Legal Innovation & Technology SIS Strategic Plans
Every two years, the Strategic Planning Committee of the Legal Innovation & Technology SIS refines the previous strategic plan for the Legal Innovation & Technology SIS. The plan is intended to address the interests, needs, and talents of members of the section. It is presented for discussion and adoption for the year it is under review at the LIT-SIS business meeting at the AALL Annual Meeting.
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2022 - 2024 Strategic Plan Mission
The purposes of LIT-SIS are to promote the communication of ideas, interests, and activities concerning technological advances in law librarianship and the practice of law, and to meet the professional needs of all law librarians active in integrating computing technology to serve their users.
Objectives:
LIT-SIS develops and promotes innovation and technology in legal education and practice. Our programs and materials address the acquisition, digitization, and dissemination of legal information and resources, as well as the use of technologies for legal instruction, legal practice, delivery of legal services, and increasing access to justice. We promote the role of law librarians as technology leaders in the legal community, and we are the leading AALL source for the technology-related professional development needs of law librarians.
Goal 1
Advance educational programming according to membership interests and needs.
STRATEGIES:
- Assess SIS needs to provide educational programming that complements the AALL’s Body of Knowledge.
- Create and promote excellent programming at the AALL Annual Meeting.
- Create and promote educational programming in collaboration with other groups during the calendar year. Look particularly for shared programming opportunities with AALS, CALI, ABA TECHSHOW, ILTA, and other entities working on legal technology issues.
- Develop a guide about best practices for digital accessibility in instruction.
- Develop other guides/toolkits about best practices in educational programming and/or documentation on relevant and timely topics. Examples of topics include online teaching, online learning, security, and privacy.
- Develop a process for LIT-SIS newly reconstituted committees (2022 – 2023 and 2023 – 2024) to create implementation goals for the strategic plan.
IMPLEMENTATION:
- In 2022-2023, develop a guide about best practices for digital accessibility in instruction.
- In 2022-2023, develop at least two other guides/toolkits about relevant and timely topics.
- In 2022-2023, continue to develop and maintain the Jobs Descriptions Database.
- For the AALL annual meeting each year, seek approval for at least two programs.
- Each year, partner with outside organizations to provide at least two shared programming offerings.
- In 2022-2023, solicit membership feedback about educational programming needs and the direction of the SIS.
- Each year after the annual meeting, LIT-SIS newly reconstituted committees will add implementation goals to the strategic plan website.
Goal 2
Actively recruit and engage members, both virtually and in person, throughout the year.
STRATEGIES:
- Formulate and implement a diversity, equity, and inclusion plan for the SIS.
- Identify and recruit potential new members among existing AALL members and law librarian non-members through active strategies (e.g., Member Get a Member Campaign).
- Engage with new and newer members at CONELL and develop pathways to encourage active member participation in SIS activities like committee membership, leadership, and educational programming.
- Continue with in-person SIS social engagements such as the Karaoke with Ken event at the Annual Meeting.
- Hold non-educational networking/roundtable events over Zoom during the year to foster SIS sense of community.
- Solicit feedback from members to guide the direction of the SIS.
- Consider the adoption of a SIS mascot.
IMPLEMENTATION:
- In 2022-2023, a diversity, equity, and inclusion plan will be formulated and implemented.
- Each year engage in at least two recruitment efforts to attract new members.
- At each AALL annual meeting, the SIS will participate in CONELL to attract new members.
- At each AALL annual meeting, at least one in-person social event will be held.
- Each year at least two non-educational networking/roundtable events will be held over Zoom each year to engage members.
- In 2022-2023, the adoption of a mascot will be considered.
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2019 - 2021 Strategic Plan MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Computing Services Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries is:
- To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge about technology among law librarians.
- To serve a leadership role in the ongoing professional development of law librarians as they evaluate, implement, and use new forms of technology at their organizations.
- To assist law librarians with demonstrating to their organizations the important roles librarians play in advancing the understanding and use of technology in legal education and the practice of law.
OBJECTIVE:
Become the leading AALL source for continuing education opportunities for librarians and library staff that work with and have an interest in technology.
