WELCOME - DISCOVER

UNIT/POSITION DETAILS AND EXPECTATIONS

1. Unit name & description:

Technical Services (TSRT)

TSRT: The objectives of this Round Table shall be to provide a framework for information sharing, continuing education and moral support for library workers currently engaged in technical services activities. Specifically, the aims are to provide for the exchange of ideas on technical services and automation processes, systems, and policies; to provide a medium for the exploration of new ideas and technologies; to foster cooperation among all Oregon libraries in the areas of technical services and automation; and to increase an awareness in the library community of the roles of technical and automation services.

 

2. Name of current Unit Lead(s): 2024-2025 Kristynn Johnson

 

3. Name of incoming Unit Lead(s): 2025-2026 Michael Grutchfield

 

Past Chairs Wall of Gratitude:

Emily O'Neal: 2023-2024

Emily O'Neal: 2020-2021

Mary Grenci: 2016-2017

Lillian Curanzy: 2022-2023

Amy Mihelich: 2019-2020

Jean Peick: 2015-2016

kt austin: 2021-2022

Emily O'Neal: 2018-2019

Katie Boyd: 2014-2015

 

Kate Cleland-Sipfle: 2017-2018

Lynne Mildenstein: 2013-2014

 

4. What is the selection process for volunteering for your unit?  

TSRT: Elected positions: interested parties volunteer to be elected following the annual OLA conference to take office before, and organize, the August Steering Committee Meeting. Non-elected volunteer positions: members collaborate to develop meaningful areas of volunteer work to accomplish TSRT objectives.

 

5. How many volunteer positions do you have in your unit?

TSRT: Three elected positions and unlimited positions leading/populating the TSRT standing or ad hoc Committees.

  • Volunteer Elected: TSRT Chair, TSRT Vice Chair, TSRT Secretary.
  • Volunteer Steering Committee Members: Steering Committee members are an unlimited number of folks who would like to join in idea generating and decision making for the Round Table.
  • Volunteer committees: TSRT Conference Session Committee, TSRT Website (MemberClicks / Personify Software) Maintenance Committee, TSRT Scholarship Committee. Other ad hoc committees.

 

6. Responsibilities and time commitment (weekly/monthly/annually) of unit lead(s) and/or elected positions:

TSRT: Lead/Elected Volunteer Positions Responsibilities:

Chair: Attend OLA Executive Board Fall Workshop; Hold August/September Steering Committee Meeting; Hold April Business Meeting; Assure TSRT Financials; Represent on OLA Conference Committee or send proxy; Post about TSRT to various listservs; Compose TSRT annual report to Execs. Optional: Attend OLA Executive Board meetings on behalf of TSRT and other miscellaneous helping.

Vice-Chair: Help Chair and learn responsibilities, potentially to assume Chair position following year.

Secretary: Record, distribute draft for feedback, finalize draft and distribute/post minutes on TSRT site from a minimum of two meetings per year.

Time commitment (General): 0.25 to 2 hours per month. TSRT full meetings are 2-5 hours / 2ce per year.

 

7. Responsibilities and time commitment (weekly/monthly/annually) of unit volunteers:

TSRT: Non-Elected Volunteer Possibilities:

Four long-standing committees:

TSRT Conference Session Committee: Guide TSRT Conference sessions: usually including submission (may help other TSRT folks with their submissions), any non-OLA presenter arrangements and may serve as proxy at OLA Conference Committee meetings.

TSRT Website Maintenance Committee: Update TSRT website several times a year for various reasons.

TSRT Scholarship Committee: Guide TSRT Scholarship process.

TSRT Steering Committee: Participate in two meetings per year and provide thorough detailed feedback, ideas and inspiration throughout the year through various communication methods. Time commitment is preparation time, two meetings, follow up time.

Other Ad Hoc TSRT Committees: Initiate and serve on Ad Hoc TSRT committees.

Time commitment (General): 0.25 to 2 hours per month. TSRT full meetings are 2-5 hours / 2ce per year.

 

8. Busy times of year for this unit:

TSRT: TSRT Elected volunteers, committee volunteers and members are encouraged to pace their work and communicate with their colleagues about capacity. Busy times can be in August/September (steering committee meeting), October (Conference planning, submissions), December (Scholarship), March, April (OLA Conference activities), May/June (elections and committees).

 

9. Slow times of year for this unit:  

TSRT: TSRT Elected volunteers, committee volunteers and members are encouraged to pace their work and communicate with their colleagues about capacity. The slow period is generally right after OLA Conference and before the Steering Committee Meeting in August/Early September.

 

10. Annual expectations of this unit (things that happen every year), and timelines:

TSRT:

  • Steering Committee meeting for conference planning and goals discussion August/September
  • Scholarship Committee announcement, application/analysis and award December/January
  • Conference Committee session submissions and ushering. October-April
  • Steering Committee meeting for Business during OLA annual conference, financial planning April
  • Website Committee communications, updates for newly elected volunteers, scholarship and link resolving (dates vary)

 

11. Is there any other information related to your unit that would be helpful for members/potential members to know?

TSRT: TSRT welcomes members of all interests, education, employment and experience levels focusing on Library Technical Services Acquisitions, Cataloging, Collection Development, Processing and Automation/Systems. TSRT functions “to provide a framework for information sharing, continuing education and moral support for library workers currently engaged in technical services activities.” and encourages actively supporting each other fulfilling objectives. Also, TSRT welcomes ideas from library community members and meeting guests. Welcome. Discover.

 

Back to TSRT home page