The annual Business Meeting of the Public Library Division of the Art Libraries Society of North America was held April 6, 1997 at the St. Anthony Hotel, San Antonio, Texas with twelve members attending. Moderator Suzy Frechette introduced incoming ARLIS/NA Vice-Presidenmember Graham, who briefly visited the group to introduce herself and outline her duties as Board Liaison to the Divisions and Sections. Incoming Board member Lee Sorensen also attended most of the meeting in order to report progress and activities to the Executive Board.
After brief introductions by all attending, the Moderator and Update Column Editor positions were selected. Suzy Frechette of St. Louis Public Library agreed to remain Moderator for one more year, and Ruth Games of Dallas Public Library agreed to remain Column Editor.
Several good suggestions for program topics for the 1998 Conference in Philadelphia were discussed. Among them were The Librarian as curator; Security issues: from rare materials to computers; Local artists: files, databases, exhibits; and Fundraising, partnerships and development efforts: how they affect library activity.
During the discussion it was noted that all attending, except one retired member, now have access to e-mail. This is quite a step for the Division, which just a few years ago had almost no electronic access. The possibility member, now have access to e-mail. This is quite a step for the Division, which just a few years ago had almost no electronic access. The possibility of establishing an e-mail distribution list for the Division was discussed, but no firm decision to move forward was made. For now, use of ARLIS-L was deemed appropriate and not disruptive to members of other Divisions.
The recently-adopted ARLIS/NA Strategic Plan was discussed, especially those items pertaining to the Divisions. Much of the previous discussion of program topics involved opportunities for multi-group involvement; the group felt that this goal is well on the way to being met. Indeed, it is almost a given that most ARLIS/NA activities will necessarily involve more than one group. Public libraries are involved daily in bringing art sources to non-art clientele. All members were encouraged to be on the lookout for appropriate web sites and other materials that should be included on the ARLIS/NA Home page.
At the close of the meeting, all were encouraged to attend the upcoming session which the Division was co-sponsoring, sessions whose speakers included Division members, and the inaugural Public Libraries Discussion session which the Division was co-sponsoring, sessions whose speakers included Division members, and the inaugural Public Libraries Discussion Group.
Suzy Frechette
Fine Arts Department
Saint Louis Public Library
JFrechette@aol.com