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IASL Handbook of Organization:

Guidelines: The IASL-LINK ListServ

See also the IASL-LINK Page

Name

The official listserv of the International Association of School Librarianship is IASL-LINK

Objectives

IASL-LINK is for communication between members of the Association throughout the world, and for the distribution of announcements, discussion papers, articles, news, information about projects, and information from IASL conferences and meetings. It supports the aims and objectives of the Association by providing a communications link and a means of disseminating information. It is not intended to replace other activities of the Association, like the IASL newsletter, but rather to add another dimension to the Association's activities and programs.

While the primary focus of IASL-LINK is for communication within the Association, and furthering the objectives of the Association, it may also be used to provide members with information from a range of sources, such as from other listservs in the fields of school librarianship, librarianship, and education.

IASL-LINK has an important function in making activities of the Association, such as the annual conferences, more accessible to members. IASL-LINK can be used to enable members who cannot attend the annual conferences to participate in "virtual conference" activities through the dissemination of papers and summaries and through opportunities for discussion. It can also be used to disseminate information from discussion groups and the decisions of the Annual General Meeting.

Language

English shall be the official language of the listserv. English translations shall be provided for any information given in other languages, unless that information is provided for the particular benefit of members who speak another language.

Format

IASL-LINK is a "closed" listserv, that is, it is one of the benefits of IASL membership. Members of IASL can join IASL-LINK by sending an email message in the prescribed format. They will then be registered on the listserv by the listserv manager. IASL-LINK is an unmoderated listserv, that is, messages can be posted to the listserv by anyone who is a registered member of the listserv, and messages are not checked before they are distributed.

Content and Coverage

Any member of IASL-LINK may post messages to the listserv. Messages may be related to: activities of the Association and its committees; activities of member associations; information about current developments in school librarianship in their own country or elsewhere, conferences, publications, documents; information about Internet resources of interest to school libraries; any other topics that may be of interest to members or information that may help to further the work of the Association; members may also use the listserv as a vehicle for discussion of professional issues or to collect information.

IASL-LINK will carry information from the IASL Board, the office bearers, the Committee Chairs, and any special working groups or committees and the IASL Newsletter and will be used by the editor for announcements and to solicit material for the newsletter.
IASL-LINK will carry advance information about each issue of School Libraries Worldwide and calls for contributions; it will also carry a contents listing (with abstracts) for each issue of the journal as it appears, about each annual conference, and will be used by each conference organizing committee to provide members with updated conference information on a regular basis. IASL-LINK will be used in conjunction with each conference to provide opportunities for participation for members who are unable to attend the conference itself.

Areas of Interest

• highlights and important actions and resolutions of annual conferences of IASL;
• school library developments and significant news about school libraries and librarians around the world;
• international library events of interest to school librarians, teacher-librarians, school library media specialists;
• news on special school library projects, including research projects.
• brief abstracts of selected articles in the periodical literature;
• requests for help, materials, exchange of jobs, and other personal items;
• details of study tours relating to school librarianship;
• travel plans and dates of visits of IASL members to other countries;
• awards and prizes of interest to school librarians, including awards to IASL members and associations;
• reviews of publications relating to school librarianship.

All messages posted to the listserv should carry the name of the sender, and contact information. The opinions and views expressed in listserv messages do not necessarily reflect the view of the International Association of School Librarianship or the IASL-LINK manager.

Reuse of Material Distributed on the Listserv

Any school library association which is a member of IASL may obtain permission from the IASL-LINK manager and the original author to reproduce all or parts of messages or documents in the language of that country in a publication or on a listserv, at no cost to IASL, provided credit is given to IASL in the message or the publication. Authorization to copy messages and documents for personal use is granted by IASL for education/training purposes. Permission to take multiple copies must be obtained from the IASL-LINK manager and the author in advance. Press releases and other promotional material posted to the listserv by IASL Committee Chairs and office bearers may be redistributed to other listservs or reproduced in print form in magazines and newsletters.

Qualifications and Duties of the Listserv Manager

The IASL-LINK manager shall

• be a member of IASL;
• have knowledge and understanding of school librarianship in both developed and developing countries.
• have demonstrated expertise in the management and use of electronic communication, and particularly listservs.
• be capable of taking the initiative to ensure the effective management and use of the listserv, and its future development.
• act to expand contacts in all countries to promote the listserv and its effective use as a communications tool for the Association.
• have the ability to write effectively in English.
• have attributes that will lead to effective and efficient management of the listserv. These attributes include communication skills, ability to deal efficiently and promptly with electronic mail, decision-making skills, and skills related to electronic technology (specifically skills related to using listserv software or systems).

Duties

The IASL-LINK manager may choose associates to work on the management and promotion of the listserv. The IASL-LINK manager shall

• ensure that the listserv is managed in accordance with IASL policies and that it supports the objectives and the work of the Association;
• work with the relevant authorities and computer services personnel in the organisation whose computer hosts the listserv, to ensure the efficient operation of the listserv;
• collaborate closely with IASL office bearers and Board members, the Editors of the IASL newsletter and the journal School Libraries Worldwide, and Committee Chairs, to ensure that information is posted to IASL-LINK on a regular basis;
• establish contact with the organisers of each annual conference of the Association, to ensure that conference information is posted to the listserv regularly, and to ensure that the listserv is used to enable remote members to participate in aspects of the conference via the listserv;
• liaise with the IASL Office to ensure that new members are informed about the listserv, that appropriate information about email addresses is collected, and that membership lists correspond to information held in office files;
• liaise with the IASL office to ensure that people who request to subscribe to the listserv are current IASL members;
• register new members of the listserv, delete members on request;
• promote the listserv through printed publications, conferences, and other listservs and Internet services;
• provide appropriate documentation and information to assist members to use the listserv effectively;
• create any necessary documentation associated with the operation of the listserv, such as welcome messages and operational documentation. In the event of inappropriate, offensive, or illegal messages being posted to the listserv;
• take all necessary steps to ensure that problems are resolved.

Last Updated 15 February 2003 (LAC)