The LONE STAR LIBRARIAN
Winter 1995 Issue
By Micheal Harper
This is the second installment of resources available to help you find your next job. This issue will highlight some of the resources available from SLA's national headquarters. The next issue will include non-SLA resources available in Texas. Services available from the Career & Employment Services division of SLA include:
The Resume Evaluation Service is designed to help members with resume writing. There are three different levels of service available for a fee. These services range from a one page, written critique to a final master copy of your resume. The Employment Clearinghouse is a yearly networking opportunity offered at SLA's Annual Conference. The Clearinghouse provides jobseekers and employers with an opportunity to exchange information and meet one another. For those unable to attend the conference, a compilation of job openings will be sold immediately after the Conference.
The Career Advisory Service, also offered in conjunction with the Annual Conference, provides an opportunity to discuss career goals with an experienced information professional. SpeciaLine is SLA's own telephone jobline. By dialing 202-234-3623 you can listen to a prerecorded message of employment opportunities. The jobline is updated every two weeks. "Getting a Job: Tips and Techniques" is a 15 page resource guide available free to all unemployed members.
Discounts -- unemployed members currently seeking employment may take advantage of a fifty percent discount off the annual membership dues upon renewal. This discount is limited to a one year period.
To find out more about any of these resources you can call me, Micheal Harper, at 512-356-7134 or contact SLA at:
by Marilyn Redmond
On October 24-25, 20 members of the Texas Chapter staffed a booth at the SEMICON Southwest show in Austin. SEMICON is an annual trade show for companies providing the equipment and materials used in the manufacture of semiconductors, and draws thousands of attendees.
Although the show normally charges over $1000, was sold-out, and had over 60 companies on the waiting list for exhibit space, Marilyn Redmond was able to acquire exhibit space at no charge to the chapter. Thanks to Tina Byrne, Knight-Rider paid for the utility and phone lines as well as providing passwords on both Dialog and Custom Dialog to allow us to do searches.
SEMATECH loaned two laptops. Tandem covered the FedEx to ship in material from SLA. Marilyn produced a Virtual Library with an industry specific focus, and Elizabeth Halliday-Reynolds installed it in the Texas Chapter WWW space.
Together Renee Daulong and Marilyn Redmond recruited volunteers from 8 high tech companies (AMD, Applied Mat erials, IBM, Motorola, SEMATECH, Tandem, Texas Instruments, and 3M) and the University of Texas to help at the booth. Marilyn and Barbara Denton did the setup and tear down and also were at the booth for the entire two da ys of the show. The following people took two and three hours stints: Susan Ardis, Leslie Campbell, Jessica Ci ccone, Paula Day, Ed Gillen, Josh Gorelick, Pam Hanners, Micheal Harper, Dell Johnson, Marcus Kilman, Helen Man ning, Zoe May, Erika Mittag, Bob Ruliffson, Sharon Shaw, Jennifer Warhol, Olga Wise, and Molly White. Everyone wore polo or tee shirts with the logos of their company. We felt that using volunteers from the industry adde d to our effectiveness, not only because we had the domain knowledge to talk to people at the show, but because they recognized us as belonging to their world.
We spent our time explaining to passers-by what kinds of things librarians can do and why it makes economic sense to hire librarians for these jobs instead of always paying high-priced consultants to produce reports we can do more cheaply. Not everyone was receptive, but a large number of people understood for the first time what the librarian's job really is in the modern world. Our Virtual Library was a big drawing card and enables us to point out the fact that is is logical for that to be part of what a librarian does. In an unexpected side event, our neighbors, a new publication called The Inside Line, were so impressed with what they learned about librarians that they decided to do an article about the contributions librarians can make to corporations in the electronics industry.
It was hard work, but everyone who participated felt that the event was an enormous success. We recommend that the chapter carry out similar activities targeting specific industries frequently in the future.
by Erika Mittag
I am being very particular about the date on which I write this report as things have shifted considerably since my report to the Board dated October 24. As I write, major agencies of the Federal government remain shutdown due to a budget impasse between the President and Congressional leaders. One impact of this shutdown has been to stop shipment of government documents to the Federal Depository Library Program, the major means of getting government information out to the people who pay for it through their taxes. Many other issues continue to simmer and flare in the cauldron of Congressional lawmaking.