RATIONALE:
In the past decade there has been strong interest in the teaching of practice technology to law students and lawyers, as well as in classroom and courtroom technologies. This is evidenced by discussion among section members, by additional law school course offerings; by social media discussions focusing on the topic; by the creation of a Section on Technology, Law and Legal Education in the Association of American Law schools; and by the creation of a Teaching Technology Caucus within AALL. There is an overlap between the section and the Digital and Educational Technologies SIS in the narrow area of presentation technologies. Digitization has been an interest of a significant portion of our membership but has not commanded a large part of our focus in recent years.
The 2019 survey of section membership found continuing strong interest in educational programming by the section, and in developing substantive papers in topics of interest, as would a think tank. The survey also showed members are interested in more effective communication within the section and reaching out to librarians outside of academia.
GOAL I: SECTION EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
OBJECTIVE:
Advance and align section educational programming according to membership interest and need.
STRATEGIES:
- Align educational programming with AALL’s Body of Knowledge.
- Continue to create and promote excellent programming at the AALL annual meeting.
- Develop and offer educational webinars and other programming throughout the year.
GOAL II: COMMUNICATION, ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH
OBJECTIVE:
Actively engage members, both virtually and in person, throughout the year. Recruit new members.
STRATEGIES:
- Appoint a special committee to consider whether to change the section’s name. The committee’s deliverable will be a recommendation to the board whether to change the name and, if the recommendation is positive, to accompany it with one or more options for a new name. The committee shall make its final report within six months of appointment.
- The chair or designated board members shall reach out to leadership of Digital and Educational Technologies SIS and the Teaching Technology Caucus to identify areas of shared interest and potential collaboration. If those organizations are willing, leadership shall discuss whether some form of organizational consolidation is desirable.
- Identify potential new members among existing AALL members and law librarians who are not yet AALL members.
- Implement an online annual business meeting.
GOAL III: EXECUTIVE BOARD AND COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE
OBJECTIVE:
To provide more structure to the work of the Executive Board and SIS projects; and, to provide more leadership and guidance to the Committee chairs in regard to Committee projects and goals.
STRATEGIES:
- Assign to both board members-at-large the responsibility to manage a section-sponsored social event at the AALL annual meeting. While this event presently is Karaoke with Ken, board members should plan for an alternative event when that becomes necessary.
- Continue efforts to develop effective governance continuity from year-to-year with cloud-based archiving of reports and other programmatic and governance documents. Continue succession planning efforts by the Executive Board.
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2015 - 2017 Strategic Plan Mission Statement
The mission of the Computing Services Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries is:
- To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge concerning information technology related technology among law librarians and
- To serve a leadership role in the ongoing professional development of law librarians as they evaluate, implement, and use new forms of technology at their institutions and organizations.
Objective:
Become a leading source for continuing education opportunities for librarians and library staff that work with and have an interest in technology.
Rationale:
In the 2011 CS-SIS Recruitment Survey, most of the respondents had attended CS-SIS educational programs and indicated that CS-SIS programs online and at AALL were important to them. Because of the strong desire and support for education, this goal has been addressed first. Respondents were most interested in receiving information about new technology and technology tips from CS-SIS. Respondents indicated they would be more motivated to be involved in CS-SIS if there were more online education opportunities such as the Web 2.0 Challenge. Respondents of both surveys indicated a desire for more educational opportunities such as the Web 2.0 Challenge and for opportunities that were offered year-round. Respondents indicated that the types of information they were most interested in receiving through CS-SIS were technology tips and information about new technology. There was tension in both surveys between the need for advanced education as well as outreach to less technically sophisticated users.
Goal II: Communication, Engagement & Outreach
Objective:
Actively engage members, both virtually and in person, throughout the year. The Board and Recruitment should review suggestions made throughout the year to determine which, if any, are viable.
Rationale:
From the CS-SIS Recruitment Survey, it was apparent that members liked to keep current with CS-SIS through a variety of formats. One size did not fit all. Also, many respondents expressed a desire for regional and local face-to-face meetings. Respondents to the 2011 CS-SIS Executive Board / Committee Leader Survey also expressed a desire to improve communication with the AALL regional chapter meetings. This can be expanded to non-AALL meetings such as CALI and SLA.
