After discussions with several OBS and TS SIS folks during the AALL Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, it was decided that I would update and re-submit a seven page proposal which, if later approved by both SIS memberships, would create a Joint Research Grant Committee (JRGC). In a nutshell, the JRGC would use approved criteria to award grants of up to $500 to any AALL member which would help successful applicants who needed financial assistance for their research and publishing in the arena of technical services law librarianship. Award guidelines and other forms were drafted in March of 1996.

The draft document will be mailed to the OBS and TS SIS Chairs for their input and advice on what the next steps should be regarding the research grant. It is hoped all the necessary things would be in place for a vote to be put before members of both SISs for AALL in Baltimore in 1997.

After conferring with Alva Stone, who is a member of AALL Research Committee, I feel it's important for us to continue to pursue this joint SIS grant committee, tailored for technical services, since the Little Brown Research Grant monies (of which there are still $32,000 remaining) are intended for larger research projects.

Stay tuned to your TSLL for more updates on what's happening with the JRGC. Contact me if you have any comments or ideas. Thanks to Alva for her input and advice!