Telecommunications: Cyber-censorship issues are currently being worked on in conference with sharp concerns being raised on the Cox/Wyden and Exon/Hyde proposals by the library community and other groups. These amendments, characterized respectively as the "carrot" and the "stick" approaches to control of obscenity and pornography on the Internet, both say nothing about protecting libraries from criminal prosecution should someone accessing the Internet through their services somehow access objectionable material. ALA and others insist that current Federal and state pornography laws are sufficient and the language of both amendments is too vague and broad. Also of concern in the telecommunications bill is the Snowe-Rockefeller-Kerrey- Exxon amendment which would provide universal service language effecting affordable data connections for libraries, schools and rural health providers. The Senate language of this section of S 652 is supported by a broad coalition of public interest groups.
Restrictions on Non Profit Lobbying: The Ishtook amendment (House) and the Simpson/Craig amendment (Senate) to the Lobby Disclosure Reform bill (HR 2564) would severely restrict non-profit access to Congress by disallowing a broad array of lobbying and quasi-lobbying activities by nearly any organization receiving federal grants or aid. Again, there are current regulations which prohibit use of federal money to lobby congress and the proposed language broadens the definitions to such a degree that organizations which may receive some federal money - directly or indirectly - cannot approach congress with even "educational" information even if paying for such activities is solely funded by other non-government funding sources such as dues, donations, etc.
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA): This reorganization and simplification of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) of earlier years has positives and negatives as it is being considered in conference committee on HR 1617, the omnibus job training and adult education bill. the House version cuts back severely on support to schools and higher education institutions while the Senate version incorporates almost in total the proposals advanced by ALA and others but moves library services from the Department of Education to a new Institute of Museum and Library Services. Both versions focus on state administered programs allowing flexibility at the local level to address specific needs. They also emphasize workforce and economic development and literacy and lifelong learning while maintaining a balance between stimulating technology infrastructure in libraries and assistance to those who have special needs in regard to accessing libraries and information technologies.
NII and Intellectual Property: In September, the Commerce Department released a White Paper: Report of the Working Group on Intellectual Property Rights (a subcommittee of the Information Infrastructure Task Force). SLA joined with ALA ARL and other library organizations in requesting an analysis of the document by Arnold Lutzker with respect to its potential impact on libraries. Lutzker's report states in part: "The principal conclusion in the 238 page Report is that current laws are substantially adequate for the task of advancing the national and global information infrastructures (the "NII" and the "GII"). However, some changes to copyright law are urged to eliminate uncertainty which has materialized. The Report has a subtle but meaningful impact on libraries and educational institutions. By emphasizing the economics of copyright over the public interest in accessibility to copyrighted works, it underscores what may be the increasing difficulty of non-profit institutions to secure or grant access to works for little or no cost." I can send a complete copy of Lutzker's report via e-mail to any Lone Star librarian on request.
Slash and Burn: The Republican dominated Congress has continued to move ahead, although not at the breakneck speed of the spring, on it's perceived mandate to reduce federal spending in a variety of areas. For those in the information world, these cuts making their way through the budget process, have the feel of slash and burn. Reference to two recent articles on the impact of spending cuts on the availability of information was posted on one of the discussion lists I monitor and I reproduce the post in full:
There are two articles that you may want to read if you haven't already. They are:
The 2000 census could be much smaller and less detailed than many of its users expect. Two members of Congress, Rep. Hal Rogers and Sen. Phil Gramm will control the census budgets in an era of slashed federal spending. Rogers wants to eliminate most census questions, even those required to carry out federal laws. If data users continue taking the census for granted, he could have his way. (from the summary p. 32)
Crunching numbers isn't what it used to be given that budget cutters have targeted the government's statistics- gathering agencies. Now those agencies have less money to collect more data from an uncooperative public. (from the summary pg. 2408)
Dr. David Brin, world-famous science fiction writer and scientist, will be speaking at the Special Libraries Association Annual Conference in Boston, June 8-13, 1996. His speech is entitled Libraries and the Flow of Information -- Fundamental Changes in the 20 to 100 Years Ahead, and is scheduled for June 10, 1996 at 1:30 p.m. David Brin, Ph.D, has a triple career as scientist, public speaker and author. His novels, such as The Postman and Startide Rising, have made the New York Times Bestseller List and have won widespread literary acclaim, as well as multiple Hugo and Nebula science fiction awards. As a lecturer, Brin speaks about various aspects of technology and the human future. His 1990 novel, Earth, is widely credited as including one of the best prognostications of the world-wide data networks of tomorrow, as well as exploring the shape of environmental problems in the decade ahead.
