Reference Round Table - Minutes - 1994 - Annual Assembly

TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION REFERENCE ROUND TABLE
Executive Committee Meeting
Minutes, Annual Assembly
April 21, 1994

Chairman Richard Dickey called the meeting to order at 4 p.m. at 
the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Austin.  Eighteen persons attended: 
Linda Newsome-Dillard, Susan Beck, Maurice Fortin, Gretchen McCord 
Hoffmann, Andy Tucker, Lynne Hambric, Melinda Townsel-Winston, 
Claudette Hagel, Patricia Switzer, Marilynn Green, Bob Kelley, 
Joyce Hopkins, Ron Glass, Pam Spooner, Bill Hord, Elaine Klobe, Don 
Buchwald, and Richard Dickey.

Secretary-treasurer Elaine Klobe presented the minutes of the April 
1994 meetings, which were approved.  She also provided the 
treasurer's report, showing our total liabilities and equity fund 
at $3,543.71. Total income from the pre-conference was $1190.07.

Councilor Patricia Switzer announced that more than five hundred 
individuals hold office in the Texas Library Association.  She 
explained that a bylaws change limiting the number of offices which 
one individual can hold would encourage participation by more 
persons in the organization.  She also requested input concerning 
a resolution identifying libraries as educational institutions 
eligible for additional funding.

Bill Hord distributed a summary of participants' evaluations of the 
Reference Round.Table Preconference.  Evaluations were generally 
favorable.

Donald Buchwald distributed a draft of bylaws.  He stated that the
committee's intention was to clarify the bylaws, rather than to 
change them.  Members suggested some changes, including appointing 
a program chair if the vice-chair's position is vacated early in 
the year.  The group agreed that prospective changes will be 
published in the RRT newsletter in order to allow all members 
opportunity to evaluate them before voting.

Linda Newsome-Dillard solicited ideas for recruitment and public 
relations.  Suggestions included campaigning at library schools, 
using RRT stickers, writing letters to public library reference 
departments, advertising in district and systems newsletters, and 
offering a scholarship for a new librarian to attend Annual 
Conference. Members were encouraged to be individual public 
relations persons for the Round Table, as well.  Richard Dickey 
suggested that RRT members become active in the TLA Mentor Program; 
he circulated a sign-up sheet for the program.

John Hepner has resigned as newsletter editor in order to assume 
a similar position in the American Library Association.  The group 
expressed appreciation for his long years of excellent service as 
editor.  New RRT editors are Nancy Snauffer of Houston Public 
Library and Will Stuivenga of Southern Methodist University.
Newsletter contributions, both practical and scholarly, are 
welcome. The newsletter could include suggestions about problem 
patrons or difficult questions, reference policies at various 
libraies, and answers to questions on Internet.

Elaine Klobe presented a report on the first TLA TALL Texans 
Leadership Institute, which was held July 11-15, 1994.  Thanking 
the Reference Round Table for their stipend, she stated that RRT 
has helped to fund a leadership program which will benefit Texas 
libraries as a whole.

Gretchen Hoffman announced that RRT has a booth reserved at the 
1995 Annual Conference.  We will sell Texas Reference Sources both 
at our booth and at the TLA Store.  We will again use RRT stickers 
to publicize the Round Table.  Linda Newsome-Dillard will work on 
a flier explaining the Reference Round Table.

Melinda Townsel-Winston recommended that the Lois Bebout Award 
consist of .$150 and a plaque.  To maintain confidentiality 
concerning premature release of the recipient's name, the executive 
board will vote by private ballot.

Bob Kelley, Nominating Committee Chair, presented the slate of 
candidates for 1995-96 officers:
	Vice Chair/Chair Elect: Linda Newsome-Dillard, Fort Bend 
County Library; Claudette Hagle, University of Dallas
	Secretary/Treasurer:  Fran Ebbers, Saint Edward's University;
Elaine Klobe, Nicholson Memorial Library
	Nominating Committee: John Becker, Texas Tech; Marilynn 
Green, University of Houston; Noe Guerra, Delmar College; Marian 
Jackson, Tyler Junior College; Bob Kelley, Lon Morris College.

Patricia Switzer will serve as Reference Round Table Affiliate 
Councilor for the American Library Association.

Vice Chair Cherry Luedke suggested topics for the 1995 Conference 
program.  We will present a panel discussion on providing excellent 
service, featuring representatives from various types of libraries. 
Suggestions for presenters were offered, including Dr. Herman 
Totten as a possible moderator.

Joyce Hopkins will chair an ad hoc committee to consider offering 
an award for a new reference source about Texas.  Other committee 
members are Ron Glass and Cherry Luedke.

TLA liaison Julie Todaro submitted a memorandum (which was 
delivered too late for discussion at the meeting) explaining TLA's 
position on taking 20% of pre-conference proceeds.  The fee is for 
staff time spent in registration, accounting, negotiating space and 
lodging, and handling special issues.  In comparison, TLA takes a 
smaller percentage than ALA does for similar situations.

The meeting was adjourned at 6 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Elaine Klobe, secretary
Copyright Š2007, Reference Round Table, TLA
