ACRL College & Research Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

ACRL Board of Directors

NEWS

No. 4, April 1969

ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries, Vol. 30, No. 2

MIDWINTER CONFERENCE WASHINGTON, D.C. 1969

Brief of Minutes

January 30, 1969—10:00 a.m.

Present: President, David Kaser; Vice President and President-Elect, Philip J. McNiff Past President and ACRL Representative to PEBCO, James Humphry, III; Directors-at- Large, Thomas R. Buckman, James H. Richards, Jr., Norman E. Tanis, David C. Weber; Directors on ALA Council (non-voting), Andrew Horn, W. Carl Jackson, Sarah D. Jones, Kathryn R. Renfro, James O. Wallace; Chairmen of Sections, Shirley A. Edsall, Evan Ira Farber, Thomas D. Gillies, G. F. Shepherd, Jr.; Vice-Chairmen and Chairmen-Elect of Sections, Robert J. Adelsperger, Ruthe Erickson, Marcia J. Miller; Executive Secretary, J. Donald Thomas; Secretary, Santa Dimiceli.

Guests included: Chairmen of committees, H. Vail Deale, Anne C. Edmonds, A. P. Marshall; Richard L. Snyder, Past Chairman, Subject Specialists Section; Joseph A. Placek, Vice Chairman and Chairman-Elect, Slavic and East European Subsection; George J. Maciuszko, Past Chairman, Slavic and East European Subsection.

President David Kaser presided.

(Note: Individual reports of ACRL activities were mailed to members of the Board of Directors and are available to ACRL members upon request. Wherever necessary, information from the reports will be added to the minutes.)

Members of the Board of Directors and guests introduced themselves.

President Kaser proposed that the Brief of Minutes of the Board of Directors meeting in Kansas City be approved as published.

James Humphry, III reported on the meeting of PEBCO stating that there was nothing to indicate that ALA’s financial position would improve next year. A cut of approximately $655,000 reduced ALA’s current budget and as a result no new activities can take place this year, except those considered and approved as exceptionally urgent. The stated reason for the continuing deficit is that money had been taken from ALA endowment funds and that it has been decided to restore these funds as originally planned. In addition, some foundation grants have expired, thereby affecting the operating budget.

In order to study the total budget as presented by all of the divisions and the various ALA committees for the coming fiscal year, it was reported that a committee composed of the Past President, President-elect and Treasurer of ALA plus three Division Past Presidents (including Mr. Humphry) had been appointed and/or elected.

Mr. Humphry reported that ALA dues are being studied and will probably be increased in 1970. Mr. Kaser expressed a preference for a gradual increase of dues in order to avoid curtailment of needed activities. The Board concurred.

It was urged that all budget requests for the coming year be submitted immediately after Midwinter.

It was suggested that, in the future, all ACRL budget proposals be presented before Midwinter to allow adequate time for proper evaluation by both ACRL and by PEBCO. Mr. Kaser suggested that this possibility be presented to the Planning and Action Committee at its next meeting.

Mr. McNiff reported on the first meeting of the Planning and Action Committee. With reference to the comments on the role of ACRL committees, sections and subsections, he stated he had received reports from several committees including Community Use of Academic Libraries, ACRL International Relations, Publications, Library Services, Library Surveys, College Libraries Section Committee on Non- Western Resources, the Subject Specialists Section and Agriculture and Biological Sciences Subsection. Most of these committees feel that they have performed in accordance with their statements of purpose and that they should continue to function. Mark Gormley feels that the Publications Committee is an extremely important body even though it is not continually active, and that it can serve many important functions. Mr. Buckman’s report on the ACRL International Relations Committee indicated that perhaps this committee’s functions could be accomplished by the parent committee. The Committee on Library Services suggested that it might become a subcommittee of the ALA Committee on Instruction in the Use of Libraries.

Mr. McNiff stated further that there has been some response on the need for improvement of communications within ACRL committees, sections and subsections and that with further reference to the evaluation of ACRL’s organizational structure, all members of the Planning and Action Committee will review and analyze function statements of all committees, sections and subsections.

