Minutes
Fall Meeting
November
3 , 2000
New York University
Present: F. Acosta-Rodríguez (Chair), D. Block, A. Carreño, E. Flores, F. Fonseca, P. Graham, D. Hibay, J. Holub (recording PM), P.T. Johnson, E. Lozano, L. Shirey, D. Waller (recording AM). Absent: D. Hazen, Lourdes Vásquez, C. Rodríguez, P. Stern, Brown Univ, Dartmouth
Fernando welcomed members and thanked Angela for hosting Lane meeting.
1) AGENDA ITEM: LANE Webpage
Discussion focused on questions of webpage content and organization (e.g., should
the Union list be expanded or simplified; reconfiguration of the institutional
links subpage; scope statements introducing each subpage). Discussion regarding
the union list of newspapers included a report of who had completed assignments
from last year and what they had reported; should we concentrate on just newspapers
and not news magazines in attempting to clean up the list; might we redefine
what we will consider in terms of "collecting" newspapers to concentrate on
historic microfilm - create a historic record; perhaps better to clean up all
of the information first and check holdings accuracy at a later date; or eliminate
holdings information all together in preference to creating only a list of titles
owned by member libraries with links to online catalogs - Online catalogs at
each institution will be the most accurate - re-creating this information for
yet another separate list will not be cost and time efficient.
Action item: Each member will:
-Provide (to Frank Fonseca) a brief description of collection strengths and
ARL responsibilities. A link to collection development policy statement is acceptable.
Data to be compiled by Frank.
Action item: Each member will:
- Provide personal contact information for themselves, including name and email
address (voluntary). Members may instead provide an email address for reference
questions. Send information to Fernando.
Action item: Union list of newspapers
Review all titles listed for the each country ASAP for accurate information
including:
1) If ceased publication;
2) verify/add place of publication, beginning date, frequency, whether microfilm
exists for title;
3) record "free-access" web version address for applicable titles;
4) add any new titles that would seem important for inclusion in the Union list
for each country.
Reminder - Country/Region assignments:
Columbia - Brazil
Cornell - Ecuador, Peru
Harvard - Colombia, Spain
NYPL - Argentina, Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti
NYU - Mexico
Penn - Portugal
Pitt - Bolivia
Princeton - Chile, Honduras, El Salvador
Rutgers - Panama, Costa Rica
UConn - Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Uruguay
UMass - English Speaking Caribbean (***NEW***)
Yale - Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Guatemala
**We decided to eliminate US and BRITAIN - UMASS will now be responsible
for the English-speaking Caribbean
**ALWAYS put "Lane Newspapers" in Subject Field of e-mail to distinguish
the message.
**Denise will call Víctor Torres to propose a (another) Newspaper Summit
at SALALM 2001.
Action item:
Scope notes will be written for the following pages by the following members:
Video page - Angela
Microforms - Peter T.
Newspapers - Darlene
Members page - No one identified yet
Other sections - No one identified yet
2) AGENDA ITEM: LANE Page domain name
We have the opportunity to change page web address to
Action item: Fernando will register the new domain address.
3) AGENDA ITEM: Invited guests form IDC
and Norman Ross
Todd Bludeau (IDC) and Norman Ross (from Norman Ross) gave presentations on
filming projects they are currently involved in as well as past filming projects,
addressed some pricing issues, distributed handouts.
IDC primarily distributes films already done by others (e.g., the Argentine and Colombia films) but are eager to increase the amount of their own filming projects as well. IDC is interested in receiving a want list from LANE. IDC most interested in filming current newspapers - will do retrospective if there seems a demand. Pricing is generally $80.00 per roll - discounts may be considered. Regarding sales, Todd indicated that there is not much of a market currently in Latin America, except a few National Libraries. However, IDC is interested in further pursuing the L.A. market.
Norman Ross indicated there is a new employee at company, Elena Lee who will focus on Latin American and Spanish language materials. Norman has a number of representatives in a variety of countries in South America, Central America, Mexico, and Cuba. Also works in conjunction with some foundations such as Cerma in Guatemala. Filming such papers as Uno mas Uno in Mexico, Siglo XXI and Prensa in Guatemala. Ross also indicated that average price is $80.00 per reel - not as interested in providing discounts. Decisions on filming project for archives and library holdings in U.S. or worldwide depends on who owns the materials, how mujch will it cost to film, and can they recover the cost. For filming projects Ross will: 1) they will pay all cost of filming; 2) will provide original film free back to institution where materials held; 3) Ross gets a duplicate negative; 4) institution gets 10% royalty on sales.
