Serials Round Table

HISTORY • 1975-2001

By Leveta J. Hord, University of Texas at Arlington
Edited by Janet Douglass, Texas Christian University

The present Serials Round Table was approved by the Texas Library Association, Council at Annual Assembly on July 24, 1993. The Serials Forum which began formally on April 4, 1975 at the Dallas Convention and the Serials Interest Group which petitioned for interest group status on July 27, 1990 were two earlier bodies in our history. Evidence suggests that librarians with serials interests met unofficially prior to the 1970s period. Texas librarians of the American Library Association, Serials Section, networked with each other regularly, and it was this group that eventually started the Serials Forum.

A brief review of Texas library issues in the sixties and seventies will show why serials erupted as a major concern for all libraries, particularly the academic and large public libraries. The sixties was a decade of progress with Texas academic libraries having expanded budgets for purchasing collections, larger staffs for developing services, and new interlibrary loan networks throughout the state. However,there continued to be the challenges of insatiable faculty, exploding student enrollments, and expanding graduate programs.

As a result, there were various cooperative union lists around the state. One of the most notable regional lists was The Texas List which provided serial holdings in the scientific, technical, and business areas. This tool was used heavily by interlibrary loan. When it began to have financial problems in the sixties, many libraries were concerned for their interlibrary loan activities. Library consortiums for sharing of resources began to be formed such as the IUC (Inter-University Council of the Dallas and Fort Worth Metropolitan Areas), Talon Regional Medical Library Program, RICE (Regional Information and Communication Exchange), CORAL (Council of Research and Academic Libraries, San Antonio, Texas), etc. Larger academic and public libraries were becoming partners in disseminating information particularly those related to serial issues.

As library budgets leveled off at the end of the sixties, costs of materials, supplies, equipment, and labor began to increase. Rising serial costs were of particular concern, such as the huge increases for scientific journals. Some titles increased as much as 40% annually. Individual scholars no longer subscribed to titles for research; they became more dependent on library serial subscriptions. Libraries began to cut monographic budgets to divert more money into the serials budget. Texas libraries also suffered the demise of Popular, a state vendor for serial subscriptions. Library users were faced with gaps in serial holdings for library materials, which were paid for but never received in Texas libraries.

During the seventies, there was an emerging competition to libraries by information utilities and the information explosion began. Libraries needed to acquire, organize, and store more and more materials by a variety of methods. In addition, cooperative networks and consortia, and computer technology presented new challenges for all libraries. Computers as a management tool could provide faster and easier access to information without adding new staff. The capability of computers to simplify work processes and eliminate repetitive tasks was widely endorsed both nationally and statewide. Library automation also encouraged cooperation with other libraries and institutions.

One periodical which reflects this flurry of serials activities was Title Varies which began in December 1973. Those familiar with this publication remember the infamous acronym, LUTFCSUSTC (pronounced “lootfasustic”, or “lutfasustic”, depending on who was pronouncing it) which stood for Librarians United to Fight Costly, Silly Unnecessary Title Changes. Texas serialists were a very vocal group in their contributed letters, articles, and serial title changes. Hal Hall, Texas A &M University and one of the original Serials Forum founders, was a regular contributor. In Title Varies vol. 6, no. 3-5 , p. 27 he states:

“… I’m curious about how new periodicals are getting born everyday while everyone claims there’s no money in it. Can’t make a dime, going under any minute, the publishers say. But the new would-be publishers are crowding the grave site in pretty lively fashion, and not even clucking their tongues. Look at me, I’m alive and wonderful and you should buy me, the new ones say, because no one like me ever existed before.

Curious it is, and even curioser, that these new journals find subscribers. Where? Libraries! Fatso, aren’t you the ones crying about the cost of serials and low budgets and how can the poor librarians survive the racking pain of making all those terrible decisions about cancellations and which poor serials have got to die?…

But I’m mighty grateful that the resourceful and selfless publishers are making new avenues available for the dissemination of truth, knowledge, wisdom, facts, documentation, and all the other kinds of scientific information. Imagine what would happen if all that information kept building up and had no way to disseminate itself until finally it would have to propel itself outward in random directions at high velocities, accompanied by heat, light, and noise. That would be a real information explosion. ”