Discussion followed Mr. McNiff’s review of the evaluation of ACRL’s organizational structure. Mr. Shepherd stated that the University Libraries Section had already eliminated two of its committees (Ad Hoc Committee on Academic Status and Research and Development Committee), and that some consideration might be given to combining the Ad Hoc Committee on Cooperation with Educational and Professional Organizations with the Committee on Library Services. H. Vail Deale reported that the Grants Committee is reevaluating its position. The question was raised as to whether or not the Ad Hoc Committee on Relations with ARL should be continued. With further reference to the elimination of the ACRL International Relations Committee, Mr. Buckman commented that the projects outlined by this committee are too elaborate and far-reaching to be carried out by a divisional committee and suggested that we could maintain relations with the ALA Committee through proper representation. Mr. Kaser added that the elimination of this committee should not be interpreted as disinterest, and that we should maintain our liaison by having a college or university librarian represent ACRL at the parent committee.

It was recommended that the ACRL National Library Week Committee be eliminated. Mr. Weber concurred with this recommendation.

As to the Ad Hoc Committee on Relations with ARL, Mr. Tanis spoke in favor of retaining this committee. However, it was agreed that the committee would be abolished, but that suitable liaison with ARL would be established.

Mr. Kaser recommended that the activities of the Advisory Committee on Cooperation with Educational and Professional Organizations and the Committee on Liaison with Accrediting Agencies be combined.

Mr. Kaser stated that the Subject Specialists Section should be set up as a Division of ALA, with the present subsections set up as sections. Messrs. Buckman, Maciuszko, and Gillies concurred. Mr. McNiff suggested that such a division be called “Area Specialists.”

It was recommended that elimination of any or all of the above committees be referred to the Planning and Action Committee for action at its second meeting.

Mr. Stephen A. McCarthy, Executive Director of the Association of Research Libraries, gave a brief history of ARL, noting its considerable growth and expansion—particularly since 1962.

In connection with the Planning and Action Committee’s recommendation at the Midwinter Meeting, 1968, that ACRL seek to establish a joint committee with the American Council of Learned Societies, it was recommended that ARL be invited to join the group if it should so choose, and it was further recommended that a statement of activities and purpose be secured from ACLS, and that this information be circulated to the membership to determine whether or not ACRL should undertake this affiliation.

ACRL Membership

Feb. 28, 1969	13,654
Feb. 29, 1968	13,327
Feb. 28, 1967	12,036
Feb. 28, 1966	10,509

Mr. Kaser reported on the poll on Social Responsibilities Round Table. An ad hoc committee composed of G. F. Shepherd, Jr., Chairman, ULS; Shirley Edsall, Chairman, JCLS; and James Humphry, III, Past President of ACRL, had been previously appointed to study the question. This committee, upon completion of its deliberations, took the following position: “ACRL recommends the establishment of a Round Table on Social Responsibilities on an ad hoc basis with the admonition that the Round Table maintain close relations with other pertinent national organizations, as well as organizations within ALA, to assure the coordination and the elimination of overlap of activities.”

With reference to the appointment of ACRL Historian for the ALA Centennial, James H. Richards, Jr., moved that tire project of identifying an ACRL historian for the Centennial be referred to the Publications Committee with the suggestion that it solicit qualified persons and notify them of the need for preparing an official history of ACRL. The motion CARRIED.

Mr. Kaser reviewed the California Library Association’s request for the ALA Executive Board’s support and endorsement of the State College Librarians Division Resolution for full faculty status. As this matter had been referred to the Standards Committee, Mr. Tanis reported that the Committee passed the following resolution: “We recommend to the ACRL Board of Directors that the resolution of the California Library Association be referred to the appropriate committee or an ad hoc committee be established to study this problem and report what action, if any, should be taken at the Atlantic City Conference. We wish to remind the ACRL Board of the status of College Libraries Standards as guidelines rather than prescriptive statements.” Mr. Tanis stated further that ACRL’s role should not be that of a sanctioning board but rather its purpose is to study and analyze this type of problem.

Mr. Kaser added that we should examine ourselves to determine whether ACRL is an organization to impose sanctions or an organization to promote the professional growth of its members. Mr. Buckman felt the California question should be referred to AAUP. Miss Edmonds thought the California Libraries group should first approach the local accrediting agency. Further discussion pointed out that there are other institutions with similar academic status problems and that, if the association undertakes the requested action, a precedent would be established. Mr. Kaser suggested that this problem be presented to the Planning and Action Committee for its consideration.

