ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE
AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES

ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I.  NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Illinois Association of College and Research Libraries (IACRL).

ARTICLE II.  PURPOSE

The purpose of IACRL shall be: 

(1) To contribute to the professional and career development of all academic library personnel.

(2) To enhance the capabilities of Illinois academic libraries to serve the needs of their users.

(3) To promote and speak for the interests of academic libraries.

(4) To promote study, research and dissemination of information relevant to academic librarianship.

(5) To promote and foster cooperation and communication among the members of IACRL, the academic community, other library organizations, and other associations.

(6) To support and protect intellectual freedom in academic libraries.

(7) To acknowledge and honor the achievements of academic library personnel.

ARTICLE III.  MEMBERSHIP

Any member of the Illinois Library Association (ILA) shall be eligible to become a member of IACRL.

ARTICLE IV.  MEETINGS

Section 1.  Executive Committee Meetings

The Executive Committee shall meet at least four times but no more than six times during each membership year. For matters to be decided by a vote of the Executive Committee, two-thirds of the Executive Committee must be present in order to constitute a quorum. Standing committee chairs may designate a member to represent the committee with voting privileges.

Section 2.   Membership Meetings

 A minimum of one regularly scheduled membership meeting shall be held during each membership year. A quorum shall consist of 25 members.

Section 3.   Schedule of Meetings

Meeting dates shall be announced at least 14 days in advance to members. All meetings shall be open.

ARTICLE V.    VOTING

Voting members shall be those individuals listed on the current IACRL roster. All matters shall be decided by a simple majority.

ARTICLE VI.    OFFICERS

Section 1.   Officers

The officers shall be the President, President Elect, Secretary, and Past President.

Section 2.   Terms of Office

Officers shall serve one-year terms beginning July 1 and ending June 30.

Section 3.   Reelection

Officers shall serve no more than two consecutive terms in the same office, not counting time spent in the office as a result of filling a vacancy occurring between annual elections.

Section 4.   Eligibility for Office

All members of IACRL shall be eligible for election to office. The President and President Elect must also be members of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL).

Section 5.   Nomination of Officers

A three member Nominating Committee, chaired by the Past President, shall be appointed by the Executive Committee. Each person the Nominating Committee wishes to nominate shall be contacted to obtain an acceptance before the slate of nominees is established. A variety of institutions represented on the slate shall be sought. The slate of nominees shall be reported to the membership at least 14 days prior to the annual membership meeting. Nominations shall be accepted from the floor after the report from the Nominating Committee at the annual membership meeting. Nominations from the floor must have the prior consent of the nominee.

Section 6.   Election of Officers

Officers shall be elected at the annual membership meeting by a simple majority of the votes cast by the voting members present. Nominations for all offices shall be completed before any voting begins. Voting shall be repeated for those offices where no candidate receives a majority of the votes until a majority vote for a single candidate shall be obtained.  In repeated voting, the candidate with the fewest votes shall be dropped from the next ballot.

Section 7.   Resignation

An officer may resign by submitting a written resignation to the President. The resignation shall be effective upon acceptance by the Executive Committee.

Section 8.   Vacancies

The President Elect shall assume the office of President in the event of a vacancy. A vacancy in the office of President Elect or Past-President shall be filled by election. A vacancy in the office of Secretary shall be filled by appointment of the President that is approved by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII .   DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1.   President

The President shall be the executive head of the IACRL and, as such, shall be responsible for providing the association with leadership in carrying out its purposes. The President shall serve as chairperson of the Executive Committee and shall preside over Executive Committee and membership meetings, and shall prepare and distribute the agenda for such meetings. The President shall appoint all chairs of standing committees and discussion groups. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all IACRL committees, except the Nominating Committee. The President may represent the association at meetings of ACRL's Chapters Councils or may appoint a member of the Executive Committee to represent them in that capacity. The President shall compile an annual written report on the association's activities and shall send these reports to the ILA/IACRL archives.  The President shall also present the annual report to the members at the annual membership meeting.

Section 2.   President Elect

The President Elect shall serve, in the President's absence, as President pro tem of the IACRL. The President Elect shall serve as the representative to ACRL, including attending meetings of ACRL's Chapters Council or appointing a member of the Executive Committee to represent them in that capacity. The President Elect shall submit written reports to the Executive Committee on meetings of ACRL's Chapters Council, send written reports to the editor of Chapter Topics on IACRL's activities, and fulfill other ACRL related responsibilities. Within 30 days prior to the annual membership meeting, the President Elect shall submit a written report of their activities for the year to the President.

Section 3.   Secretary

The Secretary shall record, prepare, and distribute the minutes of Executive Committee and membership meetings. The Secretary shall be responsible for the regular publication of the IACRL column in the ILA Reporter, The Secretary shall retain copies of all minutes, reports, records, correspondence and other important IACRL documents for the ILA/ACRL archives. Within 30 days prior to the annual membership meeting, the Secretary/Treasurer shall submit a written report of their activities for the year to the President.        