What can a science fiction writer tell us about our profession? For any skeptics out there, Dr. Brin has some mainstream library credentials. He has spoken at two American Library Association programs. An article by him entitled "The Good and the Bad: Outlines of Tomorrow" can be found in Information Technology and Libraries March 1994, pages 53-61. In the collection Thinking Robots, an Aware Internet, and Cyberpunk Librarians appears Dr. Brin's presentation "Gaia, Freedom, and Human Nature - Some Ironies on the Way to Creating the Network of the Future" which was given at the 1992 Library and Information Technology Association President's Program. These two papers introduce some of Dr. Brin's topics with relevance for information professionals. These topics include information overload, copyright, and privacy.
To elaborate on the privacy issue, Dr. Brin's views are not the simplistic opinions some might expect. He feels that the information technology revolution means that "nothing will protect or save our privacy. It's over...laws intended to seal off our private information from prying eyes will only guarantee that those prying eyes must be rich and powerful in order to roam at will across our personal affairs. Those laws will also make certain you and I have no access at all to information about the rich and powerful, except what they choose to share...As long as the playing field is even, and everyone is subject to the same rules, perhaps privacy should be exposed as the myth that it has always been." His opposition to privacy laws is, he admits, an unpopular view. This is one example of the provocative and unexpected commentary I expect from his Boston presentation.
The main reason I am so thrilled about Dr. Brin's appearance in Boston is because I love his science fiction novels. Information and libraries are integral parts of his science fiction books. In Sundiver, he introduces his universe of the five galaxies with patron planetary races "uplifting" potentially sapient species on other worlds into civilization. The first gift to these newly civilized client races is a branch of the galactic library with its universal symbol of a spiral surrounded by rays. The plot of Sundiver hinged on the most horrific crime imaginable: someone tampering with the information in the library! In his other uplift universe books, the idea of information's importance is as much a part of the plot as his other thought-provoking concerns, such as the meaning of intelligence, environmental problems, and the ethics of genetic engineering.
Our SLA programs should offer us education, enlightenment, and excitement about our profession and the future. I know David Brin will provide all of these in his presentation. See you there!
Sandy Moltz ssm@pdd8.ae.ge.com Supervisor, GE AE Technical Information Center Chair, Conference Planning Committee SLA Sci-Tech Division [Reprinted with permission.]
Planning for the Southwest Regional Conference Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, 1996 is proceeding. A schedule for the programs have been mapped out and committee members are working to find speakers for each session.
The first day of the conference will offer an assortment of CE courses. Two chapters are working on the individual programs: Texas and San Diego. If you would like to help out or have speaker suggestions for the Texas Chapter programs contact Texas Chapter Co-Chairs:
If you have suggestions for the San Diego Chapter programs, contact the SW Regional Conference Program Coordinator, Pixey Mosley.
Track 1: Applying Technology Today 8:30 10:00 Copyright control of electronic and cd-rom formats (TEXAS) 10:00 10:30 (Break) 10:30 12:00 Techniques for working effectively with MIS (TEXAS)
12:00 1:30 Lunch speaker (tent.:Brooke Sheldon Univ. of Texas) (TEXAS) 1:30 2:00 (Break) 2:00 3:30 Handling Electronic journals: issues and practices (SAN DIEGO) 3:30 4:00 (Break) 4:00 5:30 Vendor visit time slot
Track 2: Trends of the Future 8:30 10:00 Vendor visit time slot 10:00 10:30 (Break) 10:30 12:00 e-print archives at Los Alamos (SAN DIEGO) 12:00 1:30 (Lunchsame as for track 1) 1:30 2:00 (Break) 2:00 3:30 Image databases (SAN DIEGO) 3:30 4:00 (Break) 4:00 5:30 Mass storage: formats for the future? (SAN DIEGO)
Friday, Nov. 1, 1996 Track 1: Applying Technology Today 8:30 10:00 Role of the "librarian" in a changing electronic environment (TEXAS) 10:00 10:30 (Break) 10:30 12:00 How to keep up with technology: strategies, etc. (TEXAS)
Track 2: Trends of the Future 8:30 10:00 Finding info on the Internet (Experts) SAN DIEGO) 10:00 10:30 (Break) 10:30 12:00 Multimedia: what's happening, what's next? (TEXAS)
The following are quotes and comments on "Chapter 11: Wherein the author considers the future of the library, the myth of free information and a novel way to heat bath water" of Clifford Stoll's book Silicon Snake Oil [Doubleday 1995].
