Reference Round Table - Minutes - 1980

Minutes 
Reference Round Table 
Texas Library Association
July 25, 1980

The Annual Assembly executive board meeting of the Reference Round 
Table met in Austin at 11:00 a.m. on July 25, 1980.

The meeting was called to order by John Hepner, Chairperson.  New 
officers (Dean Covington, Wendy Gottlieb, and Helen Bell) and guest 
observers were welcomed.  The minutes of the annual business meeting 
were read and approved.

1981 TLA Conference: March 31 - April 4, Houston

Plans for the 1981 conference program were discussed.  John Hepner 
reported that he and Dean Covington discussed with Dorothy Progar, 
chairperson of the Public Libraries Division, joint sponsorship of 
a program on Thursday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Progar 
invited Tom Harnish of OCLC to speak on Channel 2000, the home delivery 
information system using TV sets and computer link-ups.  Joint sponsor-
ship will solve the scheduling conflict between the Round Table's 
program time and that of the PLD (public librarians comprise roughly
one-half of our membership).  Joint planning will insure that the 
program addresses the reference applications of the computer inter-
face in libraries, a topic that was of great interest at the 1980 
conference.

Tom Harnish has agreed to speak without honorarium, limiting his 
expenses to plane fare ($358), room, and meals.  We will share expenses 
with PLD, our portion being $150-$200.  The Conference Arrangements 
Committee will also contribute because PLD is planning to repeat this 
program on Friday at 9:00 a.m.

Our business meeting will follow the Thursday program, at 11:00 a.m.

John Hepner suggested that the Round Table hold its own program on 
Friday at 10:00 a.m. in order to directly address many of the sugges-
tions for future conference programs that emerged from our survey 
taken at the 1980 conference.  Several proposed topics dealt with the 
computer aspects of reference service, but the largest number of votes 
was for a program on the reference interview. All-day workshops on 
this topic have been conducted by a group of faculty from Waco and a 
conference program could probably be arranged.

It was noted that interested librarians could see both of our programs 
on Friday: the PLD repeat program at 9:00 a.m. and the reference in-
terview at 10:00 a.m. We could unofficially run over in this latter 
time slot.  Hepner explained that we can afford two programs, as $1000 
is normally budgeted for conference expenses and the two Waco people 
will require only $100 each for honoraria, plus room and meals.

Helen Bell pointed out that most suggestions from the survey relate
to the reference interview or its ramifications and that such a 
program could satisfy our entire constituency.  She suggested that 
we use the expertise of librarians themselves as an additional 
resource on the reference interview.  Information could be pooled 
prior to the conference and presented as part of the program.  
Hepner suggested that we use the fall Round Table newsletter to 
solicit feedback from members on a voluntary basis.  Bell volun-
teered to frame a questionnaire for the fall newsletter.  Results 
could be announced in the spring newsletter and could help the 
Waco people plan their program.  A related handout could be given 
to program attendees to build up interest in the program.

Hepner will confer with Jean Tolbert, our contact with the Waco 
people, to find out more about the type of presentation that would 
be suitable for our program.

Booth in exhibit area

Hepner reported that the cost of booth space in the exhibit area 
at the 1981 conference would be $50.  A booth could be used to dis-
seminate information on the Round Table, to sell Texas Reference 
Sources, and to display a traveling exhibit from the Council of 
State and Regional Groups (ALA-RASD) that includes leaflets, journals, 
and newsletters from reference groups of state and regional organi-
zations.

It was agreed that there would be no difficulty in staffing the 
booth with a rotating schedule of Round Table members. There is 
sufficient time to design an attractive booth.  It will provide 
publicity for the Round Table, facilitate an exchange of ideas and 
suggestions, and help to raise membership.

Newsletter

Hepner reported that the survey taken at the 1980 conference asked 
how often members wanted a newsletter to appear and that most chose 
twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring (before TLA 
conference).

The fall issue is planned for early October, the spring issue for 
late February.  General purpose of the newsletter is to announce 
conference plans, provide information on what has transpired since 
the last conference, and cover committee activities.

Committees

Hepner reported that a Nominating Committee is needed to select next 
year's candidates for officers.  A list of volunteers interested in 
committee work was gathered at the last conference.  Hepner noted that 
Round Table members come from all types of libraries: public, academic, 
special, and school.  It would be preferable if all groups were repre-
sented on the committee, which will be appointed in the next month.  
Ballots have to be ready in March.

Hepner reported that the Bibliographic Committee (formerly known as 
the Planning Committee) membership remains the same as last year 
and is still working on its ongoing project, a Texas periodicals 
index.  Ann Graves of Texas State Library is chairperson.  The index 
is envisioned as a serial.  The committee needs to decide if the 
Round Table will be directly involved in the index project.  It will 
meet again in September and Hepner will attend ex officio.

Hepner proposed Jean Tolbert as chairperson of the Program Committee. 
She will choose other members of the committee.  Dolores Bentke of 
Houston volunteered to help with conference arrangements.

Bylaws Committee.  Revised bylaws were published in last fall's
newsletter.  They were revised to reflect changes in Council repre-
sentation and do not read well. Some points, like the election of 
officers, are unclear and others need to be stated.  A committee 
could work on the text and coordinate our bylaws with those of TLA. 
The committee could also consider possible changes in the way that 
officers are elected (at the annual conference, as it now stands, or 
by mail ballot).  John Russell volunteered to serve on the committee, 
but not to chair.  It was agreed that a committee should begin as soon 
as possible, as it could take more than one year to revise the bylaws.

Historical records committee.  Hepner noted that records of the Round 
Table are incomplete and need to be examined and formally restructured 
so that information can be found.  We lack a list of all previous 
officers and a general history of the Round Table: when it was formed, 
how membership has grown, and what projects have been undertaken.  The 
secretary agreed to work on this project and fill in the gaps with 
the help of two resource people: one at the Texas State Library 
(where TLA has an archive depository of its records) and one in 
Houston (where TLA offices and current records are housed).  Records 
of the chairperson and secretary-treasurer will be handled separately.  
Hepner suggested that some of the information on Round Table history 
could be presented in a handout at our booth next spring.

Council of State and Regional Groups (ALA-RASD)

Hepner attended a CSRG meeting at ALA in New York.  CSRG encourages 
activities of state and regional RASD affiliated groups.  Hepner is 
chair-elect of CSRG and will be helping to redesign CSRG's traveling 
exhibit.  CSRG will also gather information on AACR II implications 
for reference service and will assemble a packet that can be used for 
program planning and distributed to RASD members.

Additional business

Bell inquired what the courcilor's position and duties are under 
TLA's present bylaws.  Hepner noted that previously the unit chair-
person served as Council representative.  This practice has been 
abolished to establish greater continuity on Council by having 
councilors serve more than one year.  Eventually, all councilors will 
serve for three years, one-third being elected each year.  The coun-
cilor is an officer of the Round Table and should therefore be a 
member of the executive board.  The councilor votes for the Round 
Table as a group and should represent the interests of reference 
librarians of the state.  The councilor should report formally to 
the membership in the newsletter on the results of Council meetings.  
The newsletter could be used as a means of gaining input from mem-
bers on important issues.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.

				Respectfully submitted,

				Wendy Gottlieb
				Secretary-Treasurer
Copyright Š2007, Reference Round Table, TLA
