ASSOCIATES (ISSN 1077-6613) (OCLC#30846821) began publication in 1994 as a journal written for and about library support staff. ASSOCIATES is published three times per year in March, July, and November. Subscription is free. ASSOCIATES currently has 1,700 world-wide subscribers.
History
In 1993, Mary Kalnin, listowner of LIBSUP-L, an electronic discussion list for library support staff, University of Washington and Ed Gillen, then New York State Library Assistant’s Association (NYSLAA) Recording Secretary and editor of the NYSLAA newsletter, first proposed an electronic library support staff journal. Seven people from around the United States volunteered for the Editorial Board. After several months, the technical aspects of developing and publishing an ejournal were completed. ASSOCIATES would be offered via email through a listserv, based at the University of Kansas. Kendall Simmons, University of Kansas, volunteered to be Editor-in-Chief. Kendall served as Editor-in-Chief from July 1994 to March 2001.
The name “ASSOCIATES” was suggested by Janet Anderson-Story, University of Kansas. “We chose … associates because we wanted a title that was descriptive of “our” work, not our work in relation to others. … we are associates with others who perform library work.”
ASSOCIATES was only available via email until 1998. In July 1998, Joy Wanden of OCLC Pacific, designed the first homepage and was instrumental in developing the web version. Subscribers were offered two choices for receiving ASSOCIATES: “Associates” via email: the entire text contents of the new issue are sent to the subscriber, resulting in about 15-20 separate emails; or, “AssociatesWeb” for an email notification that the new issue is available on the web. Since March 2002, the server and listservs are housed at the University of California, Riverside. Back issues are available.
Contents
Libraries, library staff, and library support staff activities are central to all contributions. Several authors contribute to each issue with continuing “Columns” and “Reviews.” “Features” are articles from library staff and may include research articles, conference information, development activities, work procedures, resource sharing, opinions, etc. Fiction is also accepted.
Editorial Staff
Kevin Dudeney, NSW Department of Corrective Services, is the current Editor. Jim Clark, University of California, Riverside, is the Publications Editor.
An Editorial Board advises the Editor on policy matters, contributes to ASSOCIATES, and can be called upon to review and edit contributed articles. The current Editorial Board includes Jill M. Baker, University of Michigan Law Library, Carla Bussey, Library of Congress, Frank Exner, Little Bear, North Carolina Central University’s School of Library and Information Sciences, Jim Jackson, University of Exeter, Katie Kintner.
From the Editor
As the current Editor I want to continue in the footsteps of the previous Editors by being committed to enriching library support staff through the publication of ASSOCIATES. I welcome your comments and suggestions.
Contact me, Kevin Dudeney, Editor of Associates, at associates@hotkey.net.au
