Interest Groups

ATLA currently sponsors eleven interest groups. If you have questions about how ATLA interest groups function, see the full text of the Interest Group Handbook available here.

Collection Evaluation and Development

The aim of the Collection Evaluation and Development Interest Group is to provide a forum for discussion of the various themes in collection evaluation and development. Over the years we have explored developing collections for reference services, considered particular collections such as the African-American collections at the Library of Congress, evaluated tools for judging electronic and print resources, entered into discussions on resources for the study of Islam and Judaism, and examined off-site storage facilities and their impact on collection development. We take into consideration format, method, and scope, both narrow and wide. Our purpose is to provide a useful forum for discussion of these issues in the diverse field of religion and theology. We welcome all who have an interest in collection evaluation and development to attend our meetings or e-mail us with suggestions. CEAD also has an electronic discussion list.

Bylaws

Beth Bidlack, Chair
Daniel Kolb, Vice- Chair
Russell Pollard, Secretary
Dennis Swanson, Member at Large

College and University

The College and University Interest Group (CUIG) provides a forum for librarians working in non-seminary environments. All who have an interest in religious studies librarianship, regardless of their work setting, are welcome to attend. CUIG also has an electronic discussion list.

Bylaws

Christina Torbert, Chair
Tracy Powell Iwaskow, Secretary
Saundra Lipton, Michelle Spomer

Cooperative Preservation for Archives and Libraries

The purpose of the Cooperative Preservation for Archives and Libraries Interest Group is to provide education, coordination and communication about resources, standards, policies, procedures and best practices for the preservation of library and archival materials.

Activities of this group may include:

• Creating an accessible directory of denominational repositories for archival materials and last copies of print materials
• Creating guidelines for the transfer of materials between libraries, archives, historical repository sites, and museums
• Suggesting procedures and safeguards to help the transfer process
• Creating a forum of the exchange of ideas regarding preservation for the ATLA membership
• Supporting the ATLA Preservation Office and its mission

Bylaws

Ruth Tonkiss Cameron, Chair
Robert Presutti, Vice-Chair
Christina Geuther, Secretary
Daniel Kolb

Judaica

The primary objective of the Judaica Interest Group is: "to establish within ATLA a forum for discussions and activities related to Judaica cataloging, bibliography, and reference services." In the first few years of its existence, the Judaica group has actively pursued this goal, by sponsoring pre-conference workshops on Judaica Reference, Judaica Cataloging, hosting a talk on relations between Jews and Evangelical Christians, and arranging a tour of the Judah L. Magnes Museum in Berkeley, CA. ATLA members who have a personal or vocational interest in matters relating to Judaica are warmly encouraged to contact one of the Judaica Interest Group's Officers and/or attend one of the group's events at an ATLA Annual Conference.

Bylaws

Alan Krieger, Chair
James Dunkly, Vice-Chair
Suzanne Estelle-Holmer, Secretary

Lesbian and Gay

Bylaws

Gillian McLeod, Chair
Ernest Rubinstein, Vice Chair
Kristine Veldheer, Secretary

Public Services

Nature and Aims of the Public Services Interest Group and Plan of Organization

Suzanne Estelle-Holmer, Chair
Leland Deeds, Vice Chair
Luba Zakharov, Secretary 
Erica Durham, Electronic Information Coordinator

Special Collections

The Special Collections Interest Group promotes the interests of and the sharing of information and experience among librarians and archivists concerned with the acquisition, organization, security, preservation, administration, and use of special collections. Special collections includes rare books, archives and manuscripts, graphic materials, and ephemera.

SCIG has an electronic discussion list.

Bylaws

Lyle Buettner, Chair
Chris Anderson, Vice-Chair
Jennifer Woodruff Tait, Secretary
Grace Yoder, Armin Sidlecki

Teaching and Learning

Bylaws

Liz Leahy, Chair
Paul Tippey, Vice-Chair
Jane Elder, Secretary
Rebecca Miller, Richard Reitsma

Technical Services

The Technical Services Section (TSS) of ATLA exists to help theological librarians who specialize in the areas of acquisitions, serials, and cataloging by providing support through education, cooperative projects, professional resources, and networking. In addition to the opportunities provided at ATLA annual conferences, TSS activities include a quarterly news bulletin (Theology Cataloging Bulletin), an electronic discussion list (ATLATech-L), and a web site. For more information about TSS, please refer to our Introduction and Opportunities for Involvement on the Technical Services Web Site.

Armin Siedlecki, Chair
Lois Guebert, Secretary
Judy Knop, ex-officio
Paul Osmanski, ex-officio
Michael Bradford, Joanna Hause, Tammy Johnson, Alice Runis, Jeff Siemon

World Christianity

Bylaws

Margaret Tarpley, Chair
Stephen Sweeney, Vice-Chair
Tracy N. Powell, Secretary

World Religions

Jared Porter, Chair