| Volume 34, Number 2 | Fall 2003 |
Greetings, MAHD members and readers of our Division's first electronic Bulletin!
Our membership voted at the New York conference to publish the Bulletin electronically, as most other divisions are doing. Our editor, Stephanie Orphan, checked on the guidelines with SLA HQ, and helped us embark on this new path. We mentioned in the last printed Bulletin that anyone who wants a paper copy could request one.
Perhaps you members reading electronically may wish to contact by telephone some of your MAHD colleagues to ensure that they remain in contact with us. Let them know how to subscribe to our listserv, how to request a printed version of the Bulletin, or help them with other Division issues. We certainly do not want to lose communication with any member. This Bulletin was mentioned in the survey conducted by JoAn Segal as one of the principal benefits of MAHD membership. It will continue to be a valuable communication tool as long as we members contribute our ideas and news to it, and all members have access to its content. Please do not wait for Stephanie or myself to ask for your input. Feel free to send in your news, a brief article, commentary, or other contributions to share with colleagues.
It is late October when I am writing this message to you, and wildfires are sweeping through Southern California. With all of our technological advances, we remain at the mercy of Mother Nature. The disaster preparedness and recovery program MAHD offered in New York was very informative and helpful. I encourage you to read the article "Scared or Prepared? Disaster Planning Makes the Difference," written by one of our speakers, Laurie Bolger, which was published in July's Information Outlook. None of us can afford not to have an emergency plan at hand, with resources to contact for help during the emergency and its aftermath. We hope we never have to utilize this plan, but too many of us have already faced fires, floods, earthquakes, or even terrorism.
I hope that many MAHD members are planning to join us at next June's Nashville conference. Even if you don't like country music, you will enjoy being at Opryland, which is actually a resort quite like Disneyland. Nashville also has great art museums, excellent universities, important historical sites, and great natural beauty.
Here are some of things planned for Nashville:
There are other interesting and educational programs planned, as well as times for networking and fellowship. I do hope you will join us in Nashville.In January I will attend the Winter Meeting in Albuquerque where I expect to hear about SLA news and activities. I'll report on that in the next issue. Remember to contact me anytime with ideas or suggestions. Best regards to all members!
2004 William B. Neff Scholarship
The role of the librarian as a keeper of the society's culture
The William B. Neff Conference Attendance Award will be awarded to a student member of the division. The award consists of a stipend to cover up to $1,000 toward the expense of conference attendance.
Any student member of the division who is currently enrolled ina graduate library/information science program is eligible. The award is specifically for conference attendance and the winner is required to attend the 2004 Annual Conference in Nashville, TN.
Requirements:
An essay (typed, double-spaced) of 500-1,000 words on the topic: "Discuss the role of the librarian as a keeper of the society's culture."
All applications are due by April 1, 2004.
Send to:
Ann Shea
California African American Museum
600 State Dr.
Exposition Park
Los Angeles, CA 90037
Surf’s Up!: California Surf Museum
by Kenneth Schlesinger
The California Surf Museum is located in Oceanside, a sleepy, medium-sized coastal city north of San Diego, adjacent to Camp Pendleton, a major marine training center. Founded in 1986, the modest storefront is in the heart of the ocean Deco district, an uneasy architectural cross between Miami’s South Beach and Atlantic City.
Surfing was introduced to Southern California from Hawaii in about 1907, and has had an enormous impact on the development of beach culture, its language, fashion, and music. Unfortunately, due to constant change in Southern California, and overzealous development of the coastline, a lot of these early remnants and traditions have been disappearing. The mission of the California Surf Museum is to document, preserve, and celebrate artifacts of the sport of surfing, and to investigate its influence on this particular region.
Admission is free. One enters directly into the gift shop, which offers postcards, posters, videotapes, Hawaiian shirts, and related memorabilia. In addition to the permanent exhibits, there are special installations that change twice a year. During my visit I viewed a tribute to surfing photographer “Doc” Ball, inventor of a 27-pound waterproof camera, who published the first book on surfing photography in 1946. Given his intimate knowledge of the sport, his sense of timing the dramatic moment is unsurpassed.
