Library Instruction Round Table

Bylaws

ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the LIBRARY INSTRUCTION ROUND TABLE (LIRT).

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE
The purpose of this Round Table shall be to provide a forum for discussion of activities, programs and problems of instruction in the use of libraries or information literacy; to contribute to the education and training of librarians for library instruction; to promote instruction in the use of libraries as an essential library service; and to serve as a channel of communication on instruction in the use of libraries.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to any member of TLA who is interested in library instruction, bibliographic instruction or training, information literacy, or orienting and educating library users.

ARTICLE IV. ORGANIZATION

    Section 1. Officers
    a. Elected officers of LIRT shall be Chair, Vice-Chair (Chair-Elect), Secretary-Treasurer, Councilor, Alternate Councilor, and Immediate Past Chair.

    b. From the time of nomination until their term of office is over, an officer must be a member in good standing of the Texas Library Association and the Library Instruction Round Table.

    c. The Chair, Vice-Chair (Chair-Elect), and Secretary-Treasurer shall serve a term of one year or until a successor is elected. The Councilor and Alternate Councilor shall serve for three years or until a successor is elected. All officers shall assume office immediately following TLA's Annual Conference.

    Section 2. Duties
    a. The Chair, Vice-Chair (Chair-Elect), and Secretary-Treasurer shall comply with the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Texas Library Association and perform the duties usually attached to these offices.

    b. The Councilor shall serve as a voting member of the TLA Council and shall have such duties as prescribed in the TLA Bylaws and as directed by the unit officers.

    c. The Alternate Councilor shall serve in the absence of the Councilor and shall in that capacity assume the duties prescribed.

    Section 3. Elections
    a. Officers shall be elected by mail, electronic ballot, or other method as permitted by the TLA Bylaws. At the LIRT business meeting at Annual Assembly, the LIRT Executive Committee will determine the method and schedule of voting for the annual officer election. A plurality of votes shall determine each winner. In the event of a tied vote, the tie will be resolved by a drawing of names at the regular business meeting during the Annual Conference.

    b. Candidates for the offices of Chair, Vice-Chair (Chair-Elect), and Secretary-Treasurer shall be selected by the Nominating Committee. At least one candidate for each office shall be nominated.

    c. According to the cycle of their term, candidates for the office of Councilor shall also be selected by the Nominating Committee. There shall be at least 2 candidates for Councilor. The Councilor candidate with the highest number of votes shall be elected Councilor. The Councilor candidate with the second highest number of votes shall become the Alternate Councilor.

    d. The Nominating Committee shall be comprised of four members as specified in Article V, Section 4. The Nominating Committee shall present its nominations to the LIRT membership no later than two weeks before the first date on which members may cast ballots or in accordance with TLA election deadlines.

    Section 4. Vacancies
    a. If a vacancy occurs in the office of the Chair, the Vice-Chair (Chair-Elect) shall become Chair for the remainder of that term and also serve the term to which the Chair-Elect had been elected.

    b. If a vacancy occurs in any of the other elected offices, the Chair, with the approval of the Executive Committee, shall fill the vacancy by appointment until the next general election.

    c. If a vacancy occurs in both the Chair and Vice-Chair positions, the President of the Texas Library Association shall appoint a new Chair, who shall proceed as outlined above.

ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES

    Section 1. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Chair, Vice-Chair (Chair-Elect), Secretary-Treasurer, Councilor, Alternate Councilor, and Immediate Past Chair.

    Section 2. Standing or special committees shall be designated as needed by the Chair or Executive Committee. The terms of committees shall be concurrent with the term of the Chair, or until their charges are completed and reports accepted, or until the committee is dissolved by the Chair.

    Section 3. Committee Chairs shall be appointed by the Chair of LIRT, with the exception of the Nominating Committee. The chairs of committees may, with approval of the LIRT Chair, appoint members as needed to their respective committees.

    Section 4. The Nominating Committee shall be composed of four members of LIRT. The Executive Committee (not including the Chair) shall elect three members to the Nominating Committee who are not current members of the Executive Committee. The fourth member shall be the Vice-Chair (Chair-Elect) who shall serve as Chair of the Nominating Committee. The Chair of LIRT may neither participate in selecting the Nominating Committee nor serve on the Nominating Committee.

    Section 5. The Awards Committee shall administer the selection process for the Library Instruction Project of the Year Award and the Outstanding Service in Library Instruction Award. The Chair of LIRT shall appoint the members of this Committee and its Chair.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

    Section 1. A regular membership meeting of LIRT shall be held during the Annual Conference and Annual Assembly of TLA, and shall be for the purpose of conducting business within the authority of LIRT and for the planning of programs concerning topics relevant to library instruction. A quorum shall consist of the members present.

    Section 2. The Executive Committee will meet to conduct business of LIRT at both Annual Conference and Annual Assembly. Other meetings of the Committee may be held as deeemed necessary by the Chair or by a majority of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The Rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern LIRT in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws or any special rules of order TLA may adopt.

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
Bylaws may be adopted or amended at any general membership meeting of LIRT by a majority vote of the members present, provided such changes are consistent with the Bylaws and Standing Rules of the Texas Library Association.

[Revised April 13, 2007]

Library Instruction Round Table
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