With members from all types of libraries, whose functions range from network and system administrators, lab supervisors, and webmasters to department heads and library directors, the Computing Services Special Interest Section serves the fastest-growing sector within law librarianship. Above all, Computing Services SIS members are law librarians dedicated to serving all the information needs of their library users with the aid of computing technologies.
CS SIS has a long history of leadership and innovation in the study and implementation of technology in law libraries. The Computing Services Special Interest Section began in 1972 as a Special AALL Committee on Automation and Scientific Development. At the 1976 AALL Annual Meeting in Boston, the Committee petitioned the Executive Board for special interest section status. The Executive Board approved creation of the SIS at its December 1976 meeting in Houston. The ASD/SIS was officially created at the Toronto meeting in 1977, when the existing Committee voted to dissolve itself in favor of the new SIS. At the 1996 AALL Annual Meeting, the Section changed its name to the Computing Services SIS to reflect its evolution from a group of cutting-edge librarians interested in exploring the uses of technology to an essential part of all law libraries.
The mission of CS SIS has evolved in response to the increasing integration of computing in law libraries. Initially created to serve as a watchdog to the automation industry as it relates to law libraries, the SIS later focused on surveying the development of software designed for law libraries and conveying information on automation developments to law librarians. In recent years the opportunities and challenges of automation have had enormous impact on the field of legal information. Today the purposes of CS SIS are to promote the communication of ideas, interests and activities concerning technological advances in law librarianship and the practice of law, and to meet the professional needs of all law librarians active in integrating computing technology to serve their users. With over 700 members, the Computing Services SIS is currently one of the largest Sections of AALL.
CS SIS is governed by an Executive Commmittee consisting of four elected officers: the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson, the Secretary/Treasurer, and the Immediate Past Chair. Elections for officers are held annually. The Chair appoints special committees as needed.
Annual business meetings of the CS SIS are held during the Annual Meeting of the American Association of Law Libraries. Informal meetings of CS SIS members may be held on other occasions, such as the annual CALI Conference for Law School Computing or SLA (Special Library Association) conferences.
The ASD SIS has published a newsletter, Automatome, since 1980. Although frequency has varied, the goal has been to publish quarterly. In addition, the Section maintains an email discussion list, CSSIS-L@aall.wuacc.edu (to subscribe, send the command "subscribe cssis-l Firstname Lastname" to listproc@aall.wuacc.edu). The CS SIS Web site is http://www.usc.edu/dept/law/cs-sis.html
The Computing Services Special Interest Section sponsors several programs at each Annual Meeting of the Association. Topics cover a wide variety of subjects, from the human aspects of automation to the newest hardware and software and their uses. Recent topics include networking, document imaging systems, interactive multimedia, distance learning, and the Internet, as well as professional development topics such as the changing roles and career paths of librarians in computing services.
The CS SIS is one of the largest AALL Special Interest Sections, with more than 640 members. Our members come from all types of law libraries and all functions of librarianship, and include all levels of experience from newer law librarians to law library directors. To join, check the appropriate box on your annual membership form. Dues are $12.00 per year.
Last revised August 12, 1998.
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