Why CODES?
Active service in CODES has helped many librarians to grow professionally and develop a network of colleagues across the country. Librarians new to the profession as well as veterans, librarians from small public as well as large academic libraries will find in CODES an energetic venue for meeting colleagues with similar interests and for gaining information, inspiration, and guidance in this new era of reference collections and user services.
Committee Appointments
How does one get appointed to a CODES committee and what does it involve? Well, it's as simple as filling out a short online form. With sixteen committees and one discussion group, CODES offers many opportunities for members to become involved in the Section.
In addition, there are opportunities to represent CODES on other ALA committees. In order to serve on a committee, you must be an ALA and RUSA member. The term of service on a committee usually begins immediately after the Annual Conference in the year you are appointed. Most appointments are for two years and are made by the CODES Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect. Committee appointments generally require attendance at Midwinter and Annual Conferences. However, CODES is experimenting with virtual committee appointments as a way to allow those members who are unable to attend Conferences to participate in committee work.
Learn more about the work of CODES committees by clicking on the Committees link on the left side. If you are attending a Conference, feel free to attend committee meetings as a guest.
Contact Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect Michael Levine-Clark to let him know of your interest and willingness to serve on specific committees or if you have related questions. You may also contact the current Chair of the committee that you are interested in. Michael makes appointments immediately following the Midwinter Meeting.
Section Review
Every five years, each section and committee of RUSA undergoes a review. The review, like the re-accreditation process for academic institutions, asks the section or committee to evaluate itself using a list of standard questions to ensure that it is doing what it says it's doing, to encourage it to take stock of its organization and accomplishments as well as its role in the Division, and to help it plan for the future. CODES submitted a report on its 1999-2004 review in May, 2005, to the RUSA Board. The full text of the section review and the individual committee reviews can be found in the links below. Please see the file entitled "Committee Questions" for a list of standard questions answered by each committee. Please be in touch with Michael Levin-Clark, CODES Chair, if you have comments about the review or want to participate in any of the initiatives that will grow out of it. CODES is a strong organization because its members volunteer their time and brainpower to many active committees; you can help maintain that strength by reading the section review and volunteering for the committee or project of your choice.
Related Files
Readers Advisory Committee Review
Collection Development Education Committee Review
Collection Development in Public Libraries Discussion Group Review
Materials Reviewing Committee Review
Reference Sources Committee Review
Reference Publishing Advisory Committee Review
Dual Assignments Discussion Group Review
Collection Evaluation Techniques Committee Review