I have submitted a form to Megan, so someone is on the hook for this group, but I will heartily welcome a shared co-convener status with any of the other folks who had previously expressed interest/willingness.
Professor, Assoc. Director of Lib. Pub. Services & Schol. Comm. Librarian, Newton Gresham Library, Sam Houston State University
Original Message:
Sent: May 09, 2024 02:16 PM
From: Megan Griffin
Subject: Research Assessment and Metrics Discussion Group Dissolution
Hi Everyone,
Aleah is no longer at ACRL and I'm stepping in temporarily as the staff liaison to division-level discussion groups.
Thank you all for this dialogue regarding this discussion group and thanks to the three members that have indicated interest in serving as convener/co-convener. I've attached the appointment acceptance form that must be submitted in order to serve in this capacity for the coming leadership cycle, which runs July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025. Completed forms can be returned to my attention at mgriffin@ala.org.
I've also attached the discussion group tipsheet that all new conveners receive. Essentially, here are the main points:
- Conveners must maintain ALA/ACRL membership during their term of service.
- Conveners may serve consecutive terms.
- Discussion groups are required to meet once a year, whether that be virtually or in-person at the ALA Annual Conference.
- The convener is tasked with setting meeting dates, hosting the meeting (or organizing others to host), submitting the agenda/minutes to ACRL, and finding a new convener each year if they are not interesting in continuing to serve as convener.
Discussion group convener/co-convener forms for the coming year are now due so I encourage interested individuals to come forward. Please let me know if there are any questions. The quickest way to reach me is at mgriffin@ala.org.
Thank you!
------------------------------
Megan Griffin
Consultant
American Library Association
Original Message:
Sent: Mar 19, 2024 01:46 PM
From: Laura Mullen
Subject: Research Assessment and Metrics Discussion Group Dissolution
Thanks, Matt and everyone who came forward that would like to consider leading the group. Aleah from ALA is going to get back to the list with more information on steps forward in a week or so, so stay tuned!
Looking forward to future discussions of the group,
Laura
Laura Bowering Mullen (she/her)
Behavioral Sciences Librarian; Open Access Specialist
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Library of Science and Medicine
165 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8009
lbmullen@rutgers.edu
Original Message:
Sent: 3/18/2024 9:59:00 PM
From: Matthew Marsteller
Subject: RE: Research Assessment and Metrics Discussion Group Dissolution
Thank you Laura!
It will be good to see the group active again. I'm also glad to see younger librarians stepping forward. We need their energy! Hopefully we can also include some virtual activity as well - traveling has become difficult at this stage of life.
At our university, we have access to Scopus/Scival, WoS and Dimensions. We also use Symplectic Elements as our RIM and our branded version of Figshare (Kilthub) as a data and document repository. We have four people trying our best to run a service with a small fraction of our time each. We have some other tools like Altmetric Explorer and Scite.ai. It's a real challenge to keep on top of them all.
Matt
------------------------------
Matthew Marsteller
Principal Librarian, Engineering & Science
Carnegie Mellon University
He/Him/His
Original Message:
Sent: Mar 18, 2024 11:10 AM
From: Laura Mullen
Subject: Research Assessment and Metrics Discussion Group Dissolution
There has been a wonderful response to this call for interest in keeping the Research Assessment and Metrics Discussion Group going. Two or three librarians, members of ALA, leading this discussion group would be a wonderful result. I checked back a little on the history of this group. When I was convening it, it was an Interest Group, which has maybe a few more aspects, such as putting on programs at conferences, etc. It had transitioned to a Discussion Group in recent years.
It wrote to Aleah at ALA with questions, but maybe if she could just reply here with procedures for those that would like to express interest in co-leading/convening the discussion group, that would be great. We have at least three librarians interested in possible leadership roles with the discussion group and that would be a great ending to this story, IMO. There is great interest at present in all areas of research impact, societal impact, equity in research assessment, bibliometrics, etc etc and the focus of this discussion group will only grow in importance. Maybe over time, the group can build up to the next level.
Aleah, what are next steps to sign up new leadership? We have interest in positions and in the continuation of the discussion group. Please let us know!
Thanks,
Laura Mullen
Laura Bowering Mullen (she/her)
Behavioral Sciences Librarian; Open Access Specialist
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Library of Science and Medicine
165 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8009
lbmullen@rutgers.edu
Original Message:
Sent: 3/18/2024 11:47:00 AM
From: Norman Lee
Subject: RE: Research Assessment and Metrics Discussion Group Dissolution
Hello all,
I would love to be a part of a discussion group like this. I'm new to librarianship - I started as a research librarian in Dec 2023 - but I'd be happy to help keep the group up and running however I'm able.
All the best,
Norm
------------------------------
Norman Lee
Research, Outreach, and Engagement Librarian
The University of Idaho
He/Him/His
Original Message:
Sent: Mar 11, 2024 02:28 PM
From: Aleah Price
Subject: Research Assessment and Metrics Discussion Group Dissolution
Good morning,
I am writing to inform you that after repeated attempts to contact the past convener to find a new convener for the Research Assessment and Metrics Discussion Group, ACRL staff received no response. The group has not met in over two years. ACRL staff has made three separate attempts to reach the most recent Convener, with no response. Due to the inability to find leadership, and contact the most recent convener, ACRL staff are requesting the group be dissolved.
According to the ACRL Guide to Policies and Procedures, ACRL may request the dissolution of a discussion group if the group fails to appoint a leader and/or meet at the two ALA conferences during the previous year.
ACRL has not received an appointment acceptance form for a leader of the Research Assessment and Metrics Discussion Group and will request that the ACRL Board dissolve the discussion group at the 2024 Annual Conference unless leadership can be confirmed before that time.
Best regards,
Aleah Price, Program Coordinator
------------------------------
Aleah Price
American Library Association
She/Her/Hers
------------------------------