Thanks, everyone, for your messages and support!  We'll definitely keep 
the list posted about what's going on, when meetings are scheduled, etc. 
     And please let me know if you're in the area and would like to 
participate.

Jonathan, we were a little concerned, too, about repurposing a current 
SIG to have a broader base, especially since it originated within a more 
formal organization.  You are absolutely right that this could mean a 
restriction on participation, and we didn't want that at all.  Although 
METRO groups have no restriction on SIG attendance (no membership, fees, 
etc.), we double-checked with their technology director just to be sure. 
  He was enthusiastic about the idea and gave us the green light.  We 
want to extend invitations as far as possible, and it seems like METRO 
does, too.  (And they'll let us use their meeting space!)

But as the group evolves, we definitely want to be sure that everything 
is open access -- that's why we liked Code4Lib in the first place.  So 
we'll definitely work to make sure the group stays that way.

Thanks again!

Best,
Joanna

Jonathan Rochkind wrote:
> I think it's a fine idea ot have a local Code4lib group. 
> 
> But if it's an interest group of a particular library organization, I worry that means participation in the local group is limited to members of that particular library organization?  One of the things we like about the Code4Lib community is precisely that it isn't such a formal organization someone needs their institution to pay something for to participate in. So if your group limited participation to Metro Library Council members, the Code4Lib name might not be appropriate. 
> 
> But if all local library tech workers are welcome, then go for it!
> 
> Jonathan
> 
> ---
> Jonathan Rochkind
> Digital Services Software Engineer
> The Sheridan Libraries
> Johns Hopkins University
> 410.516.8886 
> [log in to unmask]
> 
> 
>>>> Ed Summers <[log in to unmask]> 8/13/2008 2:28 PM >>>
> This seems like a great idea, and very similar to what I've heard Dan
> Chudnov talk about regarding a code4lib-dc for the Washington DC area.
> 
> Would you be interested in using the code4lib.org drupal instance for
> providing information about the user group: say
> http://code4lib.org/nyc? Or perhaps you'd like nyc.code4lib.org to
> point somewhere?
> 
> I definitely encourage you to continue to use the code4lib discussion
> list to coordinate, announce meetings, etc, since it'll allow people
> in other regions see how you are doing.
> 
> //Ed
> 
> On Wed, Aug 13, 2008 at 1:42 PM, Joanna DiPasquale <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> (I'm writing on behalf of myself, Paul Albert, and Kevin Reiss.)
>>
>> We're writing to get your opinion on a group that we're looking to start up
>> in the New York City Metro area.  Kevin, Paul, and I are members of a
>> Metropolitan Library Council (METRO) Special Interest Group that is --
>> currently -- named "Library 2.0."  We usually meet quarterly to discuss
>> software, coding techniques, and issues facing library information
>> technology.  (Past discussion topics are available online at
>> http://www.metro.org/collaborate/index.php/Library_2.0).  Over the past year
>> or so, we've convened a really wonderful group of people who share similar
>> interests and focus.  Although we're called the Library 2.0 group, we really
>> like to come together to focus more on coding techniques and software
>> implementation.
>>
>> Many group members' attendance at the Code4Lib conference this past spring
>> helped us solidify an idea that others had discussed: we would like to start
>> up (albeit informally) a "Code4LibNYC-METRO" group or something similar.
>>  The METRO group would continue to meet, with a slight name change, and be
>> as much as possible a place for "library technologists to commune,
>> gather/create/share ideas and software, be inspired, and forge
>> collaborations," just like Code4Lib.  METRO will give us meeting space, and
>> we will extend invites as far as possible, to build a local Code4Lib group.
>>  All will be welcome.
>>
>> I know this might be a little off-topic from current discussions, but we
>> really would like to know your thoughts on this.  Are there others out there
>> looking to start up a similar "local Code4Lib group " -- or have already?
>>  (Any tips / opinions / ideas are greatly appreciated.)  Is this a good
>> idea, from your perspective?  We're hoping to start up the group in
>> September if we're on the right path.
>>
>> (Please feel free to respond to me off-list [[log in to unmask]] if you'd
>> prefer.)
>>
>> Thank you for your help!
>> Joanna, Paul, and Kevin
>>
>>
>> --
>> Joanna DiPasquale
>> Web Developer
>> Libraries Digital Program Division
>> Columbia University Libraries
>>