Automation & Technology Round Table (ATRT)

Meeting Minutes, TLA Annual Assembly

July 10, 2005

 

Attendees:

Diane Neal (Chair), Wendi Kaspar (Chair-Elect), Nancy Buchanan (Secretary/Treasurer), Jeanette Mosey (Alternate Councilor), Adam Wright (Past Chair), Edward Kownslar, Steven Ring, Kim Wiley, Virginia Allen, Trina Nolen, Richard Wayne, Kam Hitchcock-Mort, Beth Thomsett-Scott, Earnstein Dukes, Walter Betts, Cherry Fuller, Christine Peterson, Jason Neal, Mary Johnson, Judith Hiott, Pixey Mosley, Linda Bixler, Kevin Marsh

 

Council Report: 

The Council report was presented by Jeanette Mosey.  There has been a change wherein the TLA Scholarship and Research Committee will coordinate the awarding of scholarships and stipends.  Beth Thomsett-Scott will follow up with this committee in regards to ATRT's conference stipends.  The Tocker Foundation Committee includes a member of ATRT.  Chris Peterson is our representative.  At the 6/17 Executive Board meeting, it was decided that TLA would shift to electronic voting.  There was nothing that needed to go to Council from ATRT.

 

Executive Board Report: 

The Executive Board report was presented by Yvonne Chandler.  The theme of next year's TLA Annual Conference will be Libraries -- Igniting the Passion.  TLA is in a transition period for conference program planning, and is trying to get units to start planning programs earlier (e.g., start planning for 2007 in 2005).  While they are still accepting 2006 programs, all units are encouraged to start working on 2007 programs.  The 2007 conference theme will be announced in January 2006.  All units and individual TLA members are encouraged to participate in the TLA strategic planning process.  There will be a listserv established for discussion of the plan.  TLA staff is adding a full-time position focusing on continuing education.  All units are encouraged to consider giving financial support to TALL Texans.  There will be a discussion on ethical issues in libraries on Monday night, and people are invited to attend.  The Conference Program Committee meets with units on Monday and will deliberate about the proposed programs Monday 4-6 in Foothills.  All units can ask for assistance from the Conference Program Committee and can observe the deliberations.  Next year TLA will have e-voting.  TLA will need the slate of candidates and the biographical information by December 15.  Member can request a paper ballot.  Biographical information for all candidates will be on the web site, but only executive officers will have biographical information on the paper ballot.  Voting within units can be done internally with the unit's deadlines.  Yvonne asked for any issues that ATRT would like to go to the Executive Board.  Chris Peterson asked why Executive Board and Council minutes were not available on the web site.  Diane Neal said a more full summary via e-mail would be helpful.

 

Library Technology NOW: 

Library Technology NOW (http://www.librarytechnologynow.org/) was launched in April, funded by NTRLS and ATRT.  It is a web site that includes library-related technology news, product information, and reviews.  The theme for August will be alternatives to dominant market leaders.  Diane Neal's TWU automation students are helping with Library Technology NOW.  An IMLS grant has been applied for, but there is not word yet on its status; an answer on it is expected around August.  If received, the grant would go towards equipment, bandwidth, and part-time project management and marketing help.  The editorial board will meet the 15th.  Diane has been heading up the editorial board so far, but a new head will be selected.  Diane and Adam will continue to head the web production aspects.  Library Technology NOW has identified design as an areas for improvement, and is working on a new look and feel (including a logo) with the help of TWU students.  Library Technology NOW includes an active blog.  Articles are approved by an editorial board, but are not peer-reviewed.  Library Technology NOW is looking for volunteers in many areas - check the web site for a volunteer application.

