SEDIT-L is an unmoderated email discussion list for those interested in scholarly and documentary editing and related subjects. It provides a fast and efficient means of communicating with other editors and those overseeing and sponsoring editorial projects, allowing subscribers to share news and announcements, discuss common problems, and mobilize in response to issues of concern. It currently has about 430 subscribers and is hosted by the University of Maryland. Postings are distributed and archived automatically, and most subscription tasks handled automatically by Listserv software that is maintained by the University of Maryland. The list manager is essentially the human intermediary between Listserv and the subscribers.

The manager’s responsibilities include:

–monitoring postings as they are distributed to list members for appropriateness of content (the manager is not, however, a moderator or gatekeeper of postings; they are not submitted to the manager before
distribution)

–keeping track of the subscriber list; adding or deleting subscribers who are unaware of or having trouble with Listserv’s automatic subscribing features; deleting subscribers with invalid email addresses; and similar tasks

–responding to subscribers’ questions and comments about the list

–posting relevant materials submitted to the list on behalf of non-subscribers or those encountering difficulty with self-postings

–posting to the list about matters of general concern, especially those involving features of or problems with Listserv

–communicating with IT at Maryland about technical problems concerning the list and its subscribers

The list manager’s work requires no specialized technical knowledge, although a basic understanding of computers and networking is useful in communicating with subscribers and with the technical people at Maryland. Subscription management is done by a simple and intuitive web interface. Virtually all communication to the manager–from subscribers, from Listserv, and from Maryland’s technical staff–is via email, it is essential that the manager has regular access to email and checks it frequently. The work is not particularly time-consuming; rarely requiring more than an hour per week.

The current list manager, Martha King, will give the new manager an orientation and be available to respond to his or her questions during the transition period.

For more information or to express interest in this volunteer position, please contact mjking@princeton.edu