Constitution of the Library Research Round Table

Article I: Name

The name of this organization shall be the Library Research Round Table.

Article II: Purposes

The purposes of this organization shall be (1) to contribute toward the extension and improvement of library research; (2) to provide public program opportunities for describing and criticizing library research projects and for disseminating their findings; and (3) to orient and educate American Library Association members concerning research techniques and their usefulness in obtaining information with which to reach administrative decision and solve problems.

Article III: Goals

  1. Promote research that develops theory and paradigms for library and information science.
  2. Explore the value of research in problem solving through the application of theoretical models.
  3. Encourage investigation of research methods used in other disciplines.
  4. Promote rigor in research methods.
  5. Explore the practical applications of research findings to professional practice.

Article IV: Membership

Any person, library, or other organization being a member in good standing of the American Library Association and interested in research in librarianship, may become a member upon payment of the dues provided for in the bylaws.

Article V: Officers

Sec. 1 – The officers of this organization shall be a Chairperson, a Chairperson-elect who shall serve as Vice-Chairperson, a Secretary-Treasurer, and the immediate past Chair, all of whom shall be personal members in good standing of the Library Research Round Table.

Sec. 2 – The term of office for Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons shall be three years; one as Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect, one year as Chair, and one year as Past-Chair. Persons shall be eligible for re-election only after a minimum interval of one year out of office.

Sec. 3 – The term for Secretary-Treasurer shall be two years. Persons shall be eligible for re-election only after a minimum interval of one year out of office.

Article VI: Steering Committee

Sec. 1 – There shall be a Steering Committee consisting of the elected officers and three additional members of the Library Research Round Table elected as members-at-large by the membership and the coordinators of any task forces.

Sec. 2 – The Steering Committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Library Research Round Table in the intervals between membership meetings.

Sec. 3 – Members-at-large of the Steering Committee shall be elected for three-year terms, one members to be elected each year. Members-at-large shall not serve more than one term consecutively.

Article VII: Meetings

Sec. 1 – The annual meeting of the Library Research Round Table shall take place during the Annual Conference of the American Library Association and shall include a report of the Steering Committee to the members on its activities in the interval between membership meetings.

Sec. 2 – The Steering Committee shall meet during the Annual Conference and the Midwinter Meeting of the American Library Association and, upon ten days notice to the members, at other times deemed necessary by the Chairperson.

Sec. 3 – At membership meetings a quorum shall consist of those personal members present.

Sec. 4 – The four officers or a majority of the Steering Committee shall constitute a quorum at meetings of the Steering Committee.

Sec. 5 – Meetings of this organization shall by governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised, in the latest edition.

Article VIII: Committees

Sec. 1 – All committees shall be composed of members in good standing of the Library Research Round Table.

Sec. 2 – Standing committees may be authorized by the Steering Committee for the consideration of matters requiring continuity of attention. Members of standing committees shall be appointed as specified in the By-Laws.

Sec. 3 – Special committees for the performance of a particular assignment may be created and discontinued as specified in the By-Laws.

Article IX: Task Forces

Sec. 1 – Members of LRRT having interests in common which are compatible with the interests of LRRT may form a Task Force upon petition to the LRRT Steering Committee.

Sec. 2 – The petition must state purpose of the Task Force and must be signed by twelve LRRT members in good standing.

Sec. 3 – The Task Force shall be governed by Article V in the By-Laws of LRRT.