FROM INCOMING CRIV CHAIR FRANK HOUDEK:
The popular Open Forum of the Committee on Relations with Information
Vendors (CRIV), traditionally a celebrity roast of one or more publishers,
takes a new direction this year when CRIV itself assumes the hot seat.
Shifting vendor polarization, instant gratification listserves, and many
other scenarios not envisioned when the committee charge was first drafted
have recently led members, publishers, the Executive Board, and even CRIV
members themselves to wonder about the functionality of the committee in the
present and future landscape. Though this year's forum will not eschew
references to trends and general problems, the objective will not be to find
solutions to specific concerns but rather to map out the best direction for
the Committee in the future.
CRIV has always addressed problems with publishers, including infractions of
the FTC Guides, only after receiving a formal complaint from a librarian.
CRIV contacted the vendor and helped work out a solution, and then published
the results in the CRIV Sheet. Now, however, many problems are "vented" on
law-lib and no formal complaint is ever filed with CRIV. Often, lurking
publishers contact the ventee and solve the specific problem, but
eliminating CRIV as the middleman precludes the Committee from providing
useful feedback to other librarians who may have the same problem. Thus, the
very serious question arises: Is there a role for CRIV to play in this
truncated process that will serve librarians, publishers, and the
Association? What should that role be?
Related questions include the value of CRIV's time-consuming dispute
resolution process to AALL members, the utility of CRIV site visits to
vendors, and the future direction of both the CRIV Sheet and the CRIV home
page on AALLNET. CRIV is very interested in hearing the views of all
concerned parties??librarian and vendor alike, on these questions at this
year's Open Forum, scheduled for Sunday, July 12, 4:00-5:30 p.m. (see the
Program for exact location). Everyone is encouraged to confront CRIV
members with their concerns and suggest how CRIV can contribute to the
solutions.
One final reminder: Though the Open Forum will not deal with specific
library/vendor conflicts, the CRIV-sponsored program titled, Beyond the Next
Horizon to the Promised Land: No More Fear and Loathing in Vendor
Relationships (E-7), is designed to provide the tools needed to resolve such
problems. Featuring presentations by both librarians and vendors, this
program will provide a detailed introduction to the FTC Guidelines, forms to
use in drafting letters to vendors, and other practical suggestions on steps
that can lead to acceptable solutions. This hands-on program will run from
3:15 to 5:15 p.m on Monday July 13. Check the official program for
location.
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