GoDig Meeting Minutes - February 21, 2003

Minutes from the GoDIG meeting of February 21, 2003 at Tisch Library, Tufts University

Attendees:

Kathy Berry, Boston College, berryka@bc.edu
Betty Febo, Wellesley College, efebo@wellesley.edu
Gail Fithian, Boston Public Library gfithian@bpl.org
Bob Kehner, MIT, kehner@mit.edu
Rebecca Ohm, Williams College, rohm@williams.edu
Roxanne Palmatier, Northeastern University, r.palmatier@neu.edu
Martha Penzer, Simmons College and Boston College, Martha.Penzer@simmons.edu
Connie Reik, Tufts University, creik@ase.tufts.edu
Mark C. Scott, State Library of Massachusetts, mark.scott@state.ma.us
Ralph Szymczak, Brandeis University, szymczak@brandeis.edu

Agenda Item One, Reports from ALA Mid-Winter:

No member present attended Mid-Winter. Susan Tulis’s summary of ALA/GODORT Conference activities was posted to govdoc-l on February 3^rd.

At the November meeting, members expressed concern about the GPO inspector’s written evaluations of our self-study documents. Phone interviews with the inspector were very constructive and emphasized the depository’s strengths as well as its shortcomings. The written reports focused exclusively on recommendations for improvement. We are concerned that library administrators see only the areas where remedial effort is required; the reports don’t reflect strengths and achievements.

Gail forwarded our concerns to Robin Haun-Mohamad at GPO. Robin suggested that individual libraries pursue their concerns with the inspector. With Robin’s permission, Gail will post a copy of Robin’s response on godig-l.

BPL’s Government Documents Department is now responsible for all patent and trademark collections and services formerly provided by the Science Reference Department. Two Documents Department staff members will attend a patent and trademark conference in the near future. Both the Science Reference and Humanities Reference divisions of BPL have been incorporated into general reference. The Social Sciences Reference Department is still in operation.

The State Plan is now ready for distribution. Gail will send an electronic copy of the plan to each depository. We’ll be responsible for printing the report and delivering it to our directors for their signature. Gail will send a cover letter to the directors; she’ll notify us when she is ready to mail the letters and forward the plan.

The State Plan listserv will probably be hosted by Boston Public Library. We’re seeking alternative listserv hosts in the event that BPL’s Systems Department is unable to undertake this project. If your institution is willing to host the State Plan listserv, please contact Gail (gfithian@bpl.org).

BLC staff members have not responded to our query about the availability of funding for a new edition of the GoDIG bookmark. Betty Febo suggested that we consider ways in which the GoDIG web pages may be used in lieu of or in addition to the bookmark.

The group had a lengthy discussion of ways to publicize our collections and services. We discussed potential target audiences (public libraries, government officials, local chambers of commerce, etc.) and ways to reach these audiences (newsletter articles, presentations, bookmarks, or other handouts, etc.). We decided to devote the April meeting to a discussion of publicity/public relations activities; we will also review the existing GoDIG web pages to see how our web presence might support a public relations initiative.

Gail reported that BPL has received a grant to provide outreach to the Boston Public Schools. Government Documents Department staff will participate in this project.

Several potential projects/programs were discussed. GPLNE and GoDIG will consider following up on the proposal to present a program on what it means to be a depository library in an increasingly electronic environment. Ideally, one or several GPO staff members would participate in this program.

We also discussed the possibility of organizing a joint GPLNE/GoDIG full day vendor fair. It’s difficult for any individual to keep up with all of the products and services available to documents staff. A program of this kind would provide an opportunity for us to educate ourselves about the vendors and their offerings.

Bette Febo reminded us of the March 7^th GPLNE meeting at Connecticut College. Geolytics staff will demo their various Census products. There will also be a discussion of GPLNE’s status as it appears that the group’s association with NELINET will end. Options include applying for individual non-profit status or affiliating with an organization like ACRL New England or NELA.

The next meeting will be held on Friday, April 25^th. Locations under consideration include U Mass Boston, the State Archives, or the JFK Library.

Recorder: Roxanne Palmatier

• Elizabeth B. Febo efebo@wellesley.edu
• Government Documents, Wellesley College
• Date Created: February 24, 2003
• Date Revised: February 24, 2003
• Expiration Date: permanent