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----------------------------Original message---------------------------- QUERY TO MEMBERSHIP ON THE PROPOSED DISSOLUTION OF THE COMPUTER SECTION The Computer Section has submitted a recommendation to the ARLIS/NA Executive Board proposing that the Section be dissolved. There is currently no moderator for 1998/99. It has become difficult to attract members of the Computer Section to conference business meetings, to submit conference sessions, or to attract new members to lead this group. The section's statement of purpose can be found in the ARLIS/NA Handbook on page xx, and on the ARLIS/NA website (http://www.lib.duke.edu/lilly/arlis/) in the ARLIS/NA Policy Manual (No. E-19). The group was formed in 1984 as a Computer Special Interest Group. According to ARLIS/NA Bylaws (Article XII.B.Section 9), "The Executive Board shall authorize the dissolution of a Section when in the opinion of the Board its usefulness has ceased. Alternatively, the Board may convert the Section to a Round Table if its membership falls below thirty (30) members for three (3) consecutive years. To preempt the Executive Board's need to act on dissolution or change, fifteen (15) individual members of the Section may petition to become a Round Table of the Society in accordance with Section 1 of Article XII.C. The decision and reasons for the dissolution or change shall be reported to the membership. Assets of the Section, if any, shall revert to the Society. The Board discussed the usefulness of the Computer Section and agrees that the group no longer serves its originally intended purpose, as computers are now an integral and pervasive part of our everyday lives and play a prominent role in most libraries or workplaces. Many ARLIS/NA Sections, Divisions, and Round Tables recognize and incorporate computer technology issues in their group discussions and conference sessions. ARLIS/NA currently sponsors two technology-related committees: Technology Relations and Technology Education. The Technology Relations Committee's charge is to represent the interests of the ARLIS/NA membership in technology developments especially in areas relating to visual arts information. The Technology Education Committee supports the membership in obtaining access to and broad knowledge of Internet technology and resources. The full charges for each of these committee's can be found on page xvii of the ARLIS/NA Handbook. Both of these committees are actively involved in ARLIS/NA strategic planning initiatives. The Executive Board solicits comments from the membership. Please share your opinion about this proposed dissolution of the Computer Section with the Executive Board. Please respond either in writing to Kathryn Wayne, Vice-President/President Elect, or to the ARLIS/NA listserv ([log in to unmask]) by July 15, 1998.