New member opportunities as Emerging Technologies Section grows

CHICAGO—The Reference and User Services Association’s (RUSA) Emerging Technology Section (ETS) is transforming to better serve their members. Known 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 equipping public-service librarians to implement tech-savvy solutions that work for all kinds of libraries and users.

“I enthusiastically support RUSA’s sections in repositioning themselves for a future of continued success within the division. I look forward to their new initiatives and even more so, the lasting impact it will have on the profession,” shared RUSA President Chris LeBeau.

The ETS membership just voted to give our leadership team more flexibility for the future, but they’re not stopping there. This 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 ETS members are already doing. New committees include:

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
 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.

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 is 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 maybe directed to Lily Todorinova (lily.todorinova@rutgers.edu), ETS Vice-chair.

The Reference and User Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, represents librarians and library staff in the fields of reference, specialized reference, collection development, readers’ advisory and resource sharing. RUSA is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who make the connections between people and the information sources, services, and collection materials they need. Learn more about the association at www.rusaupdate.org.