"Watch out: library automation mercenaries are running a bait-and- switch operation. They promise [electronic] access to the Library of Congress and some 35 million records. Instead, they deliver an electronic card catalog and a few dozen collections, like translations of Stalin's speeches and Leonard Bernstein's papers. They've brought practically no books online. Virtual electronic library, indeed." Stoll points out that even if a user locates the title of choice in the LC online catalog, LC does not lend books - so, to the ordinary user, what's the benefit of electronic access to the catalog?
"Another reason why I don't think libraries will ever go online. Electronic media aren't archival." The problem is not the storage media but the reading mechanism. To illustrate this point Stoll tells how in 1979 he was part of the team that helped record the down- linked data as the Pioneer spacecraft flew past Saturn. "To make sure we didn't lose any of this priceless data, we saved it in four formats: 9-track magnetic tape, 7-track tape, paper tape, and punch cards." He felt like these alternates would be sufficient to make sure the data would always be readable. Fifteen years later they are in a warehouse in Tucson in FINE SHAPE, but he no longer has equipment that will read them. They probably could be converted to a more modern format, but it's a truckload of tapes! The expense!!! Now disappearing are 5 1/4 floppies SS-SD diskettes and ascii text, which may in the near future be supplanted by "a coding system better suited to non-English languages, Unicode." Future possible dinosaurs -- HTML, Fortran, BASIC. The implication here is: even if libraries go electronic, the data storage formats will often (every 20 to 30 years at best) change and require serial instances of complete data conversions. "Librarians don't have the money to constantly replicate their collections." An understatement... Stoll points out that even IF the data can be reformatted, the information access is altered, causing problems for users.
Comments: Stoll's points are not new, indeed they are old hat to librarians and teachers, but I hope that the general public will read Stoll's book and other resources, and be aware of these ideas while considering the benefits of the various proposals affecting the Information Superhighway.
Dell Johnson
Stoll uses the above expression from Thomas Mann of the Library of Congress to describe the possibility that scholars may begin to "choose easily available sources, even when they are low-quality." "Ease of use is more important that content" to some people. Stoll says lazy researchers may not use the multiple sources, multiple approaches which take time and work but which result in more accurate conclusions. Stoll says that limited library budgets are better spent on printed resources and librarians than on electronic "gizmos" and network access fees if good research is a goal.
by Rich Dreifuss
The glass models of the "Pesticus Libraricus" represent the chapter's early history. Over the years, evolutionary forces have brought significant changes, resulting in new outlooks but also new and more virulent strains. Unlike 50 years ago, our intellectual model is no longer based on taxonomy, Latin is not our language of reference, and books no longer play the central role in our libraries. Today, the bugs that bother us are not of the insect variety, but instead are those pertaining to software code. In fact, no longer do we write articles and create glass figurines, rather we create lists.
Top Ten List - Banes of 1995 Special Librarians
Systems experts who just "don't get it" when it comes to library needs. They are the originators of the two most dreaded and incongruous messages to appear on our monitors - "The computer is down" and "Have a nice day."
Staff who spend entire days glued to their PCs, surfing the Net, becoming expert in the use of Knowbots, Gophers, Archies, and Veronicas. Unfortunately these people are MUCH too busy to do any work.
Users who demand their own Dialog/STN passwords and insist on doing their own database searching, in spite of only knowing about 3 databases and 4 commands.
People who attend meetings of OCLC, ALA, SLA, ARL, SUNY, and IFLA. They report back the latest on HTML, CD-ROMs, RISC, GUIs, TULIPs, BBSs, VTLS, RLIN, LCSH, and OPACs.
Administrators who control librarians' careers, control library budgets, and represent library interests - despite having no background or interest in libraries.
Those who believe that the road to success, respect and fame for Special Libraries is assured only by packaging our information correctly.
Colleagues who believe that patrons should not be bothered to define their information needs. To be a good information provider, you only need to overload everyone's mailbox with electronic texts.
A tactic used by online services and other information providers to justify their pricing algorithms so that users never understand what it is they're paying for.
Corporate staff who require you to document all of your processes, to satisfy all customer demands, and to plaster colorful charts and graphs on library walls. You are also asked to do this with a "right-sized" staff, reduced by 50%.
