Automation & Technology Round Table (ATRT)

Meeting Minutes ● July 10, 2003
TLA Annual Assembly – Austin


In attendance were: Chair Adam Wright, Past Chair Christine Peterson, Jennifer Acker,  Councilor John Hammer, Roy Lewis, Alternate Councilor Jeanette Mosey, Teri Oparanozie, Constance Matheny, Marsha Whitman, Shelley Leader, Jill Emery, Jeanne Pyle, Beth Thomsett-Scott, Oliver Kelzenberg, Victoria Kemp, Sharon Castleberry, Cynthia Ward Cooper, Vickie Phillips, Janice Lange, and Secretary/Treasurer Beth Marsh.

Meeting was called to order by Chair Adam Wright at approximately 4:00 p.m.

Adam Wright asked everyone to review the meeting agenda. Jeanette Mosey suggested adding a report from Council. Christine Peterson suggested adding business meeting. Jeanette Mosey moved to approve the agenda with changes. Roy Lewis seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Adam Wright asked those present to review the minutes from the April 4, 2003, meeting. Changes in spelling of an ATRT member and vendor were requested. Jill Emery moved to approve the minutes. Sharon Castleberry seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Beth Marsh provided the treasurer’s report: As of 6/30/03, the ATRT revenues totaled $11,155.50; expenses totaled $9,784.27; ending fund balance of $10,066.12. Christine Peterson clarified that all conference expenses had been paid. Jennifer Acker moved to approve the treasurer’s report. Roy Lewis seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Christine Peterson reviewed the proposed changes to be made in the ATRT bylaws and solicited concerns or suggested changes. The group discussed the wording in Section VI.2.c which requires all ATRT members to subscribe to the RT’s discussion list. It was pointed out that TLA automatically subscribes members to lists, but allows individuals the option to unsubscribe. It was also noted that subscription to discussion lists is not enforceable, as members may opt not to make their email address available. Various suggestions were made on how to re-word this section. The final wording will be as follows:

The ATRT membership and Executive Board shall communicate between meetings via the ATRT discussion list. Subscription to this list is required to receive communication from ATRT.

Roy Lewis moved that the bylaws be approved as amended. The motion was seconded. The motion passed. The group applauded Christine’s efforts in getting these changes made, most notably, the change in the bylaws which will permit membership to vote electronically. The new bylaws will take effect immediately and will be posted to the ATRT website.

Adam Wright provided an officers update. Weber Baker resigned the chair position in early June 2003. Adam assumed the office of chair, which leaves the chair-elect office vacant. Jeanette Mosey pointed out that, according to ATRT bylaws, Adam can appoint a chair-elect. Adam invited members to volunteer. There was no response.

Alternate councilor Jeanette Mosey gave a report from TLA council held at Annual Conference, April 2003. Council approved electronic voting. There will be a change in bylaws and resolutions regarding nominations for the awards committee. The awards committee will now accept submissions no later than 90 days before conference.

Adam Wright raised the issue of the ATRT business meeting for the 2004 conference. Seeing as the new meeting time of 8:00 a.m. Friday at the 2003 conference in Houston seemed to work, Adam will request the same time for our meeting at the 2004 conference in San Antonio.

Christine Peterson discussed how ATRT has awarded stipends to attend TLA in the past. There is a demonstrated need for the stipends. Christine asked for volunteers to take on the task of reviewing applications for stipends to the 2004 conference. Shelley Leader volunteered. Christine will provide Shelley with the required materials. Roy Lewis, Beth Marsh, and Christine will assist Shelley with reviewing the applications.

Adam Wright introduced the idea doing a preconference on wireless technology at the TLA 2004 conference. Beth Marsh discussed some possible directions the preconference could take, including a general overview of wireless technology (possibly getting Bill Drew of SUNY Morisville), demonstrations by vendors of the latest developments & applications in wireless technology, presentations by libraries that offer wireless services to patrons, and funding sources. A general discussion followed on the pros and cons of doing a preconference on wireless technology. Roy Lewis stated that security issues ought to be covered.

Adam Wright explained that the UNT Libraries have asked the ATRT to consider sponsoring a preconference on web usability studies. He introduced Beth Thomsett-Scott (UNT Libraries) to describe the proposed program. UNT staff has performed these studies and would provide the speakers. The program would incorporate audience participation and raise questions such as, “what do users experience/feel when they participate in a study?” Preconference participants would experience what its like to be part of a website usability study. Also to be covered is what to do with the data/results collected in the study. The proposed preconference would be presented in two half-day sessions. Individuals could attend either session or both. A general discussion followed on the pros and cones of sponsoring a preconference on website usability studies rather than on wireless technologies. Adam Wright asked whether there was general agreement to sponsor a preconference on website usability studies. Jennifer Acker suggested that something on wireless technologies could be presented in NetFair. The members present agreed to sponsor the preconference offered by UNT.

Adam Wright reported that he has lined up the following NetFair presenters:

  • Roy Tennant (California Digital Library) to present on XML, possibly cosponsored by another unit.
  • Gary Clapton (Bedford PL) to present on PC reservations systems.
  • Jerry McCulley (NETLS) has spoken with Joshua Ferraro about doing a presentation on Koha, and open source ILS.
  • David Coulter (Grapevine PL) to present on RFID (radio frequency Identification).
  • Kevin Marsh (TSLAC) to present on RDS (Resource Discovery Service).
  • Kathleen Murphy (UNT) to present on web services.
  • Deborah Duke (Ft. Worth PL/MetroPAC Consortium) to present on issues in operating a consortium.
  • Mike Pullin (Roberts Library, SBTS) to present on imaging.

 

Adam Wright asked whether there were other suggestions for NetFair. Jeanne Pyle suggested open URL as a possible topic. Jill Emery suggested meta-search tools as a possible topic. Roy Lewis suggested wireless, DCMA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) and filtering as possible topics. Adam also asked the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) if they would send someone to speak on using the DIR Store online and purchasing off the state contract. Christine Peterson noted that in the 2003 Conference surveys there were several requests for programs on new technologies. She suggested doing something at NetFair on electronic paper.

Christine Peterson discussed Technology Showcase. Last year changes were made in the space used for Technology Showcase and Net Fair; carpeting was added to the Net Fair area and higher curtains added to both TS rooms. The carpeting worked best for reducing the noise level and cost less than the curtains, so all three areas will be carpeted at the 2004 Conference. NetTrekker may sponsor the Internet connection for Technology Showcase.

Adam Wright reported that the Archives & Local History RT asked ATRT to cosponsor, in name only a program at the 2004 Conference on metadata for special collections and that the Texas Regional Group of Catalogers and Classifiers RT asked ATRT to cosponsor a program with Roy Tennant on XML. Adam asked the RT members present for approval in cosponsoring the Roy Tennant program. Discussion followed on the cost ATRT would bear in cosponsoring this program. Christine Peterson advised that we set a limit of $500. Councilor John Hammer motioned to cosponsor the program up to $500. Christine Peterson seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Adam Wright recounted a recent meeting among NTRLS member libraries to discuss virtual reference. This group proposed forming an interest group within another TLA unit and Adam asked whether ATRT would be an appropriate sponsor and would anyone within ATRT be willing to take on the formation of the IG. Jeanette Mosey suggested that we contact the chair of the Reference Round Table and pass this on to them, but ATRT members could support the effort by supplying signatures for the required petition.

Adam Wright adjourned the meeting at approximately 6:00 p.m.


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