Library and Information Technology Association: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Division of the American Library Association}}

{{primary sources|date=April 2017}}

<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:LITA logo.gif|right|framed|LITA Logo]] -->

The '''Library and Information Technology Association''' ('''LITA''') iswas a division of the [[American Library Association|American Library Association]] (ALA)]], whichfocusing ison the oldestintersections and largestof [[libraryLibrary|libraries]] associationand in[[information the worldtechnology]].<ref>American Library Association, [http://www.ala.org], "American Library Association", 2014</ref> Founded in 1966 and headquartered in [[Chicago]],<ref>American Library Association, [http://www.ala.org/lita/about], "About LITA", 2014</ref> LITA was dissolved in 2020 amid declining membership and persistent budget deficits. LITA merged into a new ALA division, [[American Library Association#Divisions|Core]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2020-07-01|title=ALA Council approves Core; dissolves ALCTS, LITA and LLAMA|url=http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2020/07/ala-council-approves-core-dissolves-alcts-lita-and-llama|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-21|website=American Library Association News and Press Center|language=en}}</ref>

LITA became a division of ALA in 1966 in response to the changing technological environment in libraries. LITA advocates for equitable access to information and technology, placing a focus on providing an environment that fosters investigation and enables the implementation of new technology within libraries. LITA is headquartered in the [[Chicago]] ALA offices.<ref>American Library Association, [http://www.ala.org/lita/about], "About LITA", 2014</ref> Jenny Levine has held the position of LITA Executive Director since 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title = ALA appoints Jenny Levine next LITA Executive Director|url = http://litablog.org/2015/06/ala-appoints-jenny-levine-next-lita-executive-director/|website = LITA Blog|access-date = 2016-01-17|language = en-US}}</ref>

LITA celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2016.

== Name ==

During the division’sdivision's initial stages of development in 1966, it was pressed by the ALA’sALA's [[Reference and User Services Association]] that the name should include the words "[[Information Science]]",<ref>Salmon, Stephen R., [http://www.ala.org/lita/about/history/1st25years], "LITA's First Twenty-Five Years: A Brief History", 2014</ref> and as a result of this and a report made by a Committee of Organization, the '''Information Science and Automation Division (ISAD)''' of the ALA came into existence. The name was later changed by the [[bylaws]] committee to the Library and [[Information Technology]] Association (or LITA, as it is more commonly known) in 1978 due to the expansion of the division’sdivision's scope in the twelve years that it had been operational.

== History ==

In the early 1960s, the idea of libraries utilizing computers came into existence at the [[United States National Library of Medicine|National Library of Medicine]] with the [[MEDLINE|MEDLARS]] project, which was a pioneer project that came about in 1961 for serials control. From this point, library technology began to trend within the library community, and the ALA started to participate in the technology world, bringing about innovation in library technology by the year 1964.

On January 27, 1966, it was proposed by the [[ALA Committee on Organization]] proposed that a new division of the ALA be created to grow with and endorse these new developments in library technology. A formal recommendation of the division’sdivision's creation was constructed by the Committee on Organization and was then taken to the ALA Council, who approved the division’sdivision's establishment, birthing the Information Science and Automation Division, which would later be renamed the Library and Information Technology Association. The division was officially established in New York at the 1966 ALA Annual Conference. The first elections for the Board of Directors occurred on July 1, 1967, where Stephen R. Salmon was elected as the first president of the division.

During the first two to three decades of the division’sdivision's life, it experienced a complex organizational shift as it was rapidly evolving and expanding, resulting in its change of name to the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA). The expansion of LITA during this time also brought about the growth of interest groups and the inclusion of new programs like "The Distinguished Lecture Series" and "LITA Scholarships". Following the initial strain of the division's developing years, LITA began to see financial light by the 1990s, and by 1993, the roster had grown to 5,802 members and was considered a reputable, well organized, and efficiently run division of the ALA.<ref>Salmon, Stephen R., [http://www.ala.org/lita/about/history/1st25years], "LITA's First Twenty-Five Years: A Brief History", 2014</ref>

