Tips for Selecting IS Administrator Positions

The ACRL Instruction Section (IS) has four administrator positions: Newsletter Editor, Web Site Administrator, Publication Editor, and Social Media Coordinator. All positions are voluntary unpaid appointments. This tip sheet summarizes the appointment terms and selection process for these positions.

Appointment Terms

The appointment term for all administrator positions is for two years, beginning immediately after Annual Conference and terminating after Annual Conference two years later unless otherwise stated. Appointment years are staggered. The Web Site Administrator, Social Media Coordinator positions are appointed on odd numbered years; the Newsletter Editor and Publication Editor are appointed on even numbered years.

Appointees must:

• Be a personal member of ALA.
• Be a personal member of ACRL and IS.
• Be able to fulfill the duties of the position during the term of service.

Appointees may serve no more than two consecutive terms and usually only serve in one IS administrator position at a time. By virtue of their positions, administrator appointees also become members of the IS Communication Committee.

In the case of a resignation, the Communication Committee will solicit volunteers from within the Committee, with the approval of the IS Executive Committee. If no volunteer steps forward, the Section Vice-Chair will post the position with the term ending on the usual cycle (i.e., if one year remains in the service period, then posted position is for one year). In the case that the resignation is effective immediately, the Section Vice-Chair will assign someone from the committee to handle position responsibilities in the interim period.

Selection Process

The Section Vice-Chair leads the selection process for the administrator positions.

The Vice-Chair handles all formal correspondence with applicants including receipt of applications, position offers, and rejection notification. The Vice-Chair also maintains close contact with the IS Executive Committee throughout the appointment process.

Upon conferring with the IS Executive Committee and Chair of the Communication Committee after Annual Conference, the Vice-Chair may choose to extend the incumbents’ service period to a second term, provided that the incumbents have performed well in their positions and that the incumbents wish to continue for another two years.

If an incumbent’s term is not extended, the Vice-Chair advertises the positions, screens applicants and submits a list of candidates to the IS Executive Committee. The process should begin at least two months prior to Midwinter Meeting to allow time to review the current position descriptions, seek approval from the IS Executive Committee if revisions are needed, set the application deadline, and advertise the position. The application deadline for the open positions is typically at least one month from the initial posting date.

Position descriptions for these administrator positions reside on the Instruction Section web site year-round. Open positions are posted on various electronic discussion lists and announcement services of interest to academic librarians such as the ALA Connect.

Applicants are directed to send a letter of interest outlining experience and knowledge applicable to the position, a curriculum vitae or resume, and samples of relevant work to the Section Vice-Chair. After the application deadline, the Vice-Chair distributes applicants’ materials to the Executive Committee to review prior to the Midwinter Meeting. The Executive Committee then selects the appointee from the list of nominees and notifies the Chair of the Communication Committee of its choice.

The Section Vice-Chair offers the positions to the selected applicants, and upon acceptance of the offers, sends out official ACRL appointment forms. Once confirmed, the Vice-Chair sends rejection letters to the other candidates.

Timeline at a Glance