History of SEES


The Slavic and East European Studies (SEES) Section began as one of the oldest groups of the Association of College and Research Libraries. Before merging with ESS, SEES represented approximately 200 librarians and specialists involved in Slavic and East European studies. In addition to Russia and the countries of Eastern and Central Europe, the section was concerned with library service related to the study of the Baltic states (Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia), Central Asia and the Caucasus.

SEES came into being in 1963 with the establishment of three committees. In 1990 SEES expanded its focus with the creation of the Committee for the Preservation of Slavic Materials and Special Collections and again in 1998 with the addition of the Electronic Resources Committee. There were three standing committees as SEES merged into ESS: the Access and Preservation Committee, the Slavic Cataloging & Metadata Committee and the Newsletter Editorial Board.

SEES Officers

SEES Committees

  • The Executive Committee directed Section business and coordinated the activities of SEES committees. Also represented the Section at ACRL leadership meetings and reports ACRL business to Section members and to committees.
  • The Access and Preservation Committee coordinated the Section’s focus on electronic resources, and on the preservation and conservation of materials in all formats that are of relevance to Slavic and East European librarianship. Managed the maintenance of the SEES home page.
  • The Slavic Cataloging and Metadata Committee (SCMC) studied and disseminated information about cataloging and classification of Slavic and East European materials in the online environment.
  • The Newsletter Editorial Board published the annual SEES Newsletter.
  • The Nominating Committee nominated candidates to run for SEES leadership positions, name Vice-Chair/Chair Elect and Secretary.
  • The Program Planning Committee planned and evaluated programs that took place during ALA annual conferences.

SEES Conferences

SEES Governance


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