| Systematik: | ID-Archiv EATC id-e-28 id-e-701 |
| | Status: | Changed | | Checked: | 03-03-02 04:33:38 PM |
| | Adresse: | American Society for Information Science and Technology 1320 Fenwick Lane, Suite 510, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, USA Tel. 301-495-0900, Fax: 301-495-0810 | E-mail: asis@asis.org |
| | Selbstdarstellung: | | About ASIST Since 1937, the American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIST) has been the society for information professionals leading the search for new and better theories, techniques, and technologies to improve access to information. ASIST brings together diverse streams of knowledge, focusing what might be disparate approaches into novel solutions to common problems. ASIST bridges the gaps not only between disciplines but also between the research that drives and the practices that sustain new developments. ASIST counts among its membership some 4,000 information specialists from such fields as computer science, linguistics, management, librarianship, engineering, law, medicine, chemistry, and education; individuals who share a common interest in improving the ways society stores, retrieves, analyzes, manages, archives and disseminates information, coming together for mutual benefit. Techniques and technologies emerge daily in the fields of library and information science, communications, networking and computer science. Yet information professionals in one discipline often are isolated from the key developments in others. What an irony that a field advocating the development, sharing and use of information is itself isolated. If you don't like working in isolation, examine what ASIST has to offer. This Web site will introduce you to ASIST and the ways it can make you a more effective information professional... and more indispensable to your company, institution or organization. ASIST and Its Members The Society The American Society for Information Science and Technology, ASIST, is an association of information professionals leading the search for new and better theories, techniques, and technologies to improve access to information. Among its membership are some 4,000 information specialists from such fields as computer science, linguistics, management, psychology, librarianship, engineering, law, medicine, chemistry, and education; individuals who share a common interest in improving the ways society stores, retrieves, analyzes, manages, archives and disseminates information, coming together for mutual benefit. The Society is a nonprofit 501(c)3 professional association organized for scientific, literary, and educational purposes and dedicated to the creation, organization, dissemination and application of knowledge concerning information and its transfer. The Society provides education and conference programs, highly-regarded publications and journals, and other professional services for information systems developers, on-line professionals, information resource managers, librarians, record managers, and others who bridge the gaps between research and application, and between developer and user. Mission The mission of the American Society for Information Science and Technology is to advance the information sciences and related applications of information technology by providing focus, opportunity, and support to information professionals and organizations. Vision The vision of ASIST is to establish a new information professionalism in a world where information is of central importance to personal, social, political and economic progress by Advancing knowledge about information, its creation, properties, and use. Providing analysis of ideas, practices, and technologies. Valuing theory, research, applications, and service. Nurturing new perspectives, interests, and ideas. Increasing public awareness of the information sciences and technologies and their benefits to society. History 1937- Beginnings in Documentation ASIST was founded on March 13, 1937, as the American Documentation Institute (ADI), a service organization made up of individuals nominated by and representing affiliated scientific and professional societies, foundations and government agencies. Its initial interest was in the development of microfilm as an aid to learning. ADI compiled an impressive record of achievement in its early years: development of microfilm readers, cameras and services; fostering negotiations and research which resulted in the so-called "gentleman's agreement" covering the photo duplication of copyrighted materials; establishment of programs for the storage and reproduction of auxiliary publications in support of journal editors; operation of an Oriental scientific literature service during World War II; support of Interlingua, an early rival of Esperanto, to foster international science communications; and co-sponsoring of the 1958 International Conference on Scientific Information. 1950s - Transition to Modern Information Science As the number of people engaged in developing new principles and techniques in the many areas of documentation and information services increased, the Bylaws were amended in 1952 to admit individual as well as institutional members. Thus, ADI became the national professional society for those concerned with all elements and problems of information science. With the 1950s came increasing awareness of the potential of automatic devices for literature searching and information storage and retrieval. As these concepts grew in magnitude and potential, so did the variety of professional interests. 1960s - The Information Explosion During the 1960s, membership increased sevenfold as the problems created by the "'93 information explosion" became of national concern. Reflecting this change in its total range of activities, as well as the emergence of information science as an identifiable configuration of disciplines, the membership voted to change the name of the American Documentation Institute to the American Society for Information Science. The name change took effect January 1, 1968, and emphasized the fact that the membership of ASIS is uniquely concerned with all aspects of the information transfer process, a national professional organization for those concerned with designing, managing, and using information systems and technology. 