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April 3, 2003, Annual
Conference
Houston, Texas
The meeting
was called to order by Chair Elect Janis C. Test at 10 a.m. Members
attending included: Hollis McCright, Ann Strautman, JoAnn Oliphant, Joe
Weaver, Carol Johnson and Martha Knott.
Janis
conveyed regrets from committee chair John Slate, who was unable to attend
Annual Conference this year. Introductions were made.
The minutes
from Annual Assembly were read and approved, with JoAnn Oliphant making
the motion and Hollis McCright seconding.
The committee
charge and goals were read and discussed, with no substantial changes or
additions made.
A report from
chairman John Slate was read as follows: "
Greetings
to all incoming and outgoing HTLA members. I deeply regret that I have
not been able to commit enough time to the Committee to actively pursue
our goals, and I apologize for not being more in touch or delegating
duties properly. In spite of my hindrances, we had a fine public session
this year on the History of the Tall Texans program. As you may know,
Tall Texans is ten years old now and it was suggested by Charles Harrell
that we do something to honor one of the most successful programs in
TLA. Acknowledging that War Stories was both very well received but also
needing a rest, it was decided to do something a little different. The
brown-bag discussion was held on April 2 from 12-1:50 pm. We didn't get
to videotape it but were at least able to make an audio recording."
Janis
presided over the program in the absence of
both John and
Tall Texans RT chair Karen Farrell. She told the committee that the
program had indeed gone well, with almost half the new Tall Texans class
attending to find out more about Tall Texans. Panel members included June
Kahler Berry, Peg Patrick, Nancy Buchanan, and Laura Kimberly. Janis
estimated an audience of approximately 30 people.
The Financial
Report was read by Janis, but General Ledger figures after 6/30/02 were
not available on the TLA website, so questions remain about our financial
situation. Concerns about major expenditures for contractual services and
our true bottom line balance were expressed by JoAnn Oliphant. Janis
agreed to investigate with Catherine Lee's help and will get back to the
committee about this.
Since neither
Charles Harrell nor Don Davis were able to attend the meeting, a report on
the current standing of the "Handbook of Texas Libraries" was not
available. The committee discussed the proposal of approaching Eakin
Press to buy the remainder of the printing, despite the expected financial
loss. Janis agreed to contact Charles Harrell about this, and if
necessary, approach Eakin herself after finding out where we stand.
Committee agreed that we need to compile a new, up-to-date list of the
oral histories and tapes available, and confirm what is held at the TLA
office. John's report indicated that two new histories have been
recorded, but not transcribed: Elizabeth Polk, and Pat Smith (which has
been sealed at her request until after her tenure as TLA Exec. Director).
John had no luck trying to locate Dorman Winfrey for an interview. He did
contact UT professor Dr. Loriene Roy about oral histories done by her and
her students. Her reply: "I just did a good rummage in my office. The
only tapes I have are interviews with GSLIS (now iSchool) faculty. These
are biographical interviews related to the history of the school. Some
years ago I drove to TLA headquarters to drop off any tapes, paper
transcripts, etc. that I had related to TLA history. I'm not sure what
happened to these items but I left them with TLA staff.
I have
electronic copies of several transcripts of interviews. Student
interviewers sent them to me as electronic copies. I imagine that I
printed off paper copies and left them at TLA headquarters. If you'd like
copies of these, let me know. . .
Here's the
list of electronic files of transcripts. Again, the original tapes and
transcripts must be at TLA headquarters. Transcripts are listed by
biographee, followed by the date of the interview.
1. Sam Stone
(October 26, 1993): paper transcript
2. Mary R.
Boyvey (electronic file) (November 6, 1992)
3. Ida
Courtney (electronic file) (December 7, 1989
4. Mary Pound
(electronic file) (November 20, 1990)
5. James O.
Wallace (electronic file) (November 3, 1992)
I think that
I left duplicates of these faculty interviews at TLA. Dr. Sparks was
interviewed at least 3 times. I think that his tapes may also be at TLA
headquarters."
John sent a
thank you and asked for electronic transcripts of all of the TLA people
she listed. John believes we need to check on the TLA tapes & the UT GSLIS
faculty tapes. He also thinks the committee should pursue copies of the
UT tapes for TLA if they are not currently at the TLA office, since they
do contain rich biographical information on TLA-connected names. This is
where some of the confusion may have come from--the tapes Roy made for the
Lib School's oral history program vs. the work that was done for TLA. I am
updating the list and I'll fax it to you this afternoon (unless we can
find an elec. copy). [don't know if this
has been done. . . I got no new list -JCT] Next
task--calling TLA office (probably Gloria Meraz) after conference to see
what tapes are in the TLA Archives NOW.
[again, don't know if this has been done. call in to John to find out.
JCT]
Committee
looked over list as it currently stands, and asked for volunteers to do
new tapings. JoAnn Oliphant volunteered to interview Alice Salinas, Pat
Murphy and Ken Ferstl. Martha Knott volunteered to interview Julie Todaro.
Janis is willing to do interviews if finding the subjects and availability
coincide.
Committee
discussed our missing tape recorder, and whether or not to purchase a new
rig. Janis gave approximate figures of what a new set would cost.
Proposal to purchase new rig tabled until financial questions are answered
to committee's satisfaction. One recording rig is located at TLA offices
currently.
Janis
prepared guidelines for checkout and use for the committee to consider.
Suggestions for improvements to procedure were made, and will be
incorporated by Janis for the committee to approve. (These are attached
as Appendix A to these minutes.)
Suggestions
for a program for Conference 2004 include: Librarians in the Limelight
(librarians of the year, or other TLA honorees); History of the Bluebonnet
program; History of the Tocker Foundation grants and their outcomes/long
term effects; History of library schools in Texas other than the big 3; or
other award or RoundTable histories. No decisions made, but an e-vote
will likely be taken later in the spring before Annual Assembly.
There being
no further business, the committee meeting was adjourned at 11:05. Next
meeting will be at Annual Assembly in July, 2003.
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