NISO Representative Annual Report 2021

submitted by Nara Newcomer, NISO Representative

Current Roster

  • Nara Newcomer, NISO Representative (appointed 2014, until resignation or removal)
  • Kimmy Szeto, NISO Alternate Representative (appointed 2020, until resignation or removal)

List of Previous Goals and Progress Made

  • Identify and vote on ballots of MLA significance, seeking input from appropriate groups.
  • Reviewed, voted, and commented on NISO ballots and initiatives including:
    • Approval of new standard — NISO Z39.104-202X — Contributor Roles Taxonomy (CRediT)
    • Systematic Review — ISO 7098:2015 — Information and documentation – Romanization of Chinese
    • Approval of standard — ISO/FDIS 690 — Guidelines for bibliographic references and citations
    • Approval of standard — NISO Z39.4-202X — Criteria for Indexes
    • Systematic Review — ISO 9230:2007 — Determination of price indexes for print and electronic media.
    • Systematic Review — ISO 8777:1993 — Commands for interactive text searching
    • Systematic Review — ISO 15706-2 — International Standard Audiovisual Number (ISAN) – Part 2: Version Identifier
    • Other ballots with minimal impact on MLA aims.
  • Facilitate input on NISO Video and Audio Metadata working group.
    • Michelle Urberg continued to represent music and AV interests, providing periodic reports and seeking feedback. Geoffrey Wood resigned the committee due to increase workload at Rutgers. The work was disrupted by COVID, but continues.
  • Review and document processes to make the Alternate Representative role a more active contributor.
    • Kimmy and Nara together created a framework for better sharing of work and had active dialog as needed throughout the year. The Alternate Representative is now functioning as an active contributor to NISO work. Our contributions are stronger and we have backup if the main Representative would be unable to fulfill the duties for a time.

List of Future Goals

  • Identify and vote on ballots of MLA significance, seeking input from appropriate groups. Represent the voice of MLA through votes and ballot comments.
    • Strategic Plan Info: Organizational Excellence, Objective 3: Pursue joint ventures with other organizations that offer financial as well as professional opportunities and advantages.
    • Strategic Plan Info: Advocacy goal area, objective 1: Develop and disseminate official positions on intellectual property, access, and scholarly communication issues.
    • Review and vote on NISO ballots
  • Facilitate input on NISO Video and Audio Metadata working group.