Goal III: Succession Planning
Objective:
The Committee recommends that CS-SIS formalize succession planning to preserve SIS memory and to keep up momentum for long-term projects.
Rationale:
Board and Chair membership change from year to year. It is easy to lose momentum and important information about regular and long term projects. Even basic succession planning would help with preserving SIS memory.
Goal IV: Year-Long Project
A larger project that CS plans or implements throughout the year would help to keep members engaged from the time one AALL meeting ends to the time the next begins. The tension here, of course, is that projects like these can take more time and resources than CS members may be able to contribute. Possible projects might include:
- Host a MOOC teaching library technologies
- Host a regular podcast focusing on library technologies.
- Host a “Technology Summit” at the AALL Annual Meeting.
- Work with CALI to create discrete lessons focusing on librarian and student technology skills.
Goal V: Board and Chair Governance
Objective:
To provide more structure to the work of the Executive Board and SIS projects; and, to provide more leadership and guidance to the Committee chairs in regard to Committee projects and goals.
Rationale:
To help keep SIS work going throughout the AALL year so it is not all done in a flurry in May- July. This goal will also help succession planning goal with increased sharing of information on a more consistent basis.
Implementation Plan
Year 1
Stand-alone projects
- Propose and schedule regular CS Board & Committee Chair meetings. Create ongoing agenda from year to year. [Chair] Implemented 2015-2016, ongoing in 2016-2017.
- Assign each Board member to be a liaison to each committee to report on their behalf; create an ongoing agenda to be used from year to year. [Chair] Implemented 2015- 2016, ongoing in 2016-2017.
- Launch Vice-chair project – The Vice Chair chooses one of the larger projects to manage in their incoming year to continue as Chair with help from new VC, suggestion: educational programming or outreach to other SISs. [Chair and Vice Chair] Implemented 2015-2016, the Vice Chair proposed a webinar to AALL. Unfortunately, the webinar was not selected. A new project will be selected by the incoming Vice Chair in 2016-2017.
- Establish a working group, or assign to a committee, to create a plan for warehousing resources for self-directed learning. Not implemented in 2015-2016, ongoing in 2016-2017.
- Design a plan for succession documents
- Committee chairs provide documentation on current procedures. Four committees provided documentation in 2015, have requested documentation from all committee chairs in 2016.
- Executive Board contributes process documentation. Implemented 2015-2016. A CS-SIS Executive Board Google account was established and documentation was deposited there for the Board to use. Review of documentation will be ongoing in 2016-2017.
On-going projects
- Feature regular posts on the CS blog such as technology tips and product reviews. Promote posts using services such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and AALL My Communities discussion. Creating a blog committee in 2016-2017 to focus solely on the blog.
- Host at least 1 webinar or other education event; webinars could be follow-ups from the posts to CS’s web presence. Implemented 2015-2016 by the Education Committee, ongoing in 2016-2017. The webinar “Creating Engaging Digital Content to Teach and Promote Library Services” was held on July 7, 2016 and archived on aallnet.org. The webinar was moderated by Education Committee Chair Kris Turner and the speakers were Beverly Butula and John Cannon.
- Leverage services such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, AALL My Communities discussion (e-mail), CS-SIS Blog, and CS-SIS wiki to improve communication and actively engage members. Automate / integrate social media communications. Partially implemented 2015-2016, ongoing in 2016-2017.
- Promote a week-long discussion via AALL My Communities (e-mail) on a hot topic. Not implemented 2015-2016, ongoing in 2016-2017.
- Continue offering and participating in events like Bloggers Get Together / Tweet-Up, Karaoke with Ken, joint reception event with TS, RIPS, and OBS. Implemented 2015-2016 with Alphabet Soup reception and Karaoke with Ken on the schedule in 2016. Continue in 2016-2017.
Year 2
Stand-alone projects
- Evaluate frequency of Board meetings and consider changing bylaws to reflect recommendation. [Ownership – Chair]
- Change by-laws to require Past-Chair provides documentation of dates/times and details of role of the Chair that is not already reflected in the existing documentation. [Ownership – Past Chair and Bylaws Committee]
- Finalize plan for succession documents [Ownership – Past Chair]
- Create outreach plan [Ownership – Recruitment & Involvement Committee]
Continue ongoing projects.
