Association For Library Collections and Technical Services - History and Organizational Structure

History and Organizational Structure

ALCTS was one of several ALA divisions created in 1957, upon the merger of several ALA units related to technical services. The division was originally known as the Resources and Technical Services Division (RTSD). The original four sections of the division were Acquisitions, Cataloging and Classification, Copying Methods, and Serials. The current name of the division is the result of a 1989 division membership vote.

ALCTS consists of five sections: Acquisitions; Cataloging and Classification; Collection Management and Development; Preservation and Reformatting, and Continuing Resources.

The current Acquisitions (AS) and Collection Management and Development (CMDS) Sections emerged over time from the original AS. The Cataloging and Classification Section (CCS) has the longest history, having begun as a section of ALA in 1900. The Preservation and Reformatting Section (PARS) is a result of a 1994 merger of the Reproduction of Library Materials Section (which started as the Copying Methods Section) and the Preservation of Library Materials Section (which was created in 1980). The Continuing Resources Section (CRS) started as a round table of ALA in 1929, and was renamed in 2007.

The work of these sections, as well as the entire division, is supported through regular committee meetings. ALCTS also makes available to its sections online options for communication and collaboration, including discussion lists, online communities, and wikis.

These sections are joined by the Council of Regional Groups (CRG). The role of CRG is to maintain contact with groups similar to ALCTS that serve specific geographic regions. In addition to maintaining relationships with these groups, CRG also maintains a list of speakers who have made themselves available to CRG affiliates.