Minnesota Library Association

Academic and Research Libraries Division

 

Minutes of the Board Meeting of June 13, 2003

 

Present: James Caufield, Karen Docherty, Julie Kelly (chair), Jane Ann Nelson, Jim Newsome

 

Julie Kelly called the meeting to order at 12:30pm .  The agenda was adopted, and the minutes of the meeting of May 9, 2003 were approved.

 

Old Business:

 

1) The MLA Annual Meeting, upcoming in September, was discussed.  Julie distributed our list of approved and accepted programs, with the time slots, and the working titles, abstracts, and names of presenters.  We now have the time slots we requested, with minimal overlap of programs.  The scheduling of moderators for each session was discussed.  It was decided not to list the moderators in the official program, as they might change at the last minute, and who introduces each session is not integral to the content of each session.  However, the following people were assigned to introduce the following programs: Revisting Core Values: Julie K.; Library Lessons from abroad: Laurel;  From Data to Decisions: Karen D.; Adopt a Librarian: James C.; Recruiting the Next Generation: Jim N.; Special collections at the U of M: Julie K.; Strategic Marketing: Karen D.; Best business Websites: Jane Ann N.; How Do they see us?: James C.;

 

The Board then discussed publicity for the Fall conference.  Karen will distribute basic ARLD program session information to Academic librarians.  She will do this via the ARLD list, the MINITEX distribution list, and will also ask Alison Johnson to put it on the MLA ARLD webpage.  She will create this publicity piece as soon as possible.  In addition, in early August, she will distribute a flyer/reminder to register, which will go to the MINITEX Minnesota academic libraries, and will be suitable for posting.

 

The Board discussed the possibility of having a Professional Table in the exhibits area at the conference.  We decided that we do not have time to create anything meaningful for such a table at this time. It was also unclear just what would be the best way(s) to make use of such a table.  Perhaps as another venue for gathering input from members?  For disseminating information? It would probably not be a viable medium for recruitment, as attendees would either be members already, or else work in other types of libraries. However, we do see possibilities for a table in the future.  Therefore discussion of an ARLD table was tabled until we can get input from members on best possible uses for such a table.

 

We then discussed administering a survey to learn the needs and wishes of current ARLD members. The survey could ask for input from members on what and/or how they want ARLD to engage with current library issues, and user needs.  It was suggested that questions might be used to gather information on what issues members are grappling with, as well as what directions members would like to see ARLD pursue. It was also suggested that we query members on things like how to better use our list serv, and web page.  The group reached consensus that there should be a brief number of open-ended questions in the survey. It should be easy to take, and easy to tabulate.  Karen agreed to create anddistribute it and then tally the results. If we did get a hugely overwhelming response, she will ask for our help, and Newsome agreed to assist if needed.  The Board agreed that it would be a good idea to have the survey results to share at the business meeting in Rochester .  We also agreed that there was insufficient time to create the survey with the time remaining at our June Board meeting.  We therefore agreed that each board member would send Karen 3 potential survey questions by July 4th.   She would then collate them, order them, and e-mail them back to us for any final input.  We will then agree on approximately 3-5 open-ended type questions for the final survey.  Karen will then send out the survey via the ARLD listserv. 

 

2) Vacancy on the ARLD Board- As a result of the resignation of Karen Fischer, we now have a vacancy on the Board.  Julie Kelly has become both the acting chair for the remainder of this year, and the regularly scheduled Chair for 2004, when we will have a vacancy in the “Past-Chair” position.  What to do? The bylaws do not explain how to rectify these circumstances.  It was decided to not elect or appoint a new board member at this time, as the board seems able to handle its near-term duties with the current members on board.  However, after much discussion, the Board agreed to ask the membership at our business meeting in September for a volunteer to take on a one-year term as a third member-at-large for the Board. This person could be the Board coordinator for local ARLD sponsored programs such as the Instructional Dialogs, but would not have to actually attend the local sessions in order to do the coordination. After the 2004 year, the problem would resolve itself with the regular turnover in officers.

 

3) Instructional Dialogues-future plans - There is money left in the budget for more local instructional dialogues, like the ones done in the Twin Cities and in Mankato during the past year or so.  We need a Board coordinator to get the word out on the availability of ARLD support, and to help any interested local groups follow the necessary parameters to obtain MLA funding for the workshops.  Jane Ann Nelson agreed to be coordinator for the summer.  Julie will take over this role in the Fall, until such time as we appoint our one year member-at-large who can do this in 2004, assuming we can again obtain ongoing funds from MLA.  James Caufield agreed to check on possible interest for doing one of these sessions in the St. Cloud area.

 

4) ARLD Day 2003-Duluth.  Jane Ann has sent out the thank you notes, and the reimbursement checks have also been mailed. The ARLD web page now includes many of the presentations from that event.

 

5) Legislative Update – No Report

 

New Business

 

6) ARLD Day, 2004 – We began to discuss possible locations for the 2004 ARLD Day.  Julie Kelly recommended that we investigate holding it at the Landscape Arboretum Library in Chanhassen. The Board agreed, and Julie will contact the librarian at the Arb, and will report back to us at the August meeting.

 

7) ACRL National Conference in Minneapolis in 2005.  Three ARLD Board    members have agreed to serve on the local arrangements planning committee: Karen Docherty, Julie Kelly, and Jim Newsome.  Others may be called upon to serve on sub-committees at a later time.

 

8) Fall meeting dates were set:  all Fridays – and all from 2:45-4:45pm .  October 10th, November 14th, and December 12th.

 

9) Ideas for Betty McCollum and Mark Dayton session(s) at MLA Fall Conference.  We discussed the talking points/position paper that James C. has agreed to write, for possible research use by Dayton and/or McCollum.  The Board decided that he should concentrate on issues of interest to academic libraries.  Among them are copyright concerns, the U.S. Patriot Act as it pertains to libraries and privacy, Privatizing of Government information, the tightening up of classification of government information with subsequent lack of citizen access to information, and other relevant issues.  It was suggested that points be written in a concise, bulleted style for ease of understanding and focus, and that each issue be about a paragraph in length.  James is planning to have a draft of this to us by the end of June so we will have ample to time for feedback.

 

10) Planning for the future of ARLD.  Several ideas were floated as to possible future directions for ARLD in its pursuit of enhanced services to members.  The upcoming survey was again mentioned as a venue for members to supply feedback.  In addition, the annual business meeting worked well for this process last year. One possibility is an ARLD hot topics page on our web site.  Another proposal was to look into joint activities with Wisconsin ’s academic librarians.  Jane Ann mentioned that several badger librarians attended Academic Librarians Day in Duluth .  Jane Ann will bring the registration list from Duluth , to see where all attendees came from.

 

James Caufield invited us to have a future meeting of the Board in his stomping grounds in St. Cloud .  The board was open to the possibility and will revisit it later.

 

The next meeting of the Board is scheduled for Monday, August 25th at Augsburg College Library at 2:45pm .

 

11) The meeting adjourned at 2:30pm

 

Faithfully submitted,

Jim Newsome, Secretary