Year 3
Stand-alone projects
- Implement outreach plan [Ownership – Recruitment & Involvement Committee]
- Plan for digitization of non-digital succession documents [Ownership – Past Chair]
Continue ongoing projects.
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2011 - 2012 Strategic Plan Mission Statement
The mission of the Computing Services Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries is:
To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge concerning information technology related technology among law librarians and
To serve a leadership role in the ongoing professional development of law librarians as they evaluate, implement, and use new forms of technology at their institutions and organizations.
Strategic Direction I: Strategic Planning
CS-SIS will develop a strategic plan that reflects the desires and needs of the section through active and ongoing engagement with the CS SIS Membership (the “Membership”).
Strategies:
- The Executive Board will charge the Strategic Planning Committee to investigate and draft a detailed strategic plan during the 2011-2012 program planning year.
- The Strategic Planning Committee will implement feedback measures to solicit the Membership’s input. Feedback measures may include but are not limited to using established outlets such as the AALL Annual Meeting, CS SIS blog, and Law Librarian Conversations podcast, online surveys, virtual town halls, and regional chapter meetings.
- The new Strategic Plan will address the future direction of the CS SIS for the next three years as provided for in the CS SIS By-laws.
Strategic Direction II: Archive of CS Data
CS SIS will establish procedures to collect and preserve the historical record of the CS SIS.
Strategies:
- The Executive Board will designate a working group or task force dedicated to collecting and preserving the historical record of the CS SIS.
- As part of its responsibilities, this group will recommend to the Executive Board whether a Standing Committee should be created to support this Strategic Direction.
- The designated group will solicit members for documents created during CS SIS activities and operations that are distributed amongst the membership for deposit into an historical repository held by the CS SIS.
- The designated group will employ standard archive procedures to inventory, organize, identify conservation/preservation issues, and draft an action plan to digitize and make this material accessible to the CS SIS.
Strategic Direction III: Education
CS-SIS Program Planning Committee will propose educational sessions that meet the advanced and basic educational needs of the Membership.
Strategies:
- Identify educational needs of CS SIS Members
- Educational needs of the Membership can be identified through tools such as online surveys distributed prior to the AALL annual meeting, throughout the year through the CS SIS blog and wiki, and at the program planning meeting held at the CALI annual conference and the AALL annual meeting.
- Promote beginning and advanced level educational programs for CS SIS members that reflect the needs of the Membership
- at traditional environments such as the AALL Annual Meeting and through the AALL Continuing Professional Education Committee, and
- in remote environments through web conferencing
Strategic Direction IV: Outreach and Advocacy
CS-SIS will be recognized as a leading advocate and expert in the area of technology.
Strategies:
- Be an active voice within AALL to provide emerging technology platforms for AALL member use.
- The Program Planning Committee will establish nontraditional methods to engage the AALL membership at large through initiatives such as the Cool Tools Café, unconference events, and continued support for alternative nonAMPC educational programs at the AALL Annual Meeting and throughout the year.
- Investigate emerging technologies and publish reviews in CS SIS news outlets
- The Publications Committee is responsible for selecting at least twelve topics, including product reviews, for members to write about on the CS blog/web site on a monthly basis. Potential authors will include Grant recipients and others identified by the Recruitment and Involvement Committee.
- Promote CS-SIS activities and resources
- The Publications Committee will actively market all CS SIS programming through its blog, wiki and list serv outlets.
- Record all CS SIS programs and make them available through the CS SIS web site
Strategic Direction V: Strengthen Membership and Leadership
CS-SIS will sustain a vibrant membership and encourage leadership among its members.