The popular notion that the Internet quickly and easily provides ALL users with access to ALL available information at no cost to anyone - consequently ALL libraries should be disbanded at once.
The text of the overhead used in the talk given by Eugenie Prime of HP Labs at the October 27th Texas Chapter Meeting
"The world's economy has shifted from one built on materials to one governed by information . In the past, those who controlled materials like gold and oil governed all. In the information age, those who wield information will shape the world."
As work becomes increasingly information intensive,
organizational success will depend more and more on giving each
individual contributor needed information at the right place at the
right time and in the right form.
Arno Penzias "Ideas and Information:"
Managing in a High Tech World
"We are just beginning to raise the vital question, "What
information do I need and in what form, and when?" I am not
suggesting that we ignore development in hardware and software.
But I am saying that, increasingly, hardware and software are going
to be less important than the use we make of them in refining and
exploiting information."
- Peter F. Drucker
"Coming of the New Organization"
"Computer Science Is Dead!"
"What is needed today is a better understanding of how to organize and present information, and how people use that information once they have it.
The focus of research should shift to social scientists,
psychologists and librarians - Computer scientists, ...tend to
think of what's in a computer as data rather than information.
They need the help of librarians, who have been organizing
information since the Egyptian dynasties."
- San Jose Mercury News 8/21 - "What the on-line world really needs
is an old-fashioned librarian"
"The proliferation of electronic databases represents of "full
employment act" for librarians, because their expertise is needed --
and will be for years -- to navigate the often confusing world of
databases"
-Taken from SFO Chronicle, August 28, 1994
Paul Saffo, Director Institute for the Future.
What Went Wrong?
How do we make it right?
"Everytime I figure out where it's at, ... somebody moves
it.
- Ziggy
"Sense-making Role"
"If you do not keep your intellectual capital refreshed, it
erodes."
- "Brainpower" Fortune, June 1991
New Information Systems - Manager's Competency Model
*************************** Empowerment ************************
* *
* Managing Self Managing Inside the Unit *
* Being a leader Setting objectives *
* Managing priorities Motivating *
* Changing roles and letting Developing staff through *
* go delegating and coaching *
C I
O (Maintaining Appropriate (Balancing Technical and N
M Technical Competence) Managerial Tasks) F
M L
U = NEW MANAGERS = U
N = FOR THE 90's = E
I N
C (Communicating Technology's (Relating Technology C
A Contribution to the Enterprise) to Corporate Strategy) E
T *
I Managing Outside the Unit Understanding the Business *
O *
N Human networking Strategies and tactics *
* Representing unit to others Projects, customers, and *
* Internal marketing and competition *
?
* consulting Strengths, weaknesses, *
* opportunities, and *
* threats *
* *
*************************** Expertise ****************************
Taking Charge of Change:
"How does one become a butterfly?"
"You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up
being a caterpillar."
"You mean...to die?"
"Yes and no. What looks like you will die, but what's really
you will still live. Life is changed, not taken away. Isn't
if different from those who die without ever becoming
butterflies?"
- from Hope for the Flowers, by Trina Paulus
by Barb West
Eugenie Prime, Manager of Corporate Libraries at Hewlett- Packard Alto, California
Dr. Larry Enoch, Manager of the MCI Library in Richardson. Texas
Eugenie Prime and Larry Enoch reminded some of us of our favorite teachers -- the ones who grabbed our attention with vivid images and made even the practical stuff fun; the ones we met for coffee and kept for friends long after our three hours a week in their classes were over. Prime set the tone with an allegory about Moses' first sight of the Promised Land. "He sent twelve functional managers ahead to check it out...They came back and said, yes, it really is the land of milk and honey, but the people there are like giants and we are like grasshoppers! All except two, who said, 'But we can conquer those giants.'" The MIS people have walked into that promised land, while librarians, its natural heirs, continue to wander in the desert. What went wrong, Prime asked, and how can we make it right?
Part of it may arise from leaps in technology. "The boys are enamored of their toys." Not only that, but "everybody's searching," in part because the MIS crowd has successfully promoted the conduits of information rather than the content. Librarians have lost some of their mystique, and face competition not only from MIS but from Johnny-Come- Lately g roups like SCIP, many of whose members are former CIA personnel. We librarians have been hol ding ourselves back, Prime added. We suffer from professional agoraphobia and practice professional incest. We fear the "P" words -- Power, Politics, and Presentation. We need to get out of the libraries, talk to our clients, tell people who we are and why we do what we do.
