ALCTS seeks ALCTS News Editor

For Immediate Release
Mon, 02/06/2017

Contact:

Keri Cascio

Executive Director

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services

kcascio@ala.org

CHICAGO—The Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) invites applications and nominations for the position of Editor of ALCTS News, the association’s official news source. ALCTS News is a digital news website. The editor will be appointed for a renewable three-year term, beginning July 1, 2017 just after the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago. ALCTS News currently contains news from the library community, ALA, financial reports, meeting schedules, honors, awards and news about its members and ALCTS’ activities. The scope of the newsletter will continue to grow and change as strategic direction moves into a more interactive, digital-based environment.

The News Editor is expected to take a leading role in the delivery of news that ALCTS members need to know from the association and the library community beyond. The Editor will have responsibility to set the strategic direction of the News including priorities, content, production, marketing and interaction with the other publishing initiatives of ALCTS. The Editor oversees other News contributors, including editorial assistants. The Editor works closely with the ALCTS Communications Specialist in the ALCTS Office for editing and production. The Editor reports to the ALCTS Board of Directors and submits reports to the Publications Committee and the Board prior to the ALA Midwinter Meeting and ALA Annual Conference.

The Editor serves as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the ALCTS Board of Directors, attends all Board meetings, and participates in all discussions and planning. The Editor serves as an ex-officio member of the ALCTS Publications Committee and the Library Resources & Technical Services (LRTS) Board. The Editor is responsible for informing these groups of issues and developments affecting ALCTS News and soliciting and incorporating suggestions regarding general content. The successful candidate will work closely with the ALCTS Advocacy and Policy Committee, ALCTS publication editors, the Interest Group Coordinator and other ALCTS groups to provide coverage of issues important to ALCTS members and the profession. The Editor works with the ALCTS Executive Director and other ALCTS staff members to ensure full coverage of division activities. The Editor is also responsible for coordinating the submission of reports from committees and interest groups after each ALA conference. The current editorial policy is available on the “About” tab of the ALCTS News website.

This position is a highly visible one and requires experience producing a website, blog or other digital publication, ability to establish strategic direction and future initiatives, demonstrated writing and editing ability, familiarity with the issues in areas of ALCTS interests, ability to meet deadlines, ability to work closely with groups and individuals and experience with the technology and processes required for the production of an online publication. Membership in ALCTS is required, along with attendance at both ALA Annual Conference and Midwinter Meetings. A generous annual stipend is provided to support attendance and conference registration is covered as a member of the press. Desirable qualifications include prior experience on ALCTS committees or interest groups, social networking tools, and social media and experience with a Drupal-based web environment.

The application deadline is Mar. 6, 2017. A letter describing the applicant's interest and qualifications for the Editor position and a current CV or resume should be submitted to Maria Collins, chair of the ALCTS News Editor Search Committee, mdcollin@ncsu.edu. The search committee expects to conduct phone interviews in late March and early April. Only electronic applications will be considered.

The Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) is the national association for information providers who work in collections and technical services, such as acquisitions, cataloging, collection development, preservation and continuing resources in digital and print formats. ALCTS is a division of the American Library Association.