Strategies:
- Facilitate networking opportunities between members and nonmembers through social events and educational programming
- CS SIS will continue to support the AALL annual joint reception event with TS SIS, RIPS SIS, and OBS SIS
- Ensure that new members attend the joint reception and encourage established CS SIS members to invite and accompany them
- CS SIS Program Planning Committee will seek other AALL SIS and committee programming partners when appropriate
- CS SIS will continue to support the AALL annual joint reception event with TS SIS, RIPS SIS, and OBS SIS
- Encourage involvement with mentoring opportunities within AALL and CS SIS
- CS SIS Recruitment and Involvement Committee will ensure continued and highly visible representation at annual CONELL events
- Continue to support grants for new and experienced law librarians for attendance at the AALL Annual Meeting and other professional development opportunities
- The Recruitment and Involvement Committee will work with the CS SIS Secretary in identifying new CS SIS members
- to encourage participation in the Membership early in their careers, and
- assign new members
Members of the Strategic Planning Committee 2010-2011:
Victoria Szymczak (chair)
Approved July 26, 2011 - The Executive Board will charge the Strategic Planning Committee to investigate and draft a detailed strategic plan during the 2011-2012 program planning year.
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2008 - 2010 Strategic Plan Mission Statement
The mission of the Computing Services Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries is:
- To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge concerning information technology related technology among law librarians and
- To serve a leadership role in the ongoing professional development of law librarians as they evaluate, implement, and use new forms of technology at their institutions and organizations.
GOAL I: Education
CS-SIS will propose educational sessions focusing on the integration of technologies in libraries to enhance library services, patron education and staff workflow.
Strategies:
- Promote beginning and advanced level educational programs for CS SIS members at traditional environments such as the AALL Annual Meeting and remote environments as provided for by Web 2.0 technology and beyond.
- Investigate emerging technologies and publish reviews in CS SIS news outlets such as Connecting…
- Provide ongoing events for technology education among all law librarians in physical and virtual spaces.
GOAL II: Outreach and Advocacy
CS-SIS will be recognized as a leading advocate and expert in the area of technology.
Strategies:
- Be an active voice within AALL to provide emerging technology platforms for AALL member use
- Identify and create partnerships with AALL chapters and SISs, as well as with other technology- related organizations, on common issues of concern regarding technology in law libraries
- Promote CS-SIS activities and resources in Spectrum and other areas
GOAL III: Strengthen Membership and Leadership
CS-SIS will sustain a vibrant membership and encourage leadership among its members.
Strategies:
- Facilitate networking opportunities between members and nonmembers through social events and educational programming
- Encourage involvement with mentoring opportunities within AALL and CS SIS
- Offer CS-SIS grants to attend AALL meetings and workshops
Members of the Strategic Planning Committee 2007-2008:
Victoria Szymczak (chair)
Jean Willis
Approved July 14, 2008 -
2005 - 2007 Strategic Plan Mission Statement
The mission of the Computing Services Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries is:
- To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge concerning information technology related technology among law librarians and
- To serve a leadership role in the ongoing professional development of law librarians as they evaluate, implement, and use information technology related services.
GOAL I: Education
CS-SIS will provide education and training on the integration of technologies within law libraries.
Strategies:
- Develop and offer programming on technology issues through opportunities such as the AALL Annual Meeting
- Investigate and review emerging technologies and publish these reviews
- Create a Web-based clearinghouse of technology resource guides
- Identify topics and authors for the CS-SIS newsletter Connecting…
GOAL II: Outreach and Advocacy
CS-SIS will be recognized as a leader and expert in the area of technology.
Strategies:
- Facilitate networking opportunities between members and nonmembers
- Identify and create partnerships with AALL chapters and SISs, as well as with other technology- related organizations
- Promote CS-SIS activities and resources in Spectrum and other areas
- Develop strategies to connect with librarians and information technology professionals outside of our membersip
GOAL III: Strengthen Membership and Leadership
CS-SIS will sustain a vibrant membership and encourage leadership among its members.
Strategies:
- Facilitate networking and opportunities for information sharing
- Promote virtual mentoring through the CS-SIS discussion list, resource guides on the CS-SIS Web site, blogs, and other electronic means
- Expand informal mentoring opportunities
- Offer CS-SIS grants to attend AALL meetings and workshops
Members of the Strategic Planning Committee 2004-2005:
Robert A. Jacoby (chair)
Susan Boland
Eric Gilson
Sally A. Irvin
Kristina Niedringhaus
Approved July 17, 2005 -
2003 - 2005 Strategic Plan Mission Statement
The mission of the Computing Services Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries is:
- To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge concerning computer-related technology among law librarians and
- To serve a leadership role in the ongoing professional development of law librarians as they evaluate, implement, and use computer-related services.