Section 4.  Past President

The Past President will serve as chair of the Nominating Committee. Within 30 days prior to the annual membership meeting, the Past President shall submit a written report of activities for the year to the President.

ARTICLE VIII.   EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1.  Membership

The officers, the chairs of the standing committees, the chairs of the discussion groups, and the liaisons shall constitute the Executive Committee.

Section 2.   Duties

The Executive Committee shall manage the affairs of the association.  The Executive Committee shall receive and discuss ideas, develop recommendations to present to the assembly, plan the schedule of meetings, and perform other duties as needed.

ARTICLE IX.   STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1.   Standing Committees

The following committees shall be standing committees: Awards Committee, Continuing Education Committee, Membership Committee, Publications Committee.

Section 2.    Membership

Academic library personnel who are members of standing committees must belong to IACRL.

Section 3.   Appointment

Within 30 days of taking office, the President shall appoint the chairs of all standing committees. The President shall notify the membership of the standing committees and shall solicit committee volunteers from the membership. Within 30 days of their appointment, the standing committee chairs shall appoint their committee members and report those members' names to the President.

Section 4.   Terms of Appointment

All chairs and members of standing committees shall be appointed for one-year terms. Chairs-elect may also be appointed for one-year terms to facilitate the activities of a committee. 

Section 5.    Committee Reports

Within 30 days prior to the annual membership meeting, the chair of each standing committee shall submit a written report of their committee's activities for the year to the President.

Section 6.    Awards Committee

The committee shall be responsible for the award of Academic Librarian of the Year and for any other awards the association deems appropriate.

Section 7.    Continuing Education Committee

The committee shall provide workshops, conferences, symposium, classes and other educational experiences for members.

Section 8.   Membership Committee

The committee shall actively recruit and promote membership in ILA and ACRL, send letters of welcome to all new IACRL members, keep in contact with current IACRL members regarding their concerns and interests, and follow-up on all IACRL members who have left the association.

Section 9.    Publications Committee

The committee shall publish a newsletter at least twice a year (during the Fall and Spring). The newsletter may be distributed either in print or electronically, at the recommendation of the Executive Committee. The committee shall be

responsible for the maintenance of the IACRL web site.

ARTICLE X.   AD HOC COMMITTEES

Ad Hoc committees may be appointed by the President as need arises, with approval of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE XI.   DISCUSSION GROUPS

Section 1.   Discussion Groups

Members may initiate discussion groups by submitting a petition with ten members' names to the President, who, in turn, shall bring the request to the Executive Committee for approval. Discussion groups may include, but are not limited to such areas as acquisitions, bibliographic instruction, circulation, and distance learning. Discussion groups shall have the opportunity to hold a meeting during the ILA conference. Discussion groups shall exist as long as they meet members' needs.

Section 2.   Membership

Discussion groups are open.

Section 3.    Appointment

The President shall appoint the chairs of all discussion groups. The chair of each discussion group will report to the President the individuals who have participated in the discussion group.

Section 4.   Discussion Group Reports

Within 30 days prior to the annual membership meeting, the chair of each discussion group shall submit a written report on the discussion group's activities for the year with the President.

ARTICLE XII.    LIAISONS

Section 1.   Liaisons

The following shall be standing liaison appointments: Continuing Education Committee Chair -- ILA Conference Planning Committee; Membership Committee Chair -- ILA Membership Committee. 

Section 2.   Other liaisons shall be appointed by the President as necessary to the operation of the organization. These appointments shall be subject to review by the Executive Committee.

Section 3:   Terms of Appointment

All liaisons shall be appointed for one-year terms.                                                          

Section 4:    Liaison Reports

Liaisons shall report regularly at Executive Committee meetings. Within 30 days of the annual membership meeting, liaisons shall submit a written report on their activities for the year to the President.

ARTICLE XIII.   CHAPTER/GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE

Section 1        

The President shall appoint a representative to serve as ACRL Chapter/

Government Relations Representative.

Section 2        

Subject to review by the Executive Committee, the appointment shall be ongoing, with confirmation annually by both the representative and the President.

Section 3        

The representative shall serve as the IACRL liaison to the ILA Public Policy Committee.

Section 4        

The representative shall report regularly at Executive Committee meetings.  Within 30 days of the annual membership meeting, the representative shall submit a written report on activities for the year to the President.

ARTICLE XIV.   AMENDMENTS

Section 1.    Amendments

Any bylaw may be amended, revoked, or suspended by a simple majority of the votes cast by the voting members present at the annual membership meeting.

Section 2.    Amendment Reports

Notice of proposed bylaws changes shall be announced to members no less that 14 days before voting shall take place.

ARTICLE XV RATIFICATION

These bylaws shall take effect upon ratification by a simple majority of the votes cast by the voting membership present at the annual membership meeting.

Approved by the membership October 27, 1997

Amended October 17, 2000, April 1, 2004