She cited the recently announced PR campaign to boost the i mage of CPAs as more than bean counters. "This is what SLA should be doing for us," she decl ared. Instead of reacting to stereotypical images, Bender and the national SLA board should b e acting proactively and aggressively to spread the word about our core competencies. But, Prime ca utioned, it's up to us individually as well. Librarians understand the information landscape and inform ation-seeking behavior. Some of our clients and potential clients are beginning to realize that too ls and toys are not enough to navigate the information highway, but we cannot afford to wait for them to c ome to us. We need to be ready to take advantage of opportunities, to have a vision and plan for it but b e able to dump plans if it makes sense to do so.
One of those opportunities might be to collaborate with MIS to design tools and create interfaces based on what we know about information vs. data and human behavior. Ours is the sense-making role. We may not be able to create the future, Prime concluded, but we can enable it.
Participants then broke into small groups to brainstorm on how client's needs could be expected to change during the next five years. Key areas identified when w e regrouped were the expectation of 24-hour service, a greater expectation of information filter ing and analytical work as well as new delivery formats. Prime then asked us to form groups again, se lect one change, and identify signals that thesechanges were coming. Participants spoke of customers going elsewhere for information, requests already coming in via e-mail and voice at all hours, com plaints of information overload, and organizational change of any kind. External signals included technological leaps and government regulation or deregulation.
During the second session, Larry Enoch announced that he h ad renamed his presentation on the "virtual library" to parallel Prime's arresting imagery. The new title was "Suiting up for the Promised Land." Enoch opened with the statement, "The corporate library is going up or down -- there's no room for the middle ground any more." The virtual library i s not the solution to changing a downward spiral to an upward one; it must evolve as a business u nit also.
Enoch's definition of a virtual library is one that is virtu ally anywhere (on a desktop, on a laptop in an airplane, etc.) and accessible by virtually anyone withi n the organization but that has no physical location. "Virtually everything is electronic, so any person on the network can get data regardless of where it resides."
As an example, during his presentation he included slide s showing Lotus Notes used as a front end for library services and information dissemination within the organization. The requirements for a virtual library are a robust LAN, sufficient funds and technolo gy, enterprise-wide cooperation and a common vision of that it is to be, and -- a virtual librarian to build it.
Seconding Prime's message, Enoch said of librarians: "We have the big picture; we understand information-seeking behavior; and we [know how to] build systems based on the user's needs." Essential qualities for the virtual librarian to develop ar e technical awareness and savvy, a commitment to being a team player, an "iron skin" because of the certainty of competition from MIS, and mobility. The virtual librarian must get out of the li brary or the librarian's office and become visible to users.
Among technologies to consider, said Enoch, are video and sound options, "virtual reality" for interactive consultations with remote users, (perhaps via videoconferencing,) the Internet and its constant evolution, and groupware for realtime data sharing. The first impact of the virtual library should be a behavior change on behalf of the users as they switch 66rom paper to electronic copies. This will affect the way information is used, creating greater em powerment of users, increased efficiency, and ultimately a paradigm shift in how information is used. T here will be obstacles. Expect fierce resistance from existing platforms sponsored by MIS. It will be difficult to convince skeptics, especially in management. And as always, there will be the "money-hungry bean counters." To help combat the obstacles, Enoch offered a summary of reasons why lib raries are currently under fire:
Old philosophy within the profession. We have failed t o make the most of our library business and we have not reached out beyond "our" business. We're still viewed stereotypically as a group, in part owing to this old philosophy restricting our business t o putting books on the shelf of a physical facility, and traditional reference styles in getting informati on to people.
"Streamlining kills libraries restricting themselves to this philo sophy of reaction," Enoch emphasized. He followed with an "enemies list": management, outsourcers, inf ormation providers who don't even try to sell to the library before approaching management, MIS departm ents, the Internet, and, once again, ourselves, "by poor presentation, team avoidance, profession al agoraphobia, and so on." Instead of responding with circulation counts and other user statistics to j ustify our existence when threatened, we need to become a business within a business. Specifically , Enoch suggested:
In closing, Enoch said, these should be our credos:
President Gail Wilson called the meeting to order at 7:35pm
Gail read the first report from Dell Johnson, Newsletter Editor. She reported that the Lone Star Librarian is now mailed from Houston where a contract with Pitney-Bowes is in effect and the bulk mail permit is active. She indicated that to save money she is willing to mail from Austin using volunteers. The Board/Council agreed that Dell should check out costs of this transfer - postage, permit fees, etc.
