RUSA’s Emerging Technology Section (ETS) is transforming to better serve our members. You know us for fantastic discussion groups about hot topics and engaging programs about leadership, systems, and user experience. Now ETS is bringing a revitalized structure and slate of committees together to focus on what we love: equipping public-service librarians to implement tech-savvy solutions that work for all kinds of libraries and users.
The ETS membership just voted to give our leadership team more flexibility for the future, but we’re not stopping there. Our new direction will provide more online discussion opportunities, more high-quality professional development, new tools and resources for tech projects, and new opportunities to promote the successful projects you’re already doing! Here is our new slate of committees:
BETA Committee
The Best Emerging Technology committee will identify and promote libraries and programs that creatively and effectively integrate emerging technology into library public services. These superlatives will be recognized online and may have additional opportunities to be featured and awarded – details are in development now!
Tech Showcase Committee
ETS is known for our hands-on programs, so we’re kicking it up a notch. The Tech Showcase committee will develop, implement, and evaluate a hands-on showcase of emerging technologies and best-in-class technology implementations at ALA Annual each year.
Hot Topics Committee
Hot Topics is a signature discussion group for ETS, and this team will continue to facilitate high-quality discussions about all aspects of new public services technology, addressing everything from trends and policies to ethics and assessment.
Our topical committees will take deep-dives into specific public-services technology issues. They’re tasked with fostering discussion, generating learning opportunities, and building tools and resources that will empower librarians to succeed in these areas:
- Managing Emerging Technology Committee: From funding and implementation to training, management, and assessment
- Discovery Committee: Whatever it takes to find and access resources
- User Experience Committee: Designing solutions that bridge the gap between tech and people
ETS will also maintain a few committees to keep things running smoothly: the Executive Committee, the Awards Committee and the Nominating Committee.
Are you ready to get involved in the new ETS? We’re appointing committees now for the 2018-2019 program year. Committees are appointed in the spring for the following program year (July-June), and any RUSA/ETS member in good standing is welcome to volunteer. Start by logging into the RUSA volunteer form here (http://www.ala.org/rusa/members/volunteer). After login, select RUSA, fill out the form, and choose RUSA ETS at the bottom. Select your preferred committee, and choose “submit”.
Check out the ETS Wiki for more details about each committee, and access the RUSA volunteer form here.
Questions? Contact Lily Todorinova (lily.todorinova@rutgers.edu), ETS Vice-chair.
