Library and Information Technology Association
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Guidelines for Selection and Appointment of LITA Members
To Represent LITA at International Meetings
These guidelines are designed to aid the LITA Board of Directors in selecting LITA members to represent
LITA at international meetings and groups. Individual LITA members seeking LITA sponsorship or
wishing to participate at international meetings may also use the Guidelines.
The LITA International Relations Committee (LITA IRC) acts in an advisory capacity to the Board in
recommending approval for appointment. Official representation may be sought for a single international
meeting or for "standing" representation to an international organization. Normally, representatives must
be willing and able to fund their own participation.
1. General Procedures for Appointment of Official Representatives to an International
Organization or Meeting
Initiation of recommendation/request for official representation
The need for representation to a particular meeting or organization may be expressed by the LITA Board
of Directors, the LITA International Relations Committee (LITA IRC), or by an individual LITA
member.
The LITA Board may identify qualified individuals and approve a ranked list of possible representatives
or delegate the responsibility for soliciting names of qualified representatives to the LITA IRC
Identification of LITA Representatives
Once a ranked list of possible representatives is approved, the Board or its designate will approach
individuals in ranked order until agreement to serve is secured. The individual(s) will complete the
"Request for Approval to Represent LITA at an International Meeting" form and will forward it to LITA
Office.
If a LITA member wishes to nominate him/herself as an official representative initiates the
recommendation, the LITA member should complete the "Request for Approval to Represent LITA at an
International Meeting" form and will forward it to LITA Office.
Calendar: With the exception of IFLA, requests for official representation may be forwarded at any time.
They will be considered at each conference, or LITA Executive Committee meeting.
Responsibilities of the LITA IRC for Identifying LITA Representatives
In open session, the LITA IRC will discuss the advisability of LITA representation to suggested meetings
or organizations.
In executive session, the LITA IRC will review individuals' nominations, transmitted through the
"Request for Approval to Represent LITA at an International Meeting" form.
The Chair of the LITA IRC will send an acknowledgement to the sender of each application received.
The Chair of the LITA IRC presents recommendations to the LITA Board of Directors at each conference
as is appropriate.
The LITA Board makes all final decisions regarding official LITA representation and transmits its
decisions to the selectees and, if appropriate, to the ALA International Relations Committee.
2 General Procedures for Funding of Official Representatives to an International Organization or
Meeting
Funding is solely the prerogative of the LITA Board of Directors. The LITA Board will determine both
who will be funded (either partially or fully) for attending the international meetings, and the amount of
the funding. Subject to the availability of funds, it may partially or fully fund the expenses of a LITA
representative to an international meeting. Appointment of a representative to an international meeting
does not necessarily guarantee funding.
An individual may receive funding support for a maximum of one international meeting per ALA/LITA
fiscal year.
3 Responsibilities of LITA Representatives
The representative shall provide a written report to the Executive Director of LITA on appropriate
developments and information from the meeting(s) attended. These reports may appear in appropriate
LITA publications.
4 Special Procedures for IFLA Appointments
As an association member of IFLA, the American Library Association nominates representatives to IFLA
standing committees. The LITA procedures outlined below are used for identifying candidates for LITA
Board endorsement. Once endorsed by the LITA IRC, the names of those supported by the LITA Board
to be official nominees are forwarded to the ALA International Relations Committee.
In turn, the ALA International Relations Committee makes recommendations to the ALA Executive
Board who determines the final nominations to IFLA.
IFLA calls for nominations to standing committees every two years, in the fall of an even numbered year
(e.g., calls for nominations go out in the fall of 2000 for a term beginning in 2001; 2002 for a term
beginning in 2003, etc.). This means that the LITA IRC and the LITA Board must have their nominees
identified and ready to send to the ALA International Relations Committee by the end of the
corresponding even numbered years at the Midwinter conferences.
An IFLA committee member serves for a four-year term. The committee member can then be reappointed
for a second four-year term.
An individual can serve for only two consecutive four-year terms on any one committee.
Criteria for Selection
The representative shall be a member of LITA.
The representative shall be a member of, and active in a LITA group or committee concerned with the
area being represented.
The representative satisfies IFLA requirements for nomination to an IFLA standing committee.
The representative should have a knowledge of at least one working language of IFLA (English is a
working language) and should have reasonable expectation of attending meetings of the standing
committee without cost to IFLA or ALA.
Desired:
Should have been engaged in operations or activities in the area concerned for a substantial period of time
and as appropriate to the assignment, should have had experience with national or international standardsetting activities.
Should be articulate and persuasive.
Should possess demonstrated abilities in leadership and in dealing with people tactfully.
Documentation supporting a candidate for an IFLA Standing Committee
The candidate should provide: a resume and a letter describing why the individual's qualifications make
him/her a good choice for serving on the appropriate committee.
LITA will provide: a letter describing why this person is qualified to serve as a representative.
If selected as a nominee by the ALA Executive Board, the nominee should provide the following as
required by IFLA in addition to the above information.
A statement of the nominee that he/she accepts the nomination;
A statement by the nominee that he/she can fulfill the working language and travel requirements.
IFLA Nominations calendar: Every even year (e.g., 2000, 2002, 2004) When/Action
Midwinter Conference // ALA International Relations Office reports results of elections held at odd year
IFLA meetings
Midwinter Conference // LITA IRC reviews candidates and makes recommendations to LITA Board for
approval.
Spring // LITA Board submits the names of candidates to the ALA International Relations Committee.
Annual Conference // ALA International Relations Committee reviews nominations.
Summer ALA conference // The LITA IRC Chair and the LITA Office will remind all LITA members
that nominations will be sought for the IFLA Standing Committee on Information Technology.
Early Fall // Candidates assemble necessary paperwork and submit it to the staff liaison of the ALA
International Relations Committee
Late Fall // IFLA officially calls for nominations that will be due into IFLA Headquarters in the following
spring.
Late Fall // ALA International Relations Committee presents to ALA Executive Board the list of
candidates ALA will be proposing for IFLA Committees.
IFLA nominations calendar: Every odd year (e.g., 2001, 2003, 2005) following the call for nominations:
When / Action
February // ALA submits the nominations to IFLA Headquarters.
March // IFLA Headquarters notifies ALA of new standing committee members or holds postal ballots for
any IFLA committee having more than 20 people on a standing committee.
April // Elections complete and new members receive orientation materials from IFLA Headquarters.
August // New standing committee members attend IFLA Conference and participate in election of
officers for coming two years.
Forms
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Request for Approval to Represent LITA at an International Meeting