THE INSTITUTE OF
INFORMATION SCIENTISTS
THE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION REVISED PROPOSALS
FOR A NEW ORGANISATION FOR THE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION PROFESSION:
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
Both the IIS and the
LA have established Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to cater for the many specialisms
within our profession. LA SIGs are fully integrated into the parent body whereas
constitutionally IIS SIGs - which have (and had before affiliating to the Institute) an
independent existence as separate organisations - enjoy a different relationship to their
parent body. In addition, the LA has an "Organisations in Liaison" scheme
(OiLs), whereby groups of library and information specialists or organisations can enter
into a relatively informal relationship to mutual benefit.
A list of the existing SIGs of both the IIS and the LA
appears in Appendix B. A list of OiLs also
appears in that Appendix.
It is proposed, building on the experience of both the Institute and the Association to
establish the facility whereby two forms of special interest groups can flourish:
- Groups (SIGs)
- Organisations in Liaison (OiLs)
SIGs
Special Interest Groups would be fully integrated in the new organisation. Members would
be entitled to join up to 2 such groups without addition to their membership subscription.
They could also join any number of additional groups on payment of a small additional
annual charge. SIGs would receive an annual capitation payment from the centre to help pay
their basic running costs. They could in addition raise their own income by running
appropriate events, etc., which they could use in order to further their objectives. They
could enrol people not entitled to professional membership of the parent organisation.
For SIGs, integrated with the parent body (a requirement of
the Privy Council, which grants the Royal Charter) this would only be possible in
circumstances where new applicants could demonstrate both bona fide interest in the
activity of the SIG, and their non-eligibility for membership of the parent body. Such
members would have limited rights in relation to the governance of the SIG.
OiLs
Although
having similar objectives to SIGs, OiLs would have a much looser relationship with the
organisation. They would normally need to have 20% of their members in membership of the
new organisation. However, it is envisaged that the new organisation will wish to consider
each case individually and that specific exceptions to this guiding principle on the
proportion of members belonging to the parent body might be made if appropriate.
There would be exchange of documentation between the organisation and each OiL. OiLs would
have access at preferential rates to the headquarters building, for advertising in the
organisation’s journal and the right to apply for small grants in aid of their
objectives. It is envisaged that existing Organisations in Liaison will probably wish to apply for OiL status in the new organisation. It is possible that one
or more IIS SIGs may find OiL status more appropriate than SIG status if a high proportion
of their members are not eligible for any category of membership of the parent body.
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