1970s - The Move to Online Information The move from batch processing to online modes, from main-frame to mini and micro computers accelerated in the 1970s. Traditional boundaries among disciplines began to fade and library schools added "information" to their titles. ASIS stopped administering the ERIC Clearinghouse on Library and Information Services, made the Mid-Year Meeting an annual event focusing on a single topic of current interest, sponsored a bicentennial conference (1976) on the role of information in the country's development, was an active participant in the planning and implementation of the White House Conference on Library and Information Services, and the Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science appeared and became a mainstay membership publication of the Society. 1980s - Personal Computers Change the Market By the 1980s large databases, such as Grateful Med at the National Library of Medicine, and useroriented services, such as Dialog and Compuserve, were for the first time accessible by individuals from their personal computers. ASIS added to and revised its Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to respond to the changes, establishing groups on office information systems and personal computers as well as international information issues and rural information services. By the end of the decade, SIGs were available involving non-print media, social sciences, energy and the environment, and community information systems and ASIS had its first non-North American Chapters. ASIST Today As information and communication technology applications proliferate and encroach ever more on the daily lives of nearly all in the developed world, ASIS members are at the forefront in examining the technical bases, social consequences, and theoretical understanding of online databases, widespread use of databases in government, industry, and education, and the development of the Internet and World Wide Web. In 2000 the Society changed its name to American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIST), reflecting the range of its members. Purpose The Society seeks to stimulate participation and interaction among its members by affording them an environment for substantive professional exchange. It encourages and supports personal and professional growth through opportunities for members to extend their knowledge and skills, develop and use professional networks, pursue career development goals and assume leadership roles in the Society and in the information community. ASIST increases the influence of information professionals among decision-makers by focusing attention on the importance of information as a vital resource in a high-technology age and promotes informed policy on national and international information issues by contributing to the formation of those policies. It supports the advancement of the state of the art and practice by taking a leadership position in the advocacy of research and development in basic and applied information science. To accomplish these goals, ASIST edits, publishes, and disseminates publications concerning research and development; convenes annual meetings providing a forum for papers, discussions, and major policy statements; holds smaller chapter and special interest meetings, as well as special symposia; and acts as a sounding board for the promotion of research and development and for the education of information professionals. Publications In line with the purpose of the editorial program of ASIST to encourage and foster the study and practice of information science, ASIST boasts several of the leading publications in the field, as well as internal publications designed for the sole use and benefit of its members. Annual Review of Information Science and Technology (ARIST) comprehensively reviews and synthesizes yearly trends in the various branches of information science. Volumes 1-21 & 26 and beyond are available from Information Today, Inc., 143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055. Volumes 22-25 may be ordered from Elsevier Science Publishers, S. Burgerhartst 25, PO Box 1991, Amsterdam, The Netherlands 100b2. Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology (JASIST), a fully refereed scholarly and technical periodical, has been published continuously since 1950. Edited by Donald H. Kraft, Louisiana State University, Department of Computer Science, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, JASIST publishes reports of research and development in a wide range of subjects and applications in information science and technology. JASIST is published for ASIST by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Bulletin of the American Society for Information Science and Technology is a bi-monthly news magazine packed with developments and issues affecting the field, pragmatic management reports, opinion, and news of people and events in the information science community. Proceedings of the ASIST Annual Meetings, issued continuously since 1963, contains the contributed papers presented at the meetings. The Proceedings are published for ASIST by Information Today, Inc., 143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055. ASIST Handbook and Directory is an annual publication containing comprehensive information about ASIST and its members, including a detailed membership list with names, addresses and affiliations within the Society. ASIST Monographs offer state-of-the-art reviews, reprinted papers, reference tools and conference proceedings. Members are encouraged to submit monographs for publication by ASIST; for information about submitting proposals, those interested should contact Richard Hill, Executive Director, ASIST, 1320 Fenwick Lane, Suite 510, Silver Spring, MD 20910. ASIST Publications Bookstore offers members discounted prices on ASIST publications and tapes. It also offers discounts to members on information related books and resources produced by other publishers. ASIST National Auxiliary Publications Service (NAPS) since 1937 has provided a central depository for materials adjunct to papers published in scholarly and technical journals. Copies of stored materials may be obtained in either microfiche or hard copy. All inquiries regarding depositing or retrieving materials should be sent to ASIST/NAPS, c/o Microfiche Publications, 248 Hempstead Turnpike, West Hempstead, NY 11552 (516) 481-2300. Continuing Education Reflecting the broad range of interests and responsibilities of ASIST members, ASIST provides significant opportunities for continuing education and professional development. ASIST draws upon the expertise of leaders in information science for its continuing education program, conducted