Committees

At the 2023 AVSL Annual Meeting, the decision was made to change the governance structure of AVSL to be committee-based (rather than by chair/co-chair and secretary, as it had previously been governed). Each committee is self-governed, and has a chair or co-chairs, with terms of service that vary by committee. The position of Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) Vision Science Librarians SIG Chair is now filled by the member of the Annual Meeting Committee who assumes the role of liaising with ASCO. Current committee assignments can be found here: Assignments

While the MLA Vision Science Caucus remains its own entity within AVSL, the following are the current committees within AVSL. Click the drop-down arrow to learn more about each:

Vetted Journals List Committee

The Vetted Journals List Committee is a joint committee of MLA VSC and AVSL. The goal of the committee is to maintain a current list of vision science journals that have met a set of standards and criteria, including (but not limited to) metrics of reliability and quality.

Open Access Lists Committee

The Open Access Lists Committee maintains two lists: one of open access eBooks within vision science, and one of open access journals within vision science. These lists are updated biannually, and are posted on the AVSL website.

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee is responsible for tracking and cultivating membership in AVSL, and welcoming new members.

Website Committee

The Website Committee is responsible for maintaining the AVSL website, the purpose of which is to communicate the activities and initiatives of AVSL with members and the vision science community at large. This committee is also responsible for maintaining the AVSL listserv, as well as the Eye Resources on the Internet list.

Annual Meeting Committee

This committee is responsible for all aspects of planning the AVSL Annual Meeting, which takes place concurrent to the Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting each year. A member of this committee is responsible for being the liaison to the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) by serving as the official ASCO Vision Science Librarians SIG chair.

Academy Portal Liaison Committee

This committee is responsible for maintaining and updating the content on the American Academy of Optometry’s AVSL-AAO Information Hub, created “to support Candidates for Fellowship and Fellows of the Academy in their research and clinical endeavors.”

Professional Development Committee

Standards & Core Competencies Subcommittee

The Standards & Core Competencies Subcommittee is responsible for maintaining and updating the Standards for Vision Science Libraries and Vision Librarian Competencies.

Journal Club Subcommittee

This subcommittee facilitates semi-regular journal club discussions for AVSL members on articles pertinent to our work as vision science librarians.

Peer Evaluation Subcommittee

The Peer Evaluation Subcommittee facilitates semi-regular opportunities for AVSL members to practice any forthcoming presentation before a group of their peers for feedback and constructive criticism prior to delivering it to the intended audience.

Past AVSL/ASCO SIG Chairs:

2022-2023, Scott Johnson, Marshall B. Ketchum University

2020-2022, Heather Edmonds, New England College of Optometry

2018-2020, Rudy Barreras, Western University of Health Sciences

2014-2018, Leslie Holland, Southern College of Optometry

2014-2016, Kristen Motte, New England College of Optometry

2011-2014, D.J. Matthews, Marshall B. Ketchum University

2009-2011, Gale Oren, University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center

2008-2009, Pamela Sieving, National Institutes of Health

2007-2008, Cindy Hutchison, New England College of Optometry

2006-2007, Pamela Sieving, National Institutes of Health

2004-2005, Elaine Wells, SUNY College of Optometry

2002-2003, Maureen Watson, Michigan College of Optometry

2000-2001, Bette Anton, University of California, Berkeley

1998-1999, Judith Schaeffer-Young, Wills Eye Hospital

1996-1997, Douglas Freeman, Indiana University

1994-1995, Gerald Dujsik, Illinois College of Optometry

1992-1993, Madelyn Hall, Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center

1990-1991, Lynne Silvers, New England College of Optometry

1988-1989, Bette Anton, University of California at Berkeley

1986-1987, Laurel Gregory, Pacific University

1984-1985, Suzanne Ferimer, University of Houston

1982-1983, Pat Carlson, Southern California College of Optometry

1980-1981, Eleanor Warner, New England College of Optometry

1978-1979, Nancy Gatlin, Southern College of Optometry

1976-1977, Peg Lewis, SUNY College of Optometry

1974-1975, Alison Howard, University of California at Berkeley

1972-1973, Elizabeth Egan

1970-1971, Tom Lange

1968-1969, Grace Weiner, Los Angeles College of Optometry

Treasurer

2010-2019, Elaine Wells, SUNY College of Optometry

1999-2010, Judith Schaeffer Young, Dixon School of Nursing Library

1994-1998, Laurel Gregory, Pacific University

1982-1993, Alison Howard, University of California at Berkeley

1976-1981, Pat Carlson, Southern California College of Optometry

Archvist

2010-2022, Gale Oren, University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center

1997-2010, Doug Freeman, Indiana University

1988-1997, Bridget Kowalczyk, International Library Archives and Museum of Optometry

1986-1988, Maria Dablemont, International Museum & Archives of Optometry