The meeting began at 7:30 a.m. with a breakfast sponsored by the American Physical Society (APS). Joanne Goode, chair, thanked the APS for sponsoring our breakfast as well as the American Mathematical Society (AMS) for sponsoring the Division membership directory. Guests Mina Chung, Gail Gronlund, and Charlie Muller, APS representatives, plus Don Babbitt, Wendy Bucci, and Annette Emerson, AMS representatives, were introduced. The SLA Board proctor was Dorothy McGarry.
After the current board members were introduced and thanked, special gifts were presented to outgoing board members. New members were asked to stand and be recognized.
It was noted that the 1996 business meeting minutes were approved and published in the PAM Bulletin of August 1996. Pam Yorks, treasurer, distributed the 1996 annual financial statement of division operating budget and the 1997 midyear financial statement (treasurer's report) with an explanation of division funds status as of May 31, 1997. The minutes of the Board discussions conducted by e-mail, 1996-1997, were read.
Committee Reports:
Jack Weigel, archivist, reminded members to submit materials to him. He announced that since he would be stepping down from that position, the division needed a volunteer to fill it. He also reminded members that our 25th anniversary as an officially approved division will be this coming October (1997).
Nancy Anderson announced that there would be no division award this year, but a PAM Member Achievement award had been created and would be presented later in the proceedings.
Dorothy Manderscheid (on behalf of Nancy Curtis) reported that this had been a transition year for the government relations committee. They debated whether their role is to inform members or be an active lobby and whether to concentrate on general or specific issues. They clarified and refocused goals to include improving dissemination of information to division members as well as within the Association, and communicating better with SLA-wide government relations committee. A summary will be published in the PAM Bulletin.
Brenda Corbin reported that the international relations committee had sought financial support for sponsorship of international colleague attendance at SLA Annual Conference as well as for special projects with libraries in economically disadvantaged nations. They are still seeking sources of funding. Member ideas are welcomed.
Maxine Moser reviewed membership accomplishments: directory distribution, directory enhancements, new member welcoming letter, non-renewal follow-up, and AMS's renewal of directory support.
Michael Leach reported that the professional development survey resulted in identifying "the licensing of electronic journals" as the top topic choice for next year's program.
Barbara Chu summarized public relations achievements: Marlene Cummins' poster session at AAS meeting, rolodex cards continue, brochure reprinting, and pricelist of future promotional items developed.
The networking committee has already presented a summarized report to the executive board.
Old Business:
The decision to move PAMnet to an SLA headquarters machine has been suspended due to association executives decision, without consulting the membership, to use corporate sponsorship and thus allow advertising on division listserves. A straw vote indicated overwhelming support by members in attendance of the decision suspension. Joanne Goode, chair, will read a statement to this effect at the upcoming SLA Cabinet meeting.
The strategic planning committee will survey our members regarding preferences for paper versus electronic versions of PAM Bulletin as well as any mix of those two.
New Business:
Molly White presented the slate of nominees. There was a motion to close the nominations. It was moved, seconded, and unanimously approved. The officers and terms for 1997-98 are: Liz Bryson, Chair; Brenda Corbin, Chair-elect; Joanne Goode, Past-chair; Pam Yorks, Treasurer (through 98); and Jane Holmquist, Secretary (through June 99). Laurel Kristick is the new Bulletin editor and Mary Strife will continue as assistant editor.
The PAM Achievement Awards were announced and presented by Nancy Anderson. The recipients are: Ellen Bouton, National Radio Astronomy Observatory; Marlene Cummins, University of Toronto; Sarah Stevens-Rayburn, Space Telescope Science Institute; and Jack Weigel, University of Michigan.
Friends of LISA III seeks funding to assist librarians from eastern Europe and developing nations to attend those meetings. SLA will continue to donate $2000. of support.
Announcements:
The division procedures manual is on our website. Members can look at it freely; exploring officer and volunteer opportunities.
New Committee chairs were announced:
- David Stern, Web Manager
- Kristine Fowler, Membership
- Bert Tepaske-King, Networking
- Jean Poland, Nominating
- Joe Kraus, Awards
- Michael Leach, Professional Development
- Barbara Chu, Public Relations
- Karen Croneis, Strategic Planning
Remember Team Indy is actively planning.
Call for papers for Indianapolis `98
Harry Lustig of APS sent his apologies for not being able to attend our meetings this year; he was involved in a court trial.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 A.M.
- Following up on the June 12 Board meeting, several changes to the division procedure manual were discussed and approved.
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Created by: Laurel Kristick, August 1, 1997Minutes
SLA Physics-Astronomy-Mathematics Division Board Discussions
1996-1997, conducted via E-mail
In chronological order:
- A new liaison relationship was established with INSPEC. Molly White agreed to serve a three-year term.
- A letter from the division to NSF protesting its closing of the Geometry Center was approved.
- To reduce expenses of publishing the PAM Bulletin, plans were discussed to phase out or greatly reduce the number of printed copies.
- The proposal from the Awards Committee to create a member achievement award was approved.
- Some enhancements for the PAM Directory which parallel those being added to the WebPage were discussed and approved.
- The list submitted by the PR Committee of promotional tools which might be developed for next year was discussed.
- A sensitive offer of sponsorship was debated and declined.
- Ways in which to reconcile our financial books in a more timely manner were discussed and approved.
Modified by: Laurel Kristick, October 26, 1997