at the Annual and Mid-Year Meetings and regionally, to allow a wide range of learning opportunities for people at all levels of the information spectrum. Career Services ASIST Jobline, online and mailed monthly to ASIST members, contains listings of current relevant job openings throughout the nation. The ASIST Placement Service has always been a fertile ground for job-seekers and employers alike. Whether looking for an entry-level position or an opportunity for a promotion, ASIST members are encouraged to take advantage of the Placement Service. The Service is free of charge and is operated for members at the Annual Meeting. Registration information may be obtained from ASIST Headquarters. ASIST Member Insurance Program The Society sponsors insurance plans for its members at rates which may be lower than the costs of similar coverage on an individual basis: 1) Group Term Life Insurance: Provides optional coverage of $15,000 to $300,000, with diminishing coverage from age 61 to age 80. Premium credits, while not guaranteed, have been granted for the past ten years. 2) High-Limit Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan: Provides against loss of life and dismemberment caused by accident, anywhere in the world (at home, at work, traveling, commuting, and on vacation), 24 hours a day, with benefits ranging from $50,000 to $500,000, for members under age 70. 3) Disability Income Plan: Provides protection in the event of sudden reduction of income during a disabling accident or a prolonged illness. Benefit payments range from $100 to $500 per month, with choice of when benefits begin. 4) In-Hospital Plan: Provides from $20 to $300 a day while hospital-confined up to one year for a covered accident or sickness. Additional benefits for hospital confinement due to pathologically diagnosed cancer, and while in an intensive-care unit or nursing home. 5) Comprehensive Health Care: Designed to provide comprehensive protection against financial hardship due to hospital, doctor and other medical bills. It has a $1,000,000 lifetime maximum benefit with a choice of calendar year deductibles. 6) Excess Major Medical Plan: Augments regular hospital/medical coverage by providing catastrophe protection against the spiraling costs of medical care. It features $35,000 or $50,000 deductibles and payment of 100% of out-of-pocket covered expenses, up to $2,000,000 for each qualified sickness or injury, after satisfying the deductible amount. 7) Medicare Supplement Insurance: Guaranteed coverage for members and spouses age 65 and over who are eligible for Medicare. Helping to cover the gap between what Medicare pays and your actual expenses, this coverage is important in establishing adequate protection against the increasing cost of medical care. Dependent's coverage is available under all the plans except for the Disability Income Plan, which is limited to members only. These coverages offer a fine supplemental package to help round out a member's individual insurance needs. Complete details can be obtained from Administrator, ASIST Group Insurance Program, 1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037; phone (toll-free) 800/424-9883. All plans may not be available in some states because of special state insurance regulations. Memberships ASIST Regular Membership is open to any interested party who applies and pays the prescribed dues, currently $115 annually. Employees of Corporate Patrons are eligible to become regular members for $110 a year. Benefits to regular members include a subscription to the Bulletin and a choice between electronic access or printed copies of JASIST. Regular members may receive both electronic and printed copies of JASIST for an additional annual fee of $25. Other benefits include Jobline and participation in the ASIST Placement Service; listing in and copy of the Handbook & Directory; membership in the local chapter (where one exists); opportunity to join Special Interest Groups, and the right to vote and hold office. In addition, regular members receive reduced registration fees on all ASIST meetings and education programs, discounts on ASIST publications, and eligibility for the ASIST group insurance program. Fulltime and part-time students may choose regular membership and receive all the benefits described above or they may choose the discounted student membership for $30 annually. Benefits to student members include a subscription to the Bulletin and electronic access to JASIST. Student members can request to receive the print copy of JASIST for an additional annual fee of $15. Retired Memberships at $58 per year are available upon request to any regular member who has been a member of ASIST for the past five years or more and has retired from active work. Institutional Memberships for companies and organizations are available in two categories: Institutional Affiliate and Corporate Patron. The Institutional Affiliate dues are $650 annually and entitle participants to all the benefits of regular membership, plus free copies of the Annual Review of Information Science and Technology and the Proceedings of the ASIST Annual Meeting. Institutional Affiliates also receive the first 100 words free in Jobline advertisements, special group rates at ASIST conferences, and one free individual membership for a designated representative of the organization. Corporate Patrons, for $800 annually, receive all the benefits accorded to Institutional Affiliates plus additional advertising and exhibitor discounts: 30 percent discount on all advertising in the Bulletin, ASIST Handbook and Directory, and Annual Conference Program. Employees of Corporate Patrons receive $5 off their regular memberships in ASIST and additional group discounts on continuing education workshops. All ASIST members are requested to inform Headquarters personally, promptly and in writing of any address change. All members in arrears of dues shall cease to be members in good standing and all privileges and benefits shall be terminated. Members who have been terminated but rejoin in a subsequent year after a break in membership shall be considered new members. ASIST Staff Executive Director: Richard B. Hill, rhill@asis.org Director of Finance & Administration: Janice Hatzakos, jhatzakos@asis.org Director of Membership and Meetings: Vanessa Foss, vfoss@asis.org Membership Service Representative: Carolyn Johnson, cjohnson@asis.org Office Assistant: Sandra Holder, sholder@asis.org |
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