Mr. Adelsperger reported that the location of the joint ACRL-BSA Rare Books Section Preconference had been questioned. The Preconference is scheduled in Philadelphia rather than in Atlantic City. Mr. Adelsperger stated that there would be many problems if the location were to be changed to Atlantic City. Also, he mentioned that there is strong objection to the $10.00 surcharge for the Rare Books Section Preconference fee from non- ACRL personnel who are attending as BSA members.

David Weber questioned the inability of some members of the ACRL Board of Directors to vote at Board meetings. Carl Jackson added that it is embarrassing to have both voting and non-voting members of the Board.

It was moved that the question of voting and non-voting members of the ACRL Board of Directors be referred to the Planning and Action Committee for action. The motion was seconded and carried.

The meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.

Brief of Minutes

January 31, 1969—10:00 a.m.

Present: President, David Kaser; Vice President and President-Elect, Philip J. McNiff; Past President and ACRL Representative to PEBCO, James Humphry, III; Directors-at- Large, James H. Richards, Jr., Norman E. Tanis; Directors on ALA Council, Andrew H. Hom, Sarah D. Jones, Kathryn Renfro; Chairmen of Sections, Shirley Edsall, Evan Ira Farber, Thomas D. Gillies, G. F. Shepherd, Jr.; Vice- Chairmen and Chairmen-Elect, Ruthe Erickson, Marcia Miller, John E. Scott; Executive Secretary, J. Donald Thomas; Secretary, Santa Dimiceli.

Guests included: Chairmen of Committees, H. Vail Deale, Anne C. Edmonds, Mina E. Hoyer, Katharine Stokes; Peter M. Doiron, Editor of CHOICE; Clifford R. Fulton, Advertising and Promotion Manager of CHOICE; Joseph H. Treyz, Chairman, CHOICE Editorial Board.

President David Kaser presided.

In the absence of Mr. McCoy, Mr. Kaser read his report on the Atlantic City Six-Division Program Planning meeting. He announced that there are two preconferences planned for Atlantic City: ACRL-BSA Rare Books Section “Early Americana” and the AAJC-JCLS “New Strategies for Learning.” The Subject Specialists Section and the University Libraries Section also announced programs for Atlantic City.

It was suggested that in lieu of individual programs, future conference planning should consider an integrated program extending over a two or three year period which would benefit the entire membership in professional advancement.

On the recommendation of the Planning and Action Committee, it was moved to abolish the ACRL International Relations Committee and the ACRL National Library Week Committee, provided proper liaison can be maintained between ACRL and the parent committees.

The recommendation for elimination of the National Library Week Committee was based on the belief that this committee is not relevant to the activities of ACRL. Mrs. Hoyer reported that due to budgetary restrictions the work of this committee is very difficult to carry out and one major project had not been completed.

It was voted to abolish the Ad Hoc Committee on Relations with ARL, but recommended that new methods of establishing relationships be explored. Mr. Kaser stated that an account of ARL activities is regularly published in CRL News.

The Planning and Action Committee recommended the possibility of combining the Advisory Committee on Cooperation with Educational and Professional Organizations with the Committee on Liaison with Accrediting Agencies. Miss Edmonds concurred. Mr. Tanis concurred, but went on to state that actually the function of the Committee on Liaison with Accrediting Agencies is to carry out standards, and that it should be combined with the Standards Committee. A motion to combine the Advisory Committee on Cooperation with Educational and Professional Organizations with the Committee on Liaison with Accrediting Agencies was defeated. Mr. Tanis then moved that the Committee on Liaison with Accrediting Agencies be combined with the Standards Committee. Motion carried.

It was voted to establish an ad hoc committee to revise the ACRL Constitution and Bylaws in order to make all members of the Board of Directors voting members.

The ACRL Publications Committee recommended and the Board voted that the name of the Microcard Series be changed to “Microform Series.”

Because of the rapid expansion of the Subject Specialists Section and the diversified inerests of its membership, it was moved that ACRL recommend that ALA make this Section a Division of ALA.

Concerning the California Library Association’s resolution for full faculty status, Mr. Mc- Niff read Mr. Tanis’ report relating to this matter. It was agreed that this resolution has many more implications than appear on the surface and that clarification of the statement was needed before any action could be taken. Further discussion indicated that this is also of major interest to the LAD, the AAUP, and other professional organizations. It was moved that Mr. Kaser direct a letter to the ALA Executive Board expressing the sentiments of the Board of Directors.

The Committee on Appointments (1968) and Nominations (1969) announced that a slate of officers had been drawn up and that it would be submitted to the president-elect.