==Board of directors==

LITA iswas managed by an elected Board of Directors. Positions on the board includeincluded president, vice-president, immediate past-president, ALA councilor, and seven other directors. In addition to the board, there iswas an executive committee, which iswas controlled by the Board of Directors and actsacted foron its itbehalf between regular board meetings.<ref>American Library Association, [http://www.ala.org/lita/about/board], "Board of Directors", 2014</ref>

=== Past Presidents ===

The following is a list of past LITA presidents:<ref>American Library Association, [http://www.ala.org/lita/about/history/presidents], "LITA Presidents", 2014</ref>

* Weinraub Lajoie, Evviva 2020

* Morton-Owens, Emily 2019 - 2020

* Kim, Bohyun 2018-2019

* Yelton, Andromeda 2017-2018

* Fifarek, Aimee 2016-2017

* Dowling, Thomas P. 2015-2016

* Vacek, Rachel 2014-2015

* Blyberg, Cindi Trainor 2013-2014

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* [[Jesse H. Shera|Shera, Jesse H.]] 1971-1972

* DeGennaro, Richard 1970-1971

* [[Robert M. Hayes (information scientist)|Hayes, Robert M.]] 1969-1970

* Shank, Russell 1968-1969

* Becker, Joseph 1967-1968

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=== Bylaws ===

The bylaws of LITA were adopted in 1966 by the Board of Directors and have had sixteen revisions since their implementation, the latest in 2013. They includeincluded bylaw information for LITA’sLITA's name, object, membership, officers, terms of office, duties, board of directors, meetings, committees and representatives, interest groups, nominations and elections, amendments of bylaws, publications, notice by mail, and parliamentary authority.

In March 2014, LITA’sLITA's Board of Directors began a new analysis of its bylaws, and planplanned to do a comprehensive review of each of the bylaws, starting with those that are deemed to need the most immediate attention and gradually assessing each from that point onward.<ref>American Library Association, [http://www.ala.org/lita/about/bylaws], "Bylaws", 2014</ref>

== Conferences ==

Since LITA’sLITA's birth, participating in both ALA and independent annual conferences has played a major part in promoting LITA’sLITA's mission, which iswas to provide forums for individuals in the library community to converge and collaborate on subjects related to technological change in libraries. Typically with sponsored participation, LITA has beenwas involved in several conferences since the 1960s such as '''COLA''', the '''LITA Forum''', the annual '''ALA Midwinter Meeting''', and the '''ALA Annual Conference''', and has previously participated in conferences like the '''"Airlie Conference"''' in 1970 as well as a conference titled '''"Directions in Education for Information Science: A Symposium for Educators"''' in 1971.

=== COLA ===

In April 1964, representatives from libraries gathered in Illinois for the ALA’sALA's '''Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing (COLA)''', a conference where like-minded individuals had the opportunity to connect on this emerging field of library technology and express their enthusiasm for its possibilities for libraries globally when there was no way for them to converge otherwise during these formative years. The enthusiasm of those who participated in COLA and the positive results derived from this hub of eagerness for technological change within libraries is the enthusiasm that is encouraged and fostered within LITA’s present-day conference participation so as to produce new and innovative results in the field of library technology.<ref>Salmon, Stephen R., [http://www.ala.org/lita/about/history/1st25years], "LITA's First Twenty-Five Years: A Brief History", 2014</ref>

=== LITA Forum ===

First held in 1998, the '''LITA National Forum''' has becomebecame a highly regarded annual event for those whose work involves new and leading technologies in the library and information technology field. The conference places value invalued opportunities for attendees to expand their knowledge base in the technological field by seeing presentations and participating in workshops.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}

=== ALA Conferences ===

LITA also participatesparticipated in the '''ALA Midwinter Meeting'''<ref>American Library Association, [http://alamw15.ala.org/resources-for-first-timers], "Resources for First-Timers", 2014</ref> by offering workshops that containcontained more specified information about library technology as well as a LITA Open House, a chance for attendees of the conference to learn about LITA’sLITA's yearly operations and developments and their strategic plans for the future.