Ongoing exhibits, browsed with curiosity by visiting surfers and the general public, honor surfing champions such as Duke Kahanamoku, Hawaiian Olympic swimmer and stuntman, considered the King and gentleman ambassador of the aloha spirit (surfing protocol). Other cases feature early women pioneers, development of surf clubs, and transportation challenges during World War II gas rationing. A fascinating display of surfboards traces their evolution from heavy redwood platters to hollow-bodied innovations to more refined, contemporary balsa and fiberglass combinations.
In addition, the Surf Museum sponsors film screenings, lectures, and panel discussions with early practitioners (an oral history program would probably be helpful). It has also partnered with other institutions to develop exhibitions. Plans call for expansion and increased access to its research library of out-of-print surfing titles. Museum volunteers actively solicit long-term loans and donations of surfing memorabilia to enhance collections and recount vanishing traditions.
After Oceanside’s Mission San Luis Rey, the California Surf Museum is the city’s most popular attraction, with over 22,000 annual visitors. If you find yourself in Southern California—Hang Ten, Dude!—consider visiting this unique repository.
California Surf Museum
223 North Coast Highway
Oceanside, California 92054
760/721-6876
www.surfmuseum.org
Report from MAHD International Librarian Travel Award Recipient
by Maria Luisa Calanag
Maria
Luisa Calanag, former Documentalist of the Delegation of the European Commission
in the Philippines and presently a PhD student at the Graduate School of Information
and Media Studies, University of Library and Information Science in Japan, reports
on the highlights of conference activities she participated in chronologically,
and on useful experiences gained as an International Librarian Travel Award
Recipient of the SLA's Museums, Arts and Humanities Division (MAHD).
Introduction
Skies were clear and, before landing, I got a fantastic view of Manhattan—a really good sign of what was to come. It was the beginning of another learning adventure that took me to "The City" itself, a place that looks so very familiar from the thousands of Hollywood movies I have seen. I was finally able to be part of it, if for only a week, because the 94th Annual Conference of the Special Libraries Association was being held there.
First day (June 7)
On the ground it was either cloudy or rainy, but that did not stop me, among the myriads of tourists, from exploring the city on foot. Using the Empire State Building as a landmark, I walked all the way from Union Square (where my hotel was located) towards the Hilton to register, go over the program, and make conference plans. I could not get a ticket to the SLA's city tour that night, and ended up watching my first of two musicals, "Aida," a "must-do" anyway in NYC (the other musical was "Hairspray," which won most of the major awards at the Tony's).
Second day (June 8)
Sunday morning, with the sun out after almost three weeks of rain (according to the tour guide), I joined a city bus tour that included a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. After that, my first official task was to attend the MAHD Board Meeting that afternoon. I started associating names that I have been corresponding with to the faces. I introduced myself to the group somewhat feeling myself around, but the officers made me comfortable at once. They told me that I could prepare a report for the Division's Bulletin, talk about my research and work experiences during MAHDness night, and do a lot of networking. After the meeting, we headed together for the International Reception. I met mostly Asian people, who came originally from other parts of the world but are now based in the U.S. Having no time to waste, I was able to catch the night tour bus, crossing Manhattan Bridge to Brooklyn. It was chilly but the night view was worth it.
Third day (June 9)
A full week ahead. It was the official opening of the exhibitions and so I looked around until it was time for the Opening General Session featuring David McCullough, Pulitzer prize-winning author. From his talk, I gathered inspirational bits of advice for my own research writing. He said, "Information isn't learning;" "History ought to be literature;" and that "Writing focuses the mind."
From the Hilton, I rushed to the Marriott for the MAHD-sponsored William B. Neff/ Book and Author Luncheon, with a panel of four popular mystery writers whose favorite setting for crime scenes is New York City. The authors included Parnell Hall, who even sang an original composition of his, husband and wife Martin and Annette Meyers, and S.J. Rozan. It was a very stimulating discussion (the sumptuous lunch was a bonus). I still have to find time though to read their books.
