In light of the lively conversation that has appeared on LAW=AALIB during=
the
past few days relating to the Report of the AALL Task Force on Citation
Format and the Executive Board's statement upon accepting it, it is
important that the accurate text of the statement be posted for LAW_LIB
subscribers to see:
STATEMENT OF THE AALL EXECUTIVE BOARD
CONCERNING THE REPORT OF THE TASK FORCE ON CITATION FORMAT
The AALL Executive Board accepts the report of the Task Forceon Citation
Format. The report represents a nearly year_long effort to address the
problems of citation in an electronic environment.
The Board believes that the Task Force's recommendations present practical,
reasonable
solutions that further the goals of access to public legal information and
uniformity of
citation,consistent with the Board's November 1994 resolution on these=
issues.
The Board invites members to study and comment on the report's
recommendations. The Board will review all written comments received by
June 30 and anticipates taking final action on the report at its July 14
meeting.
The Board commends the Task Force for its dedication to these issues and for
the thoroughness of its review and report.
Adopted by the AALL Executive Board
March 11, 1995
Several recent postings by various parties have conveyed or quoted
erroneous or
potentially_misleading information about the task force, the report, and
related matters. Alan Sugarman quoted West's lengthy brief to the Wisconsin
Supreme Court: "The AAL=7FL task force and membership were far from
unanimous, however, on the public domain resolution and the task force's
report. 'The announcement [of the resolution] nets negative comme=7Fnts=
from
the majority of those who responded.'" In the interest of fairness, it
should be pointed out that _all_of the law librarians and four of the
publishers, that is all except the two West representatives, concurred in
the majority report of the Task Force. The two West members and Fred
Muller, the Reporter of Decisions for the State of New York, prepared
dissenting reports. West's claim that
a majority of those who posted comments on LAW_LIB following the Board's
passage of the
resolution in November is specious. No one who had the capability to place
comments on
LAW_LIB knew at the time that their remarks would be counted and used to
support West's
argument in the Wisconsin matter. It is only natural that those who
disagree with or criticize a policy or action are more likely to comment
than those who agree. If those who agree had known that comments were going
to b=7Fe counted by West, they would have been far more likely to weigh in
with their opinions.
=09
The West Wisconsin brief states that "the AALL Executive Board on March 10
[actually the 11th] declined to vote on the Task Force's report and
recommendation." This implies a negative response to the report. In reality
the Board reached concensu=7Fs that=7F it was so important for the AALL
membership to have an opportunity to read and comment upon the report, that
the vote was postponed to allow that time. A copy of the report may be
requested either by FAX (312_431_1097) or in writing (AALL, 53 WestJacks=7Fo=
n
Blvd., Suite 940, Chicago, IL 60604.
Please include:"Attention: "Citation Task Force Report" on the envelope.)
Please do not request the report by telephone as a courtesy to the staff. In
about 10 days the report should also appear on AALLNET. Technical
requirements have delayed that process.
One last correction: It was reported that more AALL speakers at the
Wisconsin hearing were opposed to rather than supportive of the Wisconsin
proposal. In fact more AALL members spoke in favoror the change: Lynn
Foster, Bob Oakley, Steve Barkan and Chris Simoni. Wisconsin State Law
Librarian Marcia Koslov, a strong proponent, also made brief remarks.
Carol Billings, President, AALL.
Law Library of Louisiana
301 Loyola Ave., Room 100
New Orleans, LA 70112
504-568-5701 (voice)
504-568-5069 (fax)
email: nolawlib@new-orleans.neosoft.com
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