In addition to the ALA Midwinter Meeting, LITA iswas also involved with the '''ALA Annual Conference''',<ref>American Library Association, [http://ala14.ala.org/why-youll-be-more-valuable], "Why You'll Be More Valuable", 2014</ref> which provides a place for individuals in the library community to bring innovative ideas, strategies, and techniques back to their workplace. LITA contributes to the ALA National Conference by providing pre-conference workshops, a LITA Open House, and other special presentations involving library technology.

== Committees ==

The LITA Committees were created by the Board of Directors in order to manage specific concerns within LITA’sLITA's broad encompassment of issues. The committees arewere made up of a minimum of three appointed LITA members, with the opportunity for interns to be appointed for one-year terms. There iswas also one board member who serves as a liaison to a committee so as to guarantee open communication between a respective committee and the Board of Directors.<ref>American Library Association, [http://www.ala.org/lita/about/committees], "Committees", 2014</ref>

'''List of currentlyLITA committees active LITAas committeesof 2014:'''

* Assessment and Research Committee

* Bylaws and Organizations Committee

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== Members ==

The members of LITA are described aswere "information technology professionals dedicated to educating, serving, and reach out to the entire library and information community." LITA intendssought to provide its members with "a forum for discussion, an environment for learning, and a program for actions on the design, development, and implementation of automated and technological systems in the [[library and information science]] field".<ref>American Library Association, [http://www.ala.org/lita/membership], "Membership", 2014</ref>

=== Interest Groups ===

Open to all members, LITA currently hashad nineteen [[Special interest group|interest group]]s, open to all members. TheyInterest groups arewere a way for members to become involved in LITA’sLITA's regular operations and learn about emerging trends or issues in library technology. ItThey helpshelped to shape future LITA programs, education initiative and publications.<ref>American Library Association, [http://www.ala.org/lita/about/igs], "Interest Groups", 2014</ref>

Active Interest Groups active as of 2014:

* [[Accessibility]]

* [[Authority Control]] (LITA/[[Association for Library Collections and Technical Services|ALCTS]])

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== Publications ==

Publications by LITA includeincluded the ''LITA Guides'' book series<ref>{{cite web|title=WorldCat search on LITA Guides series|url=http://www.worldcat.org/search?qt=hotseries&q=se%3A%22LITA+guides.%22|accessdate=13 April 2015}}</ref> and published conference [[proceedings]]. A complete list can be found on the [[American Library Association]] web site <ref>American Library Association, [http://www.alastore.ala.org/SearchResult.aspx?KeyWords=lita], "ALA Store Search results: LITA", 2012</ref> and in [[WorldCat]] by searching onfor Library and Information Technology Association as an author.<ref>{{cite web|title=WorldCat search on Library and Information Technology Association by author|url=http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=au%3ALibrary+and+Information+Technology+Association|accessdate=22 December 2014}}</ref>

[http://ejournals.bc.edu/ojs/index.php/ital ''Information Technology and Libraries''] (ITAL) iswas the refereed journal published quarterly by LITA. ITAL content includesincluded feature articles, communications, tutorials and reviews related to all aspects of libraries and information technology.

LITA also keeps and regularly updatesmaintained the [http://litablog.org/ LITA Blog], which containscontained announcements about LITA programming as well as original contributions by LITA members about technologies and trends.<ref>[http://litablog.org], "LITA Blog", 2015</ref>

==References==

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*[http://ejournals.bc.edu/ojs/index.php/ital/index/ ITAL]

*[http://www.ala.org/ American Library Association]

{{Authority control}}

*[http://alamw15.ala.org/resources-for-first-timers/ Midwinter Meeting]

*[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZXcO5G2AXL170bNWZEJWevElzUlLuowblL5JRtLWjKU/pubhtml/ LITA Interest Group Renewals]

*[http://connect.ala.org/node/140498/ Guiding Principles]

*[http://ala14.ala.org/why-youll-be-more-valuable/ ALA Annual Conference]

[[Category:LibraryOrganizations associationsestablished in 1966]]

[[Category:1966 establishments in New York (state)]]

[[Category:Library associations in the United States]]

[[Category:Library associations based in Chicago]]