Another example of the intermingling of regional, state, and national efforts are serial workshops. Texas A & M on June 13-14, 1975 sponsored the workshop:Serials: National Trends---Local Implications. A document titled Serials: National Trends—Local Implications. Final Report to the RTSD/SS Committee on Regional Serials Workshops (1975) begins:

“The concept of a serials workshop in the Southwest, and specifically at Texas A & M University, dated back to 1973, and the formation of the “Serials Forum,” an unofficial and informal group of Texas serials librarians meeting at the Texas Library Association Annual Conference. The idea was introduced to the Serials Forum in the spring of 1974, and received enthusiastic response. Due to timing and certain internal affairs of the TAMU Library, the conference was postponed until summer 1975. Then, at the ALA annual conference at New York, added impetus was gained by the appointment of H. W. Hall to the Ad Hoc Committee on Regional Serials Workshops. ”

The workshop was created and managed by Hal Hall, Jo Berg, and Freda Rucker, with program planning managed by Marjorie Peregoy and Leila Payne. There were 137 serials librarians and vendors attending the workshop.

One of the results of this workshop was the publication of A Manual for Serials Workshops edited by David Weber. This guide was intended to guide planners through the development of serials workshops. Hall Hal was one of the team members compiling this manual.

The Serials Forum ----Now the stage was set for those intense, exciting, and challenging years and the birth of an informal vehicle of communication within the Texas Library Association, the Serials Forum. The first Texas Library Association, Annual Conference, meeting convened on April 4, 1975, 10:00a. m. -11:00a. m. in Room 401E of the Dallas Convention Center. Sharon Smith, Texas A & M University, presided in the absence of the Forum Chair, Iris Jeffress, Baylor University. There were 26 people attending the Program and Business Meeting. The membership supported the Forum's compiling another edition of the Directory of Serial Librarians in Texas. Arlene Paups, Southern Methodist University, introduced the speaker, Mr. Sotir Nikola, Walter Johnson Company, who spoke on "The Acquisition of Back Issues from the Agent's Point of View. "

Notable Serials Forum activities (See also Appendix A and Appendix B):

April 4, 1975

• 1975/1976 slate of officers nominated and elected by acclimation: Iris Jeffress, Chairman, Baylor University; Don Dyal, Vice Chairman/Chairman-Elect, Texas A & M University; and Linda Dugger, Secretary, Lamar University. The Advisory Committee consisted of:Arlene Paups, Southern Methodist University; Carol Kelley, Texas Tech University; Mary Pound, University of Texas at Austin; Margaret Williamson, University of Houston; and Sharon Smith, Texas A & M University;
• Iris Jeffress developed the Serials Forum Guidelines presented at the meeting and approved by the Serials Forum Advisory Committee. Article II: Purpose of these guidelines stated:

"The purpose of this Forum shall be to provide a source through which ew ideas and procedures relating to Serials Materials may be exchanged; to encourage research and experimentation in the acquisition, cataloging, recording, and maintaining serials materials; and to initiate and promote education in the area of serial materials in Library Schools and encourage continuing education for practicing serials librarians. "

April 8, 1975

• The minutes and a copy of the Serials Forum Guidelines were submitted to Ms. Jerre Hetherington, TLA Administrative Secretary; 1979/1980
• Kay Harvey, Chair, was credited with the idea of regular regional serials workshops sponsored by the Serials Forum;

February 8, 1980

Texas A & M , Continuing Education Center, was the site for a one day serials workshop entitled: “New Serials Cataloging Rules—AACR II”. Fifty-five people paid a registration fee ($10. 00 for librarians, $5. 00 for local staff, speakers free) to fund the workshop;

May 1, 1980

Serials Forum donated $100. 00 to the TLA Office in a letter to Ms. Jerre Hetherington. The remaining workshop money of $314. 00 was the foundation for future serials-related workshops;

April 1984

The Serials Forum continued to make contributions to the TLA Office with another $100. 00 to help the TLA executive offices move into the new headquarters in Austin;

April 25, 1985

The Serials Forum was invited to be a member in the first serials nationwide organization, the North American Serials Interest Group which was planning a three day annual meeting,publication of conference proceedings and a newsletter;

April 10, 1986

Updated Texas Serials Librarians Directory was sold at $2. 00@ at the Fort Worth Convention Center during Annual Conference;