Strategic Directive #1: Revitalize the Leadership and Involvement of the CS SIS Membership
Specific Action #1: Establish a formal mentoring system of older and newer members within the section based on type of library, geographic location, areas of interest and expertise.
- Implementation: Create a CS SIS Mentoring Committee. The Mentoring Committee will put the plan in place and be responsible for administering the program. Assign a section liaison to the AALL Mentoring and Retention Committee.
- Anticipated completion: Summer 2003 for initial implementation, then ongoing.
Specific Action #2: Conduct an annual survey of the CS SIS membership via the Internet to gauge expectations and needs for future activities of the section.
- Implementation: Assign this task to the CS SIS Strategic Planning Committee. Provide incentives (such as entry into a drawing) for completing the survey.
- Anticipated completion: Annually.
Strategic Directive #2: Establish the CS SIS as a Valuable Resource for the Continuing Education of the AALL Membership in the Area of Technology
Rationale: The knowledge base of the section’s membership is vast and relatively untapped. The CS SIS membership surveys indicate that section members are concerned with professional development and list web documentation as the most valuable method of delivery. The SIS listserv/discussion groups are to be used to notify the membership concerning the implementation items below.
Specific Action #1: Create a list of experts within our section who are knowledgeable in various areas of technology and willing to share their expertise with others.
- Implementation: Assign this task to the CS SIS membership committee. The experts list may be based upon information gathered from the annual survey as well as other information gathering methods.
- Anticipated completion: Created by fall 2003, then ongoing.
Specific Action #2: Develop a library of technology-related documentation or databases at the CS SIS web site (and linked from AALLNET).
Part of this library would include the CS SIS newsletter and articles therein.
- Implementation: Assign to the Technology Competencies Committee. Perhaps include lists or sites that members find invaluable.
- Anticipated completion: Ongoing, beginning in the fall of 2003
Specific Action #3: Develop and publish on the SIS website core competencies in technology for law libraries.
- Implementation: Assigned to the Technology Competencies Committee of the SIS. Assign member of committee to be liaison to the AALL Professional Development Committee.
- Anticipated completion: Ongoing, beginning in the fall of 2003
Strategic Directive #3: Promote a Greater Presence of the CS SIS at AALL’s Meetings, Events, and Activities
Rationale: Relatively low involvement of section members compared to size of membership such as poor attendance at section meetings and events, lack of response to solicitations for participation, and lack of volunteerism.
Specific Action #1: Same as Specific Action #2 for DIRECTIVE #2.
Specific Action #2: In addition to the business meeting, schedule a second event for the section membership at the AALL annual meeting.
This would be a breakfast event (ideally paid for from section membership dues and perhaps vendor sponsorship) which would include a featured speaker.
- Implementation: Assigned to the chair elect to coordinate.
- Anticipated completion: Annually
Specific Action #3: Schedule a social event, such as a no host dinner, of CS SIS section members at the annual meeting and the meetings of regional chapters of the association.
- Implementation: Assigned to the Chair who, in working with the membership committee, will identify section members to organize these social events.
- Anticipated completion: Ongoing
Specific Action #4: Establish SIS Liaisons to the Annual Meeting Selection Committee, the AALLNET advisory committee, the Academic Law Library SIS, the Private Law Library SIS, and the State, Court and County Law Library SIS.
- Implementation: Assigned to the Vice-Chair to Coordinate
- Anticipated Completion: Ongoing
Specific Action #5: Submit an Annual SIS Report to AALL Executive Board as an informational item at the appropriate Board Meeting.
- Implementation: SIS Chair
- Anticipated Completion: Ongoing
Specific Action #6: Establish a formal system for designing, proposing, and supporting programs, workshops, and demonstrations at annual and regional association meetings.
- Implementation: Assigned to the CS-SIS program committee
- Anticipated Completion: Ongoing
Members of the Strategic Planning Committee 2002-2003:
Kristina Niedringhaus (chair)
Susan Boland
Darin Fox
Approved July 13, 2003 -
2001 - 2003 Strategic Plan MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Computing Services Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries is:
- To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge concerning computer-related technology among law librarians and
- To serve a leadership role in the ongoing professional development of law librarians as they evaluate, implement, and use computer-related services.
