Download ACRL-Rep-Report-AAAS-2014

Association of College & Research Libraries
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ACRL Representative Report
Unit Representative to:
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Representative Name:
Alison S. Ricker
Representative Email:
[email protected]
Report period:
July 2013 - June 2014
Background Information:
Founded in 1848, AAAS is affiliated with 258 societies (including ALA) and academies of
science, serving 10 million individuals across vastly divergent fields of study and enterprise. The
AAAS seeks to "advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the
benefit of all people." This mission is very effectively pursued through its publications,
diplomacy, professional workshops, meetings and career support, advocacy and public outreach to
increase scientific literacy worldwide, support for professional scientists and objective,
authoritative communication with news outlets. Its flagship publication Science has the largest
paid circulation of any peer-reviewed general science journal in the world, with an estimated total
readership of one million. Major program areas are outlined at http://www.aaas.org/programs,
including R&D Budget and Policy, the intersection of science, ethics and religion, “invention
ambassadors,” and policy fellowships.
Major Activities of the Unit:
 Annual Meeting, February 13-17, 2014. The 2014 Annual Meeting theme—Meeting Global
Challenges: Discovery and Innovation—focused on finding sustainable solutions through
inclusive, international, and interdisciplinary efforts that are most useful to society and
enhance economic growth. Remarkable plenary lectures were open to the public and can be
viewed online www.aaas.org/page/2014-plenary-speakers extending their reach worldwide.
 AAAS Forum on Science and Technology Policy, May 1-2, 2014. The annual AAAS Forum
on Science and Technology Policy is the “conference for people interested in public policy
issues facing the science, engineering, and higher education communities.” At this year’s
forum, White House counselor John Podesta discussed ways to capitalize on the opportunities
of the big-data revolution while preserving values including privacy and non-discrimination.
He noted, "Our commitment to innovation, our technological and scientific know-how, our
deep commitment to the values of privacy and fairness and non-discrimination and selfdetermination will help us harness the benefits of the big-data revolution and encourage the
free-flow of information while also protecting privacy,"
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
Science for Kids! http://www.eurekalert.org/scienceforkids/ continued its mission to increase
scientific understanding and enthusiasm for science investigation in youth.
Implications for ACRL:
 Science Librarians sponsored at AAAS Annual Meeting. A primary responsibility for the
ALA Liaison to AAAS has been organizing the group of librarians (30 individuals) who are
provided with a sponsored (i.e., free) registration to the AAAS meeting. This was achieved
primarily by posting messages to STS-L, and from contacts between AAAS Publishing
Division staff with librarians at various functions.
 Librarian session during AAAS Annual Meeting. In 2012, 2013, and 2014 the session for
sponsored librarians was an opportunity for librarians to make substantive presentations
related to the AAAS Meeting theme. Our session in 2014 included these talks:
"Climate Action Plan Challenge for Librarians: Supporting sound science to manage climate
impacts." Fred Stoss, Associate Librarian, University of Buffalo; Subject Librarian for
Biology, Ecology, Geology and Mathematics.
"Together We Stand, Divided We Fall: Facing the problem of climate change by connecting
researchers through knowledge management." Manuel De la Cruz Gutierrez, Research and
Knowledge Management Librarian, University of Pennsylvania.
"Connections in Education and Outreach by Communicating Effectively." Kiyomi Deards,
Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Love Library; Subject Librarian for
Chemistry, Biochemistry, Physics and Astronomy.
 Education Enhancement. Project 2061 is a long-term research and development initiative
focused on improving science education so that all Americans can become literate in science,
mathematics, and technology. Collaboration with science librarians is a natural fit in many of
the activities offered as part of Project 2061.
Upcoming Activities:
 2015 Annual AAAS Meeting: San Jose, CA, February 12-16. “Innovations, Information, and
Imaging.” AAAS Publisher Relations will again sponsor attendance by librarians. Librarians
are welcome to submit proposals for poster sessions, due in October 2014. The session
proposal deadline has passed; at least one science librarian intended to develop a proposal for
a session devoted to innovations in how information about climate change is presented to the
public. http://meetings.aaas.org/program/meeting-theme/
 Awards. To recognize scientists, journalists, and public servants for significant contributions
to science and to the public's understanding of science, AAAS administers fifteen different
types of awards. Publicizing these awards on library blogs would be instructive for our
academic communities. http://www.aaas.org/page/aaas-awards
Respectfully submitted,
Alison Scott Ricker
Science Librarian
Oberlin College
Oberlin OH 44074
May 22, 2014
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