 

Top Texas Technology Trends (T4): 

An article on the results of the Top Texas Technology Trends survey is in the current issue of Texas Library Journal.  The T4 project was started at TLA Annual Conference 2004.  An ATRT sub-committee developed the survey, which was used to identify top Texas technology trends as identified by librarians.  A discussion was held on the future of T4, including:  should we continue; is it worthwhile; do we continue presenting the results in article form; should we do T4 programming; and who would work on the project?  Points raised in the discussion included that T4 grew out of feedback that TLA librarians wanted to learn more about technology, and that one purpose of ATRT is to educate librarians about technology.  The T4 article was intentionally written to focus on the practical aspects of technology and appeal to a non-technical audience.  Uses include highlighting technical issues for library directors and non-technical library staff, and use in training.  It was suggested that a T4 logo could be used in the conference program to identify programs related to T4 technologies.  Judith Hiott moved that ATRT should continue the T4 survey and articles, and the group voted to pass this motion.  The T4 sub-committee needs new members, and those interested should contact Richard Wayne. 

 

Other Old Business: 

There was no other old business.

 

Preconferences for TLA Annual Conference 2006: 

The proposed preconference for TLA Annual Conference 2006 is on web development and related tools for non-web experts.  The goal is to provide the audience with the knowledge and skills to produce better, more interactive web sites.  Examples of specific techniques to be covered include blogs, RSS, and toolbars.  It will be a ½ day preconference, presented once in the morning and once in the afternoon.  Proposed presenters are Grace Lillevig and Steven Ring.  A goal this year will be to keep the cost lower than last year's cost.  Richard Wayne pointed out that last year there was confusion about preconference location and registration (e.g., do you have to register for the conference before coming to the preconference?).  Cherry Fuller said she would take that feedback to the Conference Program Planning Committee.  The Texas State Library will co-sponsor and contribute $500 towards the cost.

 

NetFair for TLA Annual Conference 2006: 

A draft of the NetFair programming was passed out, which has 12 presentations.  More programs will focus on human factors than in some years.  Nettrekker will sponsor again.  In past years they have contributed $2,500.  There are still slots available for a few additional presentations, preferably more on the technical side.  Send ideas to Wendi Kaspar.

 

Technology Showcase for TLA Annual Conference 2006: 

ATRT will put on Technology Showcase again at the TLA Annual Conference 2006.  Adam Wright will be in charge of it.  No further report at this time.

 

ATRT Booth for TLA Annual Conference 2006:  

ATRT will have a booth again at the TLA Annual Conference 2006.  Jason Neal will chair the booth project.  A discussion was held on what was and was not effective this year, and how to improve the booth.  Observations included that the booth could be made more effective by deciding upon what message ATRT wanted to communicate to TLA membership and focusing the booth on that message.  Another ideas was to use the booth to promote T4.  ATRT could also use the booth to promote its conference stipends.  Practical issues discussed included whether the booth needs electricity and an Internet connection (which were not used much last year), the possibility of creating an effective PowerPoint presentation to show in the booth, having a give-away, having a larger screen, and creating eye-catching graphics (ideas on this ranged from a T4 logo to animal pictures).  Those interested in volunteering should contact Jason.

 

Co-Sponsorships at TLA Annual Converence 2006:

The Texas State Library will co-sponsor the preconference and provide $500 in funding for it.

 

ATRT is co-sponsoring the Digital Libraries Interest Group program on online primary resources in Texas history and incorporating them into the TEKS curriculum.  They have 3 speakers and topics in mind.  They will communicate more with Diane as the program develops.  They greatly appreciate ATRT's assistance.

 

The Acquisitions and Collection Development Round Table is trying to bring in a speaker for a cost of $1,000 and is looking for co-sponsors.  The program is on downloadable audio.  Adam motioned that ATRT co-sponsor, and the motion passed.

 

Conference Stipends: 

There will be 2 stipends this coming year.  For the next conference, the stipend program will begin advertising and soliciting applicants earlier than it did this past year.  Beth Thomsett-Scott will chair the stipend sub-committee again this year.

 

Other New Business and Announcements: 

The TLA strategic plan was announced this morning.  This will be on the agenda for the ATRT meeting at TLA Annual Conference 2006.

 

Diane Neal will begin working at TWU full-time this fall.  Her e-mail will be dneal@twu.edu.

 

The ATRT nominating committee will be chaired by Beth Thomsett-Scott, and Judith Hiott will assist.