Purpose:
The ASM Handbook Committee represents the interests of the ASM Membership and other handbook users with regard to the several series of Handbooks published by ASM International. The Committee ensures that ASM Handbooks are current, accurate, complete, and easy to use. The Committee provides technical as well as administrative recommendations to the Editorial Staff regarding appropriate topics for Handbooks, the need for revision of current volumes, and the needs and interests of the diverse materials community. The Committee also provides broad policy guidance pertaining to the planning, organizing, editing, publication, and marketing of ASM Handbooks. The Handbook Committee shall support the ASM Strategic Plan and be accountable and responsible for those strategic actions which fall within the purview of the committee. It shall also be the responsibility of the committee to contribute new program and service ideas that support the Strategic Plan.
Product(s) and Service(s) Awards Policy Committee is responsible for:
The Handbook Committee is responsible for the following products:
- ASM Handbook series (print and online)
- Metals Desk Edition (print and online resource as part of membership)
- Engineered Materials Desk Edition (print and online resource as part of membership)
- Engineered Materials Handbooks (adhesives, plastics, glasses, ceramics)
- Electronic Materials Handbook
Specialty Handbooks on Cast Irons, Steels, Aluminum Alloys, Magnesium Alloys, Stainless Steels, etc.
Qualifications of Members:
- Be familiar with ASM Handbook products.
- Be knowledgeable and have broad or leadership experience in subject areas of ASM Handbook coverage.
- Be knowledgeable of the other subject-matter experts and/or resources of technical content.
- Have experience in writing or editing technical publications, and/or experience in developing technical programming for conferences.
- Be able to devote about four to five hours per month to Handbook Committee activities
- Be aware of recognized and needed materials reference information that is well accepted and technically current in selected content areas of Handbook coverage.
- The capability of participating, preferably in person, during at least one major HBC meeting per year (typically a spring meeting and/or a fall meeting during the ASM Annual Event). The capability to participate directly in HBC work both on-line and by conf. calls during the balance of the year.
Committee Size:
The size of the committee has grown in recent years. Ongoing maintenance of the ASM Handbooks (print & online) will benefit from more outreach and participation by the committee members in their specific areas of interest.
Time Commitment:
Time commitment can vary significantly depending on roles. Minimum is about four to five hours per month, but editorial roles can be up to 16 hours per month (review, follow-up, contact work)
Term Duration:
- Chair, Vice Chair, and Past Chair have two-year terms
- Members have three year terms
Key Responsibilities:
The role of committee members is to contribute content, review manuscripts, critique publication proposals, and/or guide the content proposals for online and/or print publications.
Committee member activities include:
- Review or recruit reviewers for selected areas of existing Handbook coverage
- Report quarterly and identify specific articles for one of the following actions: Reaffirm, Revise, Replace, or Archive (retire without future evaluation)
- Identify gaps and topics for new articles or new volumes
- Help coordinate the review, revision, or addition of Handbook articles. This may include the role of serving as a Volume Editor or Division Editor.
Committee roles and responsibilities include:
- Review and prioritize recommendations and activities of committee members
- Review and approve editorial outlines for new or revised Handbook Volumes.
- Provide consensus on the overall organization, scope, and priorities of the Handbook products.
- Advise on Handbook editorial and publication policies
Support of Committee Activities:
Online manuscript processing system (ScholarOne) facilitates review by committee members.