My current position is head of the Physics Mathematics Astronomy Library at the University of Texas at Austin. UT is a large institution with an enrollment of 48,000 and is one of the larger research libraries in the country. There are five science branch libraries, and the science librarians work closely together to coordinate services, develop collections, and to share concerns. I have been in the position since 1991, and my predecessor was Karen Croneis, a member who is currently heading the PAM survey efforts. My academic background was history and government, and I previously held librarian positions in other science branches. My professional history includes a position in tech services immediately out of library school. There was a career hiatus in which I worked in the local film business and did family duty for several years. My cousin Rebecca Wesley, a PAM member from Stanford, gets credit for encouraging my return to the library profession.
The PAM division and the listserv have been wonderful sources of information and support. I've served on the nominating committee, moderated the Math Roundtable and have accepted the nomination as the next chair-elect.
The position of INSPEC liaison is relatively new. At the Boston meeting the board decided to work on fostering more liaison relationships with database producers and publishers that are important to the work of PAM members. The chair approached IEE and proposed that PAM establish a liaison position to facilitate communication between the two groups. INSPEC agreed to the arrangement, and I accepted the appointment in October 1996.
INSPEC issues are of great import to physics, astronomy, computer science, and electrical engineering. The liaison position provides a chance to strengthen communication between the user community and the publisher. The relationship is still in its formative stages, and consists of informal meetings at conferences and phone calls as necessary to discuss concerns and share information. Michele Day, INSPEC's western hemisphere representative, is the principal contact. A personal goal of mine has been a discussion of INSPEC pricing options, and I was pleased to see that INSPEC has listened to customer concerns and recently announced changes in its pricing structure. The liaison's term is loosely three years, but I will step down when new chair-elect duties begin in June. Brenda Corbin, will appoint a new INSPEC liaison in the near future.
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