The Electronic Communications Committee began as the ILA/ACRL Ad Hoc Web Committee in 1996. This Committee established the Association's Web site at: http://www.iowaacrl.org. In 1997 the Association also created a mailing list, and the Committee's name was changed to ILA/ACRL Ad Hoc Electronic Information Committee. In 1998 ILA/ACRL changed its bylaws and made this committee a standing one. Beginning with 1999, this new standing committee, named the Electronic Communications Committee, is responsible for the tasks formerly performed by the Ad Hoc Committee.
Responsibilities
As of 2003, the ILA/ACRL mailing list is run by Steve Ostrem at the University of Iowa Libraries. The mailing list is designed to quickly disseminate information to ILA/ACRL members who have subscribed to the mailing list.
The ILA/ACRL Web site is found at http://www.iowaacrl.org/. In order to make changes on the Web site, a password needs to be entered. The password is changed periodically. Members of the Electronic Communications Committee will know the current password.
The Committee is responsible for running the mailing list and maintaining the ILA/ACRL Web site. The latter involves adding new information to the Web site, as needed, updating existing information, deleting or archiving old information, improving the design of the Web pages, and general maintenance of the pages. Changes on the Web site are generally made by the Chair, but can also be made by other Committee members designated by the Chair.
Information on the Web site which must regularly be updated includes: the Iowa Academic and Research Libraries Directory, the list of Officers and Committees, the Membership Roster, the Strategic Plan (if changed), the Bylaws (if changed), the Volunteer form, upcoming conferences, scholarship information, and information relating to the ILA/ACRL portion of the ILA fall conference and to the ILA/ACRL spring conference. The ILA/ACRL Newsletter is now published only electronically and needs to be added to the Web site as soon as it is ready. It is usually published three times a year, in March, July, and November. Selected pictures from the ILA/ACRL spring conference are usually also added to the Web site.
In order for the electronic information to be posted on the Web site in a timely manner, it is crucial that the Committee Chair work together closely with the ILA/ACRL President and the other Committee chairs, in particular the chairs of the Directory Committee, the Newsletter Committee, the Fall Program Committee, the Spring Conference Program Committee, and the Awards Committee (announcements of scholarship opportunities).
Schedule of Activities
November
Plan to attend the ILA/ACRL Executive Board Planning meeting. Other Executive Board meetings may be called during the year. Plan to attend them.
Update the information on ILA/ACRL Officers and Committees on the Web site.
Place the November Newsletter issue on the Web site.
December
Communicate with the members of your Committee. Acknowledge their appointments and outline the work that will be done and their expected contributions.
January/February
Place call for contributed papers for the ILA/ACRL Spring Conference on the Web site (January).
Obtain from the Directory Committee Chair all the changes that have to be made in the electronic version of the Iowa Academic and Research Libraries Directory. It is a good idea to communicate with the Directory Chair prior to this and discuss the best way of making the changes in the electronic Directory. Make the changes in the electronic Directory (this is usually a very time consuming process). Note that changing the electronic Directory might occur later in the year, depending on when all the necessary information has been put together by the Directory Committee (in other words, depending on when the print edition of the Directory is ready to go to the Printer). At this time also update the ILA/ACRL Membership Roster and the schedule of upcoming conferences.
February/March/April
Place information regarding the ILA/ACRL Spring conference on the Web site. This information will come from the Chair of the Spring Conference Committee and/or from the President. This information will include a conference registration (place on Web site in February), a preliminary program, and information about the host college/university and city.
Place information about scholarship opportunities for the ILA/ACRL Spring conference on the Web site (obtain information from Awards Committee Chair).
In March, add the new issue of the ILA/ACRL Newsletter to the Web site.
Update ILA/ACRL Volunteer Form.
April/May
Place last minute updates regarding the ILA/ACRL Spring conference on the Web site (if there are any).
June
Post conference pictures on the Web site. Archive (on the Web site) information regarding the Spring conference.
July
Place the July Newsletter issue on the Web site.
September
Place information about the ILA/ACRL programs at the fall ILA Conference on the Web site.
October
Clean up the Web page as necessary. Delete outdated materials. Archive older materials which need to be used again the following year. Make changes in design and layout, if desired.
Write thank you letters to Committee members.
Revise the information about your Committee for the Organization Manual.
The Electronic Communications Committee Chair
1996 Barbara Allen, University of Northern Iowa
1997 Barbara Allen, University of Northern Iowa
1998 Barbara Allen, University of Northern Iowa
1999 Megan Adams, University of Northern Iowa
2000 Megan Adams, University of Northern Iowa
2000 Chris Neuhaus, University of Northern Iowa
2001 Chris Neuhaus, University of Northern Iowa
2002 Chris Neuhaus, University of Northern Iowa
2003 Chris Neuhaus, University of Northern Iowa
2004 Chris Neuhaus, University of Northern Iowa
2005 Ryan Gjerde, Luther College
2006 Ryan Gjerde, Luther College
2007 Ryan Gjerde, Luther College