Susan Yancey presented information on the spring meeting in Austin, March 23 (Saturday) at the Doubletree Guest Suites (15th & Austin); tentative speakers are Futures Group on "competitive intelligence" and Guy St. Claire with topic to be determined.
Bob Ruliffson reported a $19,556.31 balance on October 26th. With income (7/1/95 - 10/26/95) of $3,446.00 and expenses of $5,211.48. Bob prepared a report on estimated income versus estimated expenses for the 95/96 year. Discussion resulted in lowering the estimated advertising income from $4000 to $1500. This change covered his forecast of money in the bank in June 1996 to $5000. However, historically only 60% of the budgeted expenses have actually been incurred. Headquarters recommends having one year of operating income as a reserve, but in practice, this ranges from zero to 80 percent. The Board/Council recommends holding costs down where possible - i.e. using volunteers for mailing newsletter.
Bob strongly suggested that LPGs need to make sure they don't overspend and perhaps even generate income by charging to cover heavy expenses.
Gail introduced Judy Jennings, the new SLA Texas Chapter Affirmative Action Chair.
Gail read Tripp Wyckoff's report revealing that the newsletter only has one yearly contract (Majors), but he is working on 2 more. Seven vendors advertised in the last newsletter (Information America, Lexis/ Nexis, Ebsco, Dialog, IRS and Dow Jones). Tripp lined up 14 vendors for the fall conference for a total of $1700. He is interested in getting vendor support for the Chapter Membership List as another source of revenue. Gail reported that this vendor support along with registration from 87-89 people will make this fall conference a profitable one.
Bob read Micheal Harper's report announcing her resignation and reporting on 13 job openings July - October and 34 jobseekers (down from 42 in July). Six openings were in Dallas/Fort Worth, two in San Antonio, two in Austin and others scattered. Several people at the meeting said they would be making job opening announcements at the meeting on Friday. Dow Jones has an opening in Dallas and a headhunter also has a position in Dallas.
Gail read a detailed report from Erika Mittag. See the full text of Erika's report, updated for this issue, as a separate article
Una Goulay presented information about the work of the IRL committee which includes an International Visitors Reception and a panel discussion (Managing Information in Multinational Corporations) at the 1996 annual SLA conference. As a member of the IFLA Standing Committee of the Section on Document Supply and Interlibrary Lending, she also reported on the 61st IFLA Conference in Istanbul in August. Her committee is working on a voucher scheme for interlibrary lending, international fax guidelines, inter- lending and document delivery in developing countries, and a project to assist interlibrary cooperation by identifying union catalogs throughout the world. New publications from IFLA are: Guidelines to Centres of International Lending (available from IFLA UAP office at the British Library's Document Supply Centre) and the booklet National Libraries of the World.
Rather than hiring an outside firm for the survey, Blaise Turney is incorporating it into her doctoral program. Blaise distributed a draft copy of the membership survey which attempts to gather information on attitudes, opinions, and needs of the memberships. She asked the Board/Council to review the draft and return the copies to her with comments within two weeks.
Gail presented Andrea Greer's report which opens with the statement that no one has sent her a review of their committee's progress toward the goals in the 1993-96 Strategic Plan along with recommended additions or deletions of goals and new long-range goals with steps to accomplish them. Gail admonished Board and Council members to make this review as soon as possible; she will provide copies of Andrea's report to everyone to utilize in this review.
Leslie Campbell reported that the Chapter had 591 members in July but 50 were reported on the fall "dropped" list from headquarters. She will send a list to each LPG and ask them to contact people who did not renew their memberships.
Gail was happy to report on the Texas Chapter Home Page at http://www.eden.com/~texassla Everyone was delighted to hear about this accomplishment by Elizabeth Halliday- Reynolds. Elizabeth's report on the Home Page revealed four sections - calendar of events, other noteworthy Texas SLA events (i.e. SEMICON Southwest Conference), links to select SLA sites, and the Lone Star Librarian. Elizabeth plans to add an on-line form for members to update their entry in our membership directory and to add the Chapter mission statement. She wants feed back from everyone about broadcasting employment opportunities!! Also, please keep her informed of any Chapter related activities in your area attention LPG chairs and Student Liaisons!
Doug Smith reported that he is working with Susan Yancey on the Spring meeting. Gail remarked that he had worked hard to identify the best hotel for this fall meeting. Board/Council members from out of town expressed appreciation of the hotel site at the airport.
