MARS Handbook

This Handbook is a compilation of policies and procedures to assure continuity and smooth functioning for the MARS infrastructure. Summer 2004 Revision, New Series, Version 1, 2005

[Download MARS Handbook as a single PDF file]

Table of Contents

• Introduction - Approval and Revision Dates, Handbook Distribution and Updating Procedure

• MARS Executive Committee - MARS Officers and Liaisons, MARS Liaison Guidelines, MARS Liaison Model Description, MARS Historian, MARS Scheduling Coordinator, Messages from MARS Editor/MARS-L Moderator, and MARS Web Coordinator

MARS Committee & Discussion Groups

• MARS Committee Structure and Responsibilities of Committee Chairs

• Committee Descriptions, Group A - Achievement Recognition Certificiate Committee, Conference Planning Committee, Executive Committee, Best Free Websites Committee, Education Training and Support Committee, Local Systems and Services Committee, and Nominating Committee

• Committee Descriptions, Group B -  Management of Electronic Reference Services Committee, Products and Services Committee, Outreach Committee, Planning Committee, Public Libraries Committee, Publications Committee, User Access to Services Committee, and MARS/RSS Virtual Reference Committee, Hot Topics in Electronic Reference Discussion Group, and Virtual Reference Discussion Group

Supporting Documents and Appendices

• Appendix A: Bylaws

• Appendix B: Calendars - Usual meeting times for the MARS Executive Committee, MARS Basic Schedule, Vice-Chair and Chair-Elect Calendars, Discussion Group Leaders Calendar, and MARS Achievement Recognition Certificate Committee

• Appendix C: MARS Section Goals - 1995 to Present

• Appendix D: Miscellaneous Helps - Subscribing to the MARS Electronic Discussion List, MARS Discussion Groupo/Forum Guidelines for Planning, Tips for Discussion Forums, MARS Program Planning Advice, Publicity Avenues for MARS Activities, Running/Attending MARS Executive Committee Meetings, MARS Chair's Program Agenda, Boilerplate Documents for Dealing with Unresponsive Committee Members

• Appendix E: MARS Section Review - Table of Contents, Preface, Section Procedures for Creating and Updating Section Goals, Activities of the Last Five Years that Fulfill the Sections Stated Goals and Objectives

• Appendix F & G: RUSA Strategic Plan and Forms - Executive Committee Motion Form, Committee Membership - Status Report, Committee and Discussion Group Reporting Form, Committeee Interest Form, and RUSA Publication Proposal

• Appendix H: Guidelines and Procedures - Procedures for Selection - Messages from MARS Editor/MARS-L Moderator, Procedures for Selection - MARS Web Coordinator, MARS Archives Procedures, Procedures for Publication of MARS Committee Documents, Procedures for Developing Guidelines, MARS Publications Committee Web Document Style Guidelines, Instructions to Contributors: Messages from MARS, and Procedures for Messages from MARS Column and MARS-L LISTSERV

Suggestions for additions or revisions to this Handbook should be directed to the MARS Planning Committee. View the Committee Roster [This information is password protected for ALA members only.] If you are interested in the work of this committee, please complete a Committee Interest Form.