCAG) continues to assist John Hostage, AALL representative to ALA's Committee on Cataloging Description and Access (CC:DA), with feedback on continuing changes, updates, and new developments in RDA. The SACO Funnel Project has encouraged law librarians to continue to develop Library of Congress subject headings and classification numbers for law related topics. Ask An Expert provides a forum for members to submit questions on law classification or subject headings and have them reviewed. Seven questions were answered by CSCP volunteers. The Genre/Form Project has been developing strategies for identifying WorldCat records for retrospective application of law genre/form terms. The Task Group on Vendor Supplied Records (VSR) has analyzed and made recommendations on the following vendor records sets: Practising Law Institute, Proquest Legislative Insight and MOM, Primary Sources II.
TS-SIS Preservation Committee is updating the preservation links on the TS-SIS website. An informative preservation blog, Stay Well Preserved, was created. Maxine Wright is the new author of the Preservation Column in TSLL. The Committee is sponsoring a photograph contest to discover the worst book ever in physical condition. Committee members will answer preservation questions at the activities table in the exhibit hall.
TS-SIS Serials Committee reported that the Exchange of Duplicates Program for 2011-2012 had 27 participating libraries and raised $810.00. The transition from print to electronic resources and the adaption of e-books by law libraries will continue to be a great discussion topic at the meeting.
Submitted by Ismael Gullon
TS-SIS Chair
2011-2012