The Saskatchewan Association of Library Technicians listserv (SALT-TECH) was created in order to help fulfill part of our mission statement.  SALT-TECH is an unmediated listserv which acts as a forum for the library community.  Anyone with an interest in libraries is free to join the listserv and participate. 

• The SALT Listserv is unmediated.  This means that all messages sent to the listserv address will be posted automatically and will be received by all subscribers.  Because of this, everyone is asked to exercise proper judgment prior to sending any messages.

• Consider whether the listserv is the appropriate medium for your particular message.  Please refrain from replying to other postings with short personal comments that would best be sent directly to the person who did the original post.  Therefore, refrain from sending short "Thank you," "Congratulations," or "Me too" notes to the whole list.  Send them only to the individuals.  Do not use the listserv to pass on chain letters of any sort of any urgency, or "spam" the list with unsolicited advertising.

• Use discretion when forwarding a long mail message to the listserv.  It is preferable to reference the source of a document and provide instructions on how to obtain a copy.  If you must post a long message, warn the readers with a statement at the top of the mail message.  Example: WARNING: LONG MESSAGE

• The listserv is not intended for solicitation purposes.  The exception to this guideline is the posting of library-related training, workshops, seminars, etc.  Such postings are encouraged. 

• Campaign material for elections of any kind (local, provincial, federal, or other organizational) shall not be sent on the listserv.

• Material about local practice that may be of general interest to the library community is frequently a beneficial topic.  However, the listserv is not an appropriate forum for discussing the details of a dispute that is internal to any library system.  Information about internal disputes is not permitted. 

• Personal insults (also known as “flaming”) are not welcome on the SALT Listserv.  While such messages are not pre-screened, the sender should expect the general displeasure of all listserv subscribers, as well as appropriate action from the SALT Executive.  While ideological disagreements are appropriate, personal attacks are not.  Treat the others on the listserv as you would want them to treat you.

• Please sign your posts using a signature block.  A signature block is a way of identifying yourself at the end of your e-mail messages (i.e. Sincerely, John Doe).  Other subscribers of the list are more likely to reply if they know whom they are talking to.  Your signature block should include your name, place of work, position/job title, and e-mail address.  Optional information could include your snail mail address, phone and fax numbers, or any other information you wish to disclose.

• When replying to a message, check the address to be certain it is going to the intended location (person or group).  It can be embarrassing if they reply incorrectly and post a personal message to the entire listserv group that was intended for an individual.