After lunch, while waiting for the next MAHD session, I attended the session on metadata standards. The MODS (Metadata Object Description Schema) discussed by Rebecca Guenther was something new to me. The well-attended MAHD session that discussed disaster preparedness had three speakers talk on how to prepare a plan for staff, protection from water damage, fire safety, and more. Their practical advice all sounded like common sense but these are usually the things we take for granted. They emphasized the "life and death" importance of preparing well in advance, by enumerating several checklists. I met there two colleagues from El Salvador who were introduced to me by Ms. McPhail.
That evening, I decided to attend the Information Futurists Caucus (KINF) Meeting, which was very informal. They were talking about possible topics for next year's conference. Unfortunately I missed the program they had organized for NYC, which had Dr. Ken Thibodeau of the National Archives and Records Administration speaking about the current state of the art and new directions in digital preservation, which is my research area in Japan.
After that, I was planning on attending the Open House of the Advertising and Marketing Division, for I was sure I knew some people there, but went mistakenly into the room next to it, which happened to be the SLA Library School Alumni Reunion. I enjoyed it nevertheless, and met more people there. However, the night was not over yet as I had been told by Ms. McPhail earlier that I could show up at the Dialog Party that night, which was really "out-of-this-world" to say the least.
Fourth day (June 10)
I finally learned how to use the subway, because I had to be there early for the Breakfast Business Meeting of the MAHD. I was introduced to the group, and the Board discussed the usefulness of extending for another year the MAHD conference travel award for an international librarian. The motion was unanimously approved, in line with SLA's internationalization thrust, I guess.
Next came the general session featuring futurist Stewart Brand, whose talk focused on my research interest, digital preservation. I was not anticipating this topic, but I guess we cannot really go forward into the future without considering the past. After the talk, I had some free time to sneak into a standing-room only session of the Electronic Journals session, and to check out the SLA Marketplace, the Internet Room (but always the queues were long), and some exhibition booths.
In the afternoon, I took the bus to the Cooper-Hewitt Museum to attend a session on a digitization project of the Smithsonian Libraries. I stayed for a while to talk to the other people present and went back taking the bus along Museum Line and Central Park to attend the Networking Reception organized by exhibitors.
Then, it was MAHDness time and Eliza Robertson did a great job moderating the informal discussions with an interesting array of people. I talked about my work background and current research activities related to preservation. After that, were the MAHD Open House and Reception heldd in conjunction with the Social Science Division and Education Division. I thought the night would never end.
Fifth day (June 11)
In lieu of attending the MAHD meeting with the new Board, I was invited to the International Information Exchange Caucus (KIIE), which was a full house too, and got the chance to finally meet an acquaintance and fellow Filipino, Ms. Grace Villamora, who was there as International Relations Chair of the Advertising and Marketing Division. Before I was invited, I was not aware of this Caucus and that an Asian Chapter exists. I intently listened to the discussions on SLA's activities and plans for global outreach, but somehow could not visualize yet how SLA could be another IFLA.
The much-awaited keynote address of Dr. Madeleine Albright was truly one of the conference highlights, followed by the Annual Business Meeting. This was the most exciting business meeting I had ever attended in my life, as the very name of the association was at stake. The afternoon was for walking around visiting bookstores as I did not have a ticket for the MAHD tour and program at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Sixth day (June 12)
A whole day tour of Historic Hudson Valley, specifically in the area which was formerly Sleepy Hollow Country, immortalized in Washington Irving's novel. We made a stop at Philipsburg Manor, an 18th-century working farm once owned by a Dutch merchant and operated by a community of enslaved Africans. After partaking our hearty boxed lunches there, we next stopped at Washington Irving's Sunnyside riverfront home, which he himself designed in 1835. We could imagine life as it was during those times because there are guides in period clothing leading visitors through restored buildings that contain valuable collections of furniture, art, textiles, ceramics, and household items. I think that it is really an effective and interesting way of interpreting and re-interpreting the past. Finally, the time had come to say my good-byes to Ms. Martha McPhail, the new MAHD Chair for 2003-2004, and Ms. Ann Shea, the Chair for 2002-2003. Until we meet again.