Gail also read this short report by Renee Daulong. She said that she mailed Austin LPG announcements about the Tom Davenport session to the State Agency Librarians of Texas and to the Austin Area Law Librarians. She also worked with Marilyn Redmond on the Texas Chapter booth at the SEMICON Southwest trade show in Austin.[See Semicon SW booth article in this issue.]
Nancy Cash reported problems such as the hotel is not big enough, vendors don't have enough phone & electrical outlets, and overflow hotels are 11/2 miles away with no shuttle service. However, she did say that there will be someone in Albuquerque soon to deal with these problems. She also reported that there will be a Middle Management Course and several other CE courses. Texas is responsible for four speakers on the topic of "keeping up with technology". Board/Council members mentioned three to four possible speakers.
Barbara Denton reported that she made a presentation to about 200 students at the UT-GSLIS fall orientation. She assisted with the meeting of the student chapter and attended the fall hors d'oeuvres party at the home of the faculty sponsor. Two students are attending Friday's meeting with hotel stay for one night paid from student liaison's budget.
Margaret Carroll read Ben Toon's report. He attended two open houses one at UNT on September 18 and one at TWU on September 28. Future plans include a visit on November 3rd to libraries at the Dallas Museum of Art, law firm of Jenkins & Gilchrist and the EPA. On November 15th, a colloquium at UNT will feature Tim Raines, Project Manager from the Microsoft Libraries. A student from each school will be attending Friday's meeting.
Susan Browning reported that meetings are nearly impossible since most of the 100 students are employed full-time.
The report from Michael Harper & Zoe May revealed that 34 people attended an Aug. 17 meeting at Sematech featuring Tom people attended an Aug. 17 meeting at Sematech featuring Tom Davenport. The Austin Group also helped staff the Information Professional booth at the SEMICON Southwest show on October 24th and 25th. The Austin Group is inviting non-members to their meetings and have signed up one new member already. Both chairs are looking for new employment opportunities so there will be some future changes; however, the lists of events scheduled include `Future of Libraries" panel in November, Christmas party, class on intellectual property in January and a tour of new AMD library in Feb.
Margaret Carroll discussed the Sept. 14th meeting with 60 attendees to hear Dr. Yvonne Chandler speak about the UNT Library School and steps they are taking to keep the program current, Dr. Larry Enock (MCI network library director) shared steps their library is taking to be a leader in the organization, and Margaret Carroll walk them through an Information Audit. Future plans are: December - Christmas party; February - Competitor intelligence; March - Presentation skills workshop; and April - Strategic planning workshop.
Susan Yancey mentioned that 19 people attended the tour of the Houston Public Library Government Documents Division.
Marilyn Redmond's interesting report on this trade show closed the report presentations (See her full report as a separate article in this issue. --ed.).
At this point, Margaret Carroll suggested that committee reports be distributed to the entire Board on email. Everyone agreed that this procedure would be a time saver; Gail asked that reports for the March 23rd meeting be out by March 1st or 2nd. Gail also said that there would be no business meeting on Friday, but she would make announcements at convenient intervals. She requested and received approval of Chris Daubson for nominating chair. Blaise asked about renaming the LPGs, and it was suggested that there be a naming contest in 1996. The Board approved Bob Guz as auditor; he is the person who also audited the books last year.The meeting adjourned at 9:59 p.m. Attendees were: Gail Wilson, Connie Bihon, Doug Smith, Susan Yancey, Bob Ruliffson, Marilyn Redmond, Margaret Carroll, Blaise Turney, Una Gourlay, Barbara Denton, Nancy Cash, Judy Jennings.
Submitted by: Connie S. Bihon, Texas Chapter Secretary
1995 Montreal annual conference attendance set 2 association records: total r egistration 6505 (previous record 6348 at 1989 New York City conference) and 435 exhibit booths, up from 421 in 1993 Cincinnati.
Professional papers have been published in The Power of Information: Transforming the World, $25 to members.
The Value of Corporate Libraries by Matarazzo and Prusak, surveying 103 corporat e libraries and available to members for $5, describes evaluation tools, valued competencies , desired future services, and trends impacting libraries value to their companies. Call 202-23 4-4700 ext. 643.
SLA s Distance Learning Program Issues Concerning Electronic Copyright will be broadcast in Dallas on 9-21-95.
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