2001-2003 Strategic Plan

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Computing Services Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries is:

• To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge concerning computer-related technology among law librarians and
• To serve a leadership role in the ongoing professional development of law librarians as they evaluate, implement, and use computer-related services.

STRATEGIC DIRECTIVE #1: REVITALIZE THE LEADERSHIP AND INVOLVEMENT OF THE CS SIS MEMBERSHIP

Specific Action #1: Establish a formal mentoring system of older and newer members within the section based on type of library, geographic location, areas of interest and expertise.

• Implementation: Assign this task to the CS SIS membership committee to put the plan in place and then assign responsibility for administering this program to one of the members at large. Assign a section liaison to the AALL Mentoring and Retention Committee.
• Anticipated completion: Annual Meeting 2002

Specific Action #2: Conduct an annual survey of the CS SIS membership via the Internet to gauge expectations and needs for future activities of the section.

• Implementation: Assign this task to the CS SIS Strategic Planning Committee.
• Anticipated completion: Annually.

STRATEGIC DIRECTIVE #2: ESTABLISH THE CS SIS AS A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR THE CONTINUING EDUCATION OF THE AALL MEMBERSHIP IN THE AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

Rationale: The knowledge base of the section's membership is vast and relatively untapped. The CS SIS membership surveys indicate that section members are concerned with professional development and list web documentation as the most valuable method of delivery. The SIS listserv/discussion groups are to be used to notify the membership concerning the implementation items below.

Specific Action #1: Create a list of experts within our section who are knowledgeable in various areas of technology and willing to share their expertise with others.

• Implementation: Assign this task to the CS SIS membership committee, chaired by one of the members at large. The experts list may be based upon information gathered from the annual survey.
• Anticipated completion: Created by fall 2001, then ongoing.

Specific Action #2: Develop a library of technology-related documentation or databases at the CS SIS web site (and linked from AALLNET).

Part of this library would include the CS SIS newsletter and articles therein.

• Implementation: Assigned to one of the members at large (as webmaster) along with a publications committee appointed by the executive board.
• Anticipated completion: Ongoing, beginning in the fall of 2001

Specific Action #3: Develop and publish on the SIS website core competencies in technology for law libraries.

• Implementation: Assigned to Core Competencies Committee of the SIS. Assign member of committee to be liaison to the AALL Professional Development Committee.
• Anticipated completion: Ongoing, beginning in the fall of 2001

STRATEGIC DIRECTIVE #3: PROMOTE A GREATER PRESENCE OF THE CS SIS AT AALL's MEETINGS, EVENTS, AND ACTIVITIES

Rationale: Relatively low involvement of section members compared to size of membership such as poor attendance at section meetings and events, lack of response to solicitations for participation, and lack of volunteerism.

Specific Action #1: Same as Specific Action #2 for DIRECTIVE #2.

Specific Action #2: In addition to the business meeting, schedule a second event for the section membership at the AALL annual meeting.

This would be a breakfast event (ideally paid for from section membership dues and perhaps vendor sponsorship) which would include a featured speaker.

• Implementation: Assigned to the chair elect to coordinate.
• Anticipated completion: Annually

Specific Action #3: Schedule a social event, such as a no host dinner, of CS SIS section members at the annual meeting and the meetings of regional chapters of the association.

• Implementation: Assigned to the Chair who, in working with the membership committee, will identify section members to organize these social events.
• Anticipated completion: Ongoing

Specific Action #4: Establish SIS Liaisons to the Annual Meeting Selection Committee, the AALLNET advisory committee, the Academic Law Library SIS, the Private Law Library SIS, and the State, Court and County Law Library SIS.

• Implementation: Assigned to the Vice Chair to Coordinate
• Anticipated completion: Ongoing

Specific Action #5: Submit an Annual SIS Report to AALL Executive Board as an informational item at the appropriate Board Meeting.

• Implementation: SIS Chair
• Anticipated completion: Ongoing

Specific Action #6: Establish a formal system for designing, proposing, and supporting programs, workshops, and demonstrations at annual and regional association meetings.

• Implementation: Assigned to the CS-SIS program committee
• Anticipated completion: Ongoing