Acknowledgments
My first SLA Conference indeed proved to be an inspiring and professionally stimulating experience as well as an enjoyable and highly memorable event. I am very grateful to the Museums, Arts and Humanities Division for the travel award which allowed me to attend this Conference. It provided lots of opportunities to network with colleagues from other parts of the world and, in the process, I gained new friends. I will keep you updated of progress with my research work and the great influence this SLA Conference has with it.
Neff Travel Grant—Call for applications
Through its Neff Travel Grant, MAHD will reimburse travel expenses of up to $1,000.00 for a professional librarian from a developing country to attend the SLA Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, June 5-10, 2004. Also covered by MAHD are costs of conference registration ($435) and tickets to all MAHD-sponsored events.
Criteria for application:
Deadline: January 23, 2004
Application guidelines:
The application should include:
or
Eliza Robertson
Director of the Library
National Humanities Center
P.O. Box 12256
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Fax: 919-990-8535
esr@ga.unc.edu
Notification: The successful applicant will be notified by February 20, 2004.
Member news
Elizabeth Swan has left the Chemical Heritage Foundation (CHF) in Philadelphia to take a new position in Houston, Texas. Elizabeth was hired at CHF in 1996 as the first Library Director to bring the Othmer Library into full operation through facility renovation, collection development, and service provision. She will be working as a grant writing Special Services Library Consultant for the Houston Area Library System (HALS), a consortium that serves 69 member public libraries in 28 counties of southeast Texas.
Esther Bierbaum attended the OCLC/Forest Press Dewey Decimal Classification update for the 22nd edition. SLA's Committee on Cataloging will have a program on DDC22 in Nashville.
New MAHD Members
(* denotes student member)
| Patrick L. Abadie* East Baton Rouge Parish Library Baton Rouge, LA Michele A. Akyol* Eric E. Alberta* Linda V. Bedwell* Cherry A. Brewer* Kathy Burgess* Rachel G. Carreon* Drusilla Carter* Darren D. Chase* Helen K. Conkle Jeffrey R. Croteau* Whitney E. Donaghy* Sarah Jane Dooley* Samantha Francisco Deutch* Andrew Fassel* Deborah Galambos* Andrew C. Gibson* Catherine M. Given* Amy M. Glende* David Gordinier* Molly M. Groves* Marlene B. Gruenfelder* Paula J. Halpin* Alice M. Hart*
|
Kathleen A. Harvey* Springfield Art Assn. Juliette V. Ibelli* Stephanie L. Karnosh* Barbara J. Kolk Emily G. Lawton* Jamie A. MacInnis Elizabeth A. Marcus* Stephanie Salmon* Sarah D. Sewell* John Shuster* Gail A. Spiegelberg* Tara S. Spies* Douglas A. Stark Gordon J. Stienburg* Anne T. Tate* Carol Traveny* Cameron E. Trowbridge Maria F. Villanueva* Jane M. Wallace* Renee L. Weddle* Celeste Welch* Jenifer Whiting* Kimberly Wilson St. Clair Cheryl K. Yanek* |
The MAHD Bulletin is published four times a year by the Museums, Arts and Humanities Division of the Special Libraries Association. Deadlines for submission of advertisements and materials are as follows:
Spring issue April 8
Summer issue July 8
Fall issue October 8
Winter issue January 8
Division Chair
Martha McPhail
Bulletin Editors
Stephanie Orphan
Nancy Adams
ISSN: 1064-5608
The Special Libraries Association assumes no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors to the association’s publications. Editorial views do not necessarily represent the official position of the Special Libraries Association. Acceptance of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product by the Special Libraries Association.
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