April 10, 1987

Serials Forum’s petition was circulated at Annual Conference, the Henry Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio to determine interest in permanent Texas Library Association status as an official interest group. Fifty signatures of valid Texas Library Association members were needed and fifty members must be maintained for 3 years;

April 13, 1989 

Serials Forum voted at Annual Conference in Houston to combine the offices of Treasurer and Secretary;

April 5, 1990 

Decision was made at the Annual Conference in Dallas to become an official interest group in TLA. Petitions were circulated to obtain signatures of TLA members in good standing and returned to Clarice Luce, Acquisitions, University of North Texas by May 15, 1990;

June 7, 1990 

• Patricia H. Smith, Executive Director, in a letter to Clarice Luce, Secretary/Treasurer, stated:

“I am pleased to inform you that you have secured the necessary number of signatures of TLA members in good standing; 88 of the 98 names you submitted are current 1990 members…An announcement of your new status as an interest group will be made at Council I on Friday evening, July 27, 1990 at the TLA Annual Assembly. The 1991 membership form will include the Serials Interest Group as a member category. During the next three year period, you must maintain an annual membership of 50 members in order to be considered for round table status. At Annual Assembly 1993, Council will be asked to vote on round table status for the Serials Interest Group. ”

• Membership statistics for the necessary three year period were: 1991 (62 members); 1992 (52 members); and 1993 (60 members);

July 5, 1990

• William W. Wan, Chair stated in his Annual Assembly Progress Report:

“The Chief highlight is that after many years operating outside TLA, the Serials Forum is now officially an interest group within TLA. We are appreciative of all the help from the executive director and the various committee chairs and staff of TLA in helping us go through the process with as little difficulties as possible. ”

The Serials Interest Group was officially formed on July 27, 1990. In various minutes and even Annual Conference programs the name Serials Forum Interest Group and Serials Interest Group were used interchangeably. At theApril 11, 1991 Texas Library Association Annual Conference, Tarrant County Convention Center, the Serials Interest Group convened as an official TLA interest group. The officers were: William Wan, Chair, Texas Woman’s University; Evelyn Brass, Vice-Chair/Chair Elect, University of Houston; Clarice Luce, Secretary/Treasurer, University of North Texas; Marifran Buston, Councilor, Texas A & M University; and Evelyn Brass, Alternate Councilor, University of Houston; Janet Douglass, Chair of the Bylaws Committee, Texas Christian University. Approximately 45 people attended the Program and Business meeting. Evelyn Brass, Vice Chair served as moderator of the program, “Library Binding: Behind-the-scene Operations and Issues” which explored such issues as bindery specifications, standardization, automation, contract negotiations, the bidding process and cooperation between libraries and binderies. Panelists included: Joan Heath, Chair of the Council of State University Librarians’ Library Binding Committee; Frank Kincaid, General Manager, American Bindery; and Julie Smiley, Sales Representative, Heckman Bindery. A new video presentation on binding by the Library of Congress was also presented. At the business meeting which followed the program the Secretary/Treasurer, Clarice Luce, reported as of March 31, 1991 the balance in the Serials Interest Group account was $234. 01.

otable Serials Interest Group’s activities (See also Appendix A and Appendix B):

July 12, 1990

Serials Interest Group Bylaws Committee met at Texas Christian University to revise the earlier Serials Forum Bylaws. Members included: Janet Douglass, Chair, Texas Christian University; Joan Allen, University of Texas at Dallas; Leveta J. Hord, University of Texas at Arlington; and Lisa Macklin, University of North Texas. Also attending the meeting was Cyd Sheffy, Chair, TLA Bylaws and Resolutions Committee. Using the bylaws from the Acquisitions and Collection Development Round Table and the Automation and Technology Interest Group as models and making sure there were no conflicts with the TLA Bylaws, the committee drafted a set of Proposed Bylaws for the Serials Interest Group. The Proposed Bylaws were forwarded to the Serials Interest Group Executive Board for approval. Upon approval by the Executive Board, copies were distributed to Patricia Smith, TLA Executive Director, Dr. Kenneth Ferstl, TLA Executive Board Liaison, and Cyd Sheffy;

April 11, 1991

Membership voted and approved the Serials Interest Group Bylaws at the Annual Conference in the Fort Worth/Tarrant County Convention Center. Purpose of the group was changed in Article II to read:

“The purpose of this Interest Group shall be to promote and improve serials development and librarianship and to foster relations with other branches of library service, publishers, vendors, and other library organizations;”

July 24, 1993

Annual Assembly Council meeting, a motion was made by TLA Executive Board liaison, Gretchen Staas, to give Round Table status to the Serials Interest Group.