STRATEGIC DIRECTIVE #1: REVITALIZE THE LEADERSHIP AND INVOLVEMENT OF THE CS SIS MEMBERSHIP
Specific Action #1: Establish a formal mentoring system of older and newer members within the section based on type of library, geographic location, areas of interest and expertise.
- Implementation: Assign this task to the CS SIS membership committee to put the plan in place and then assign responsibility for administering this program to one of the members at large. Assign a section liaison to the AALL Mentoring and Retention Committee.
- Anticipated completion: Annual Meeting 2002
Specific Action #2: Conduct an annual survey of the CS SIS membership via the Internet to gauge expectations and needs for future activities of the section.
- Implementation: Assign this task to the CS SIS Strategic Planning Committee.
- Anticipated completion: Annually.
STRATEGIC DIRECTIVE #2: ESTABLISH THE CS SIS AS A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR THE CONTINUING EDUCATION OF THE AALL MEMBERSHIP IN THE AREA OF TECHNOLOGY
Rationale: The knowledge base of the section’s membership is vast and relatively untapped. The CS SIS membership surveys indicate that section members are concerned with professional development and list web documentation as the most valuable method of delivery. The SIS listserv/discussion groups are to be used to notify the membership concerning the implementation items below.
Specific Action #1: Create a list of experts within our section who are knowledgeable in various areas of technology and willing to share their expertise with others.
- Implementation: Assign this task to the CS SIS membership committee, chaired by one of the members at large. The experts list may be based upon information gathered from the annual survey.
- Anticipated completion: Created by fall 2001, then ongoing.
Specific Action #2: Develop a library of technology-related documentation or databases at the CS SIS web site (and linked from AALLNET).
Part of this library would include the CS SIS newsletter and articles therein.
- Implementation: Assigned to one of the members at large (as webmaster) along with a publications committee appointed by the executive board.
- Anticipated completion: Ongoing, beginning in the fall of 2001
Specific Action #3: Develop and publish on the SIS website core competencies in technology for law libraries.
- Implementation: Assigned to Core Competencies Committee of the SIS. Assign member of committee to be liaison to the AALL Professional Development Committee.
- Anticipated completion: Ongoing, beginning in the fall of 2001
STRATEGIC DIRECTIVE #3: PROMOTE A GREATER PRESENCE OF THE CS SIS AT AALL’s MEETINGS, EVENTS, AND ACTIVITIES
Rationale: Relatively low involvement of section members compared to size of membership such as poor attendance at section meetings and events, lack of response to solicitations for participation, and lack of volunteerism.
Specific Action #1: Same as Specific Action #2 for DIRECTIVE #2.
Specific Action #2: In addition to the business meeting, schedule a second event for the section membership at the AALL annual meeting.
This would be a breakfast event (ideally paid for from section membership dues and perhaps vendor sponsorship) which would include a featured speaker.
- Implementation: Assigned to the chair elect to coordinate.
- Anticipated completion: Annually
Specific Action #3: Schedule a social event, such as a no host dinner, of CS SIS section members at the annual meeting and the meetings of regional chapters of the association.
- Implementation: Assigned to the Chair who, in working with the membership committee, will identify section members to organize these social events.
- Anticipated completion: Ongoing
Specific Action #4: Establish SIS Liaisons to the Annual Meeting Selection Committee, the AALLNET advisory committee, the Academic Law Library SIS, the Private Law Library SIS, and the State, Court and County Law Library SIS.
- Implementation: Assigned to the Vice Chair to Coordinate
- Anticipated completion: Ongoing
Specific Action #5: Submit an Annual SIS Report to AALL Executive Board as an informational item at the appropriate Board Meeting.
- Implementation: SIS Chair
- Anticipated completion: Ongoing
Specific Action #6: Establish a formal system for designing, proposing, and supporting programs, workshops, and demonstrations at annual and regional association meetings.
- Implementation: Assigned to the CS-SIS program committee
- Anticipated completion: Ongoing
Members of the Strategic Planning Committee 2000-2001:
Kristina Niedringhaus (chair)
Mark Folmsbee
Jim Milles
Sean Saxon
Don Arndt
Approved March 29, 2001