July 16, 2000

Brian Striman, Chair, called the meeting to order and thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.

Secretary/Treasurer report: Cindy Cicco called for approval of the minutes from our last meeting which were published in TSLL, v. 25, no. 1. The motion carried. She reported that for the fiscal year which began on October 1, 1998, our balance was $7,549.42. Our income in FY99 was $1,827.38 and our expenses were $2,901.22, leaving a balance of $6,475.58. Thus far in fiscal year 2000, our income is $1,005.73 and expenses are $138.38, leaving a balance of $7,342.53. Anticipated expenses for this meeting are approximately $1,500. Brian asked for a motion to approve the Treasurer's report. The motion was seconded and carried.

We mailed 322 ballots, of which 132 were returned. This is a 41% return rate, which was a higher return rate than last year. Ismael Gullon was elected Vice-Chair/Chair Elect and Susan Chinoransky was elected Member-at-Large. Cindy thanked Nominating Committee members Sue Roach, Sally Wambold and chair, Aurtoro Toures, as well as all the candidates. She asked for permission to destroy the ballots. The motion carried.

Reports of Committees and Representatives:

CONELL Marketplace: Diana Osbaldiston reported that business at the table was brisk during the entire time period. She explained the aims of OBS-SIS and handed out key rings, brochures and candy to all who stopped by the table. She also mentioned the joint research grant and joint Research Roundtable. Diana thanked Jack Bissett for sending the brochures and Georgia Briscoe for the key rings. There was not much interest in the trivia quiz. Diana thanked everyone for the honor of representing the section at CONELL.

TS/OBS/CS/RIPS Reception: Georgia Briscoe reported that approximately 175 people attended the reception on Saturday evening. From all reports it was a great success.

Activities Area Table: Georgia Briscoe reported she ordered 500 key rings to distribute at our table. She thanked Ellen McGrath and Jack Bissett for their help with the table. We have the key tags, a basket of candy, the paperback swap, Biddle Law Library's copy of the Law Library Systems Directory, the brochure, and handouts at the table. The table was fully staffed this year.

Time Capsule: Susan Chinoransky thanked everyone for contributing items for the capsule. The first capsule was damaged but she was able to exchange it for an undamaged one. On Tuesday afternoon there will be a ceremony in the Exhibit Hall to close the capsules.

Local Systems Committee: Pat Callaghan reported they would be presenting an informal program during their Committee meeting slot on Wednesday. Regina Wallen will be speaking on Stanford's experience alpha testing acquisitions/serials in the SIRSI system, Adrian White will be speaking about Howard University's experience beta testing Innovative's serials and circulation modules.

OCLC/WLN Committee: Susan Chinoransky reported that Michael Maben will be the new committee chair. They will have a speaker from Palinet giving an OCLC update at their meeting. Brian Striman thanked Susan for her work as Chair and TSLL OCLC Columnist.

Research Roundtable: LeGrande Fletcher, Coordinator, could not be at the meeting this year. Brian Striman announced that Becky Lutkenhaus is the new Roundtable Co-coordinator. Becky reported that 18 people attended the discussion this year. Anna Belle Leiserson and Brian Striman spoke and a list of publishing opportunities was distributed at the meeting.

Education Committee: Ismael Gullon announced the members of the Committee and invited anyone with proposals to contact someone on the Committee. He described the proposals they are working on for next year's meeting in Minneapolis. Their meeting will be held on Tuesday from 12:15 to 1:30 in the Marriott.

Webmaster: Brian Striman gave the report for Sarah Andeen. There was a problem during the last year with keeping the Web site up to date. Ellen is working on getting a new Webmaster and revamping the Web site. Those interested in assisting with the Web site should contact Ellen McGrath.

Nominations Committee: Brian announced that Ellen will be looking for a Committee Chair. Those interested should contact her. [Jack Bissett agreed later in the week to be OBS Nominations Committee Chair.]

Joint Research Grant Committee: Corinne Jacox reviewed the purpose of the grant and past grant winners. She announced that our winner this year was Larry Dershem. He was awarded $1,000 to research enhancement of the LC classification system. If anyone is interested in applying for the grant next year, they should contact Corinne either at the meeting or the information is available on both the OBS and TS Web sites.

MARBI Representative: Rhonda Lawrence reported she had her full report available as a handout here and also available at the OBS and TS activity tables. The proposed changes to the MARC format will be discussed at a meeting on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. Rhonda described some of the changes in the proposal.

RLIN Committee: Anne Meyers reported there were no issues to discuss so the Committee decided not to have a meeting in Philadelphia this year. They plan to hold a meeting next year in Minneapolis.

Technical Services Law Librarian: Linda Tesar reported that volume 25 is finished. They are looking for new columnists for the "MARC Remarks" and "Description & Entry" column. Aaron Kuperman will be the new "Subject Headings" columnist. Jim Mumm and Dick Vaughn will be the new "Acquisitions" columnists. Susan Goldner will be working on the 25 year index to TSLL. The deadline for the next issue is August 15. The TSLL board meeting will be held tomorrow. The Serials Issues column was a new column during the last year. Linda said the editors are always open to suggestions or ideas for new columns or articles, both lead and filler. Anna Belle Leiserson thanked Cindy May, Business Manager, the columnists and Webmaster for their work during the past year.

New Business:

Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Committee: Sally Wambold reviewed the activities of the Committee thus far. The Committee will be meeting at Biddle Law Library on Monday at 10:00 a.m. with Gail Warren to write a mission statement and goals. Sally asked the membership to give the Committee any ideas they might have regarding strategic planning. Brian Striman announced that OBS will not investigate the merger issue until the strategic planning committee has completed its work. Discussion was held on this approach.

Installation of New Board Members: Ellen McGrath thanked Marla Schwartz and Jack Bissett for their work on the Board this past year. Brian Striman introduced new board members Ismael Gullon, Vice-Chair/Chair Elect and Susan Chinoransky, Member-at-Large. Brian thanked Cindy Cicco and Ellen McGrath for their work as well. The transition to Ellen as Chair then took place.

Announcements:

Carol Nicholson announced a copy of the Law Library Systems Directory is at the table in the activities area. The new release is at the printer and will be published soon. This will be the last printed version of the directory. She will be talking to representatives from the Wm. S. Hein Company about offering an electronic version. She invited members to review the directory and send comments about possible changes to her. She hopes to have the electronic version available sometime next year.

Ellen McGrath announced that a list of OBS sponsored programs and meetings was available for members at the meeting. It is also published in today's convention newspaper.

Ellen also announced she is the AALL Annual Meeting Program Committee liaison to the TS, OBS, and Micrographics/AV SISs. She asked everyone with a program idea to give them to her or Ismael Gullon. The deadline for program proposals is August 14.

Ellen McGrath said she plans to focus on strategic planning and the revision of the Web site during the coming year.

Brian Striman showed the membership the plaque the section is awarding to Jack Bissett, past Chair. Ellen McGrath presented a gift to Brian Striman on behalf of the membership to thank him for his hard work as Chair.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Cynthia A. Cicco
Secretary/Treasurer
cicco@law.pitt.edu