The Serials Round Table first official meeting occurred April 13, 1994, at Annual Conference, Bayfront Plaza Convention Center, Corpus Christi. The slate of officers of the first Serials Round Table were:Jeanne Harrell, Chair, Texas A & M University; Donna Lively, Vice-Chair/Chair Elect, University of Texas at Arlington; Janet Douglass, Secretary/Treasurer, Texas Christian University; Jo Kimbro, Councilor, Texas A & M University; and Janice Lange, Alternate Councilor, Sam HoustonState University.

Judy Johnston, Chair of the Bylaws Committee, reported at Annual Conference in Corpus Christi on the changes made to the Bylaws to reflect the round table status. “It was specifically decided that the name be ‘Serials Round Table’ rather than ‘Serials Forum Round Table’;”

Two members of the Serials Round Table, Jan Kemp and Susan Harvey, were selected to take part in the Tall Texans Leadership Institute. The membership voted and approved a $50. 00 stipend for each one to help with their expenses; 

Donna Lively, Vice-Chair, introduced the program: “Empowering Users: A New Age For Serials—Selection, Purchase, and Access” which was co-sponsored by the Serials Round Table and the Acquisitions and Collection Development Round Table. The panelists described new approaches to getting what users want and need through cost effective serials management. Topics of discussion included: examining table of contents/document delivery services; assessing real serial needs; and evaluating vendors through the Request For Proposal (RFP). Speakers included: Chuck Hamaker, Assistant Dean for Collection Development, Louisiana State University Libraries, Baton Rouge; Daniel Jones, Assistant Library Director for Collection Development, Briscoe Library, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio; and Adrian Alexander, Regional Sales Manager, The Faxon Company.

Janice Lange at Annual Assembly noted SRT needed to change its Bylaws to allow for balloting by mail;

Linda Dugger, Vice Chair/Chair Elect presented the program idea for the 2002 Annual Conference in Dallas. The tentative title of the program is: “They Walk Alike, They Talk Alike, Sometimes They Even Look Alike, But Are They Really Two of a Kind?—Electronic vs. Print Journals. Presenters will be Carolyn Henebry and Ellen Safley (UTD) who presented the differences between print and electronic versions of journals at the 2001 NASIG Conference in San Antonio.

A SRT Bylaws Committee was also appointed to revise the existing document according to the TLA Bylaws Committee newly created Model document. This committee consisted of Alice Rhoades (Chair), Mark McCallon, Leveta J. Hord, Jeanne Harrell, andMary Jo Venetis (advisory). The SRT Bylaws Committee met immediately after the SRT Business Meeting. Alice Rhoades and Mark McCallon were current members of the TLA Bylaws Committee and familiar with the TLA Model Bylaws document. This initial revision of the SRT Bylaws was completed with Alice making many necessary changes. The process of revising the SRT Bylaws has begun and a draft will be sent to the Executive Committee by October 2001.

 

Leveta J. Hord, Councilor presented the Councilor’s report: the June 2001 ballot had three propositions with I and II passed but Proposition III to increase TLA dues in 2002 failed by a small margin (278in favor and 317 against). At the March 29, 2001 Council,President Julie Todaro announced the “Best of the Best” grants to TLA districts with each district receiving $1,000 as a means of improving district programming. With 10 districts a total of $10,000 was distributed to the districts.

Leveta J. Hord, SRT Centennial Representative distributed paper copies of the Texas Library Association, Serials Round Table History, 1975-2001. Leveta reported Janet Douglass, Alternate Centennial Representative spent a day at UTA editing the document with her. Leveta’s visit to the state Archives was productive but some early documentation for the Serials Forum was not found. Leveta recommended to put one paper copy in the TLA archives and this was approved. Mary Jo Venetis volunteered to be the Webmaster for the SRT web page and update the information as well as include the aforementioned history by Annual Conference April 2002.