Mr. John B. Smith, reporting for Mr. E. J. Josey, chairman, Committee on Community Use of Academic Libraries, stated that the committee decided to withdraw its proposal for a regional in-depth survey of academic use of community libraries and that it would present a new proposal at a later date.

Miss Katharine Stokes reporting for the Library Services Committee stated that the committee members had reviewed the committee’s activities and all were in favor of continuing its work. A recommendation that this committee be continued will be made to COO.

Mr. Gormley’s report, in absentia, stated that the Publications Committee recommended Mr. Edward Holley as a possible successor for the Editor of the Monograph Series. Mr. Kaser reported that Mr. Holley had agreed to serve if appointed, and he asked Board concurrence in the appointment. There was no dissent.

The Ad Hoc Subcommittee for the Revision of the College Library Standards and the Ad Hoc Committee for the Revision of the Junior College Library Standards are planning work sessions within the near future to prepare fullscale drafts of the new standards.

Mr. Tanis reported that the Standards Committee voted to seek the assistance of the ACRL-ARL Joint Committee on University Library Standards in an effort to study federal overhead funding as it affects university libraries.

The AAJC-ALA (ACRL) Committee on Junior College Libraries will hold its meeting in March.

Copies of a draft proposal by CHOICE for “Supplements” to Books for College Libraries and a statement of purpose of CHOICE were distributed to the board members.

It was moved to approve the CHOICE Statement of Purpose and Responsibilities.

Mr. Joseph Treyz, Chairman, Editorial Board of CHOICE, reported that the Editorial Board hopes the proposal to publish Supplements to Books for College Libraries will be accepted and that ACRL will help in this matter. Mr. Kaser added that the Supplements are greatly desirable and that he does not understand why the Publishing Board is unwilling to act. Mr. Treyz added that outside publishing help could be obtained but that the Editorial Board would prefer publication through ALA. He discussed the various difficulties encountered with the Publishing Board.

Mr. Humphry moved that if necessary an ad hoc committee be appointed by the president to meet with the Publishing Board to determine the reason for the unusual delay in the publication of the Supplements, motion CARRIED.

Mr. Kaser announced that in the summer of 1969 he will resign as Editor of CRL after almost seven years. He reported that a new column of ERIC abstracts was now being published in CRL.

Mr. David Heron’s report on the Monograph Series, given in absentia, indicated that Monographs no. 29 and no. 30 are scheduled to appear in March. Monographs no. 31 and no. 32 are tentatively scheduled for the Fall.

Mr. A. P. Marshall reported on the ACRL A-V Committee, stating that the work of the committee is proceeding even though the committee is without funds and hopes that funds will be available so that the work can be completed. The main objectives of the committee for the past year and a half have been the compilation of guidelines which would offer meaningful aid to college librarians planning the installation of A-V services.

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The Legislation Committee reported that it received a letter from the Association of Research Libraries giving definite suggestions in the preparation of guidelines for the small college librarian, and also urging that ACRL work with colleges that offer a master’s degree, but do not have facilities for doctoral programs. The committee proposed to study these guidelines and to make recommendations that they be prepared by ACRL rather than ARL. Also, it was noted that small college libraries should be instructed in the methods of obtaining federal funds. It was moved that means of obtaining guidelines for Title IIA administration be brought to the attention of small college libraries by the Legislation Committee.

In view of the shortage of funds, the Slavic and East European Subcommittee has withdrawn its application for the J. Morris Jones— World Rook Encyclopedia, ALA Goals Award, for funding of the proposed revision of the Biographical Directory of Librarians in the Field of Slavic and East European Studies in favor of the project of the Slavic Holdings Committee to collect data and publish a Directory of Slavic Holdings in the libraries in the United States and Canada.

It was also announced that Mr. Edmond L. Applebaum will speak at the Annual meeting of the Slavic and East European Subcommittee in Atlantic City.

The Executive Committee of the Slavic and East European Subsection reported approval of plans for the publication of a second edition of the Biographical Directory of Librarians in the Field of Slavic and East European Studies.

Miss Katharine Stokes reported that the annual academic library statistics were to be pubhshed in January and brought a draft copy of the report for the Roard members to see. Miss Stokes also reported briefly on the Higher Education Act of 1965, Title IIA, and on the Economic Opportunity Act work study program.

The meeting adjourned at 12 noon.