4) AGENDA ITEM: LANE Newspaper collections
Fernando distributed a list of newspapers filmed by Montalvo indicating who
is subscribing to which papers. Edmundo reported that Montalvo is losing money.
LC is very interested in supporting Montalvo's continued filming. Hence, LC
has revised their contract with Montalvo to include payment for film (previously
LC received film free). This still constitutes a savings for LC. The contract
also stipulates that Montalvo obtain and maintain the subscription to the newspaper,
get permissions, and film, etc. This has allowed LC to cancel paper subscriptions
saving 1000s of dollars per year. Turn around time for film with Montalvo is
gennerally 3-4 months. Montalvo also has permission to film three Mexican newspapers
but only for LC - no permissions to distribute [Siglo XXI (Guadalajara),
Reforma (Mexico City), El Norte (Monterrey)]. Edmundo says that
by SALALM in Arizona we will be better able to know whether Montalvo will be
able to continue filming. If Montalvo stops filming it is very doubtful that
LC will be able to take back that responsibility given the administrative disarray
of LC's Photoduplication Division. David Block questioned our ability to continue
to rely on commercial ventures for Latin American newspaper film. He suggested
that perhaps each institution should decide to take claim for one newspaper
with intend of microfilming for preservation and lend to other institutions.
5) AGENDA ITEM: Videos
Angela reported that ILL of videos seems to be going well. Please report any
problems to Angela. NYU will continue to concentrate on collecting major films
and obtain performance rights for those. NYPL (Fernando) will concentrate on
collecting marginal videos.
The meeting adjourned for lunch at approx. 12:00 noon.
Afternoon Session
6) AGENDA ITEM: Serials
Peter Johnson had proposed greater cooperation among LANE members in sharing serial holdings information. He makes decisions on serial subscriptions in part on the basis of the available holdings information of other LANE libraries. Most responded, however, that there is insufficient staff and time to provide such information for all serials. PTJ noted that he has used RLIN for holdings, though FAR pointed out that RLIN is not reliable for holdings information. FAR suggested a focus on one country, perhaps, Cuba using the Publicaciones Cubanas Seriadas. Argentina and Brazil, he suggested, probably do not present too many problems because of reliable suppliers. Denise Hibay suggested a profile of collecting strengths in which each institution can survey its coverage of a specific country or subject.
LAPTOC, the ARL table of contents serials project, was discussed. FAR noted Scott Van Jacob’s information on Title VI funding. Still, the level of use for the database is not high. New York Public Library has done retrospective data entry, though it was agreed that more should be done to enhance LAPTOC, such as the kind of thesaurus found in the Bibliography of Asian Studies. DW noted, however, that subject headings can not be added on a voluntary basis. Denise Hibay suggested a full text feature. David Block said that there is a need for some analytics, which the current table-of-contents structure does not meet. PG suggested that the LAPTOC pages could be linked to publishers and fulltext articles. JH brought up ILL issues, including the failure to fill photocopy requests and the fact that some institutions charge other participating institutions for copies of articles. The LAPTOC administrators will ask that all participants continue not charging for copies.
7) AGENDA ITEM: Government documents
Regarding megacities, PTJ has looked at city web sites, which contain information that it is unlikely any library has ever acquired. He also reports that Carmen Muricy of the Library of Congress-Rio de Janeiro has noted a decrease in the printing of municipalities’ technical reports, many of which appear only online, but are not archived.
DB then demonstrated for the group a number of city web sites, including that of the legislature of the city of Buenos Aires www.legislatura.gov.ar/ and the government of Mexico’s Federal District www.df.gov.mx. DB had alerted the group to other municipal sites prior to the meeting:
Sao Paulo http://portal.prodam.sp.gov.br
Rio www.rio.rj.gov.br
Santiago http://santiago.ciudad.cl
Lima http://www.munlima.gob.pe
Bogota http://www.alcaldiabogota.gov.co
Montevideo http://www.imm.gub.uy
The Buenos Aires site is searchable. Again, all of these sites raise archiving issues, which may be appropriate for organizations such as LASA, CRL, and LAMP to consider.
8) AGENDA ITEM: SALALM
Ramón Abad suggested a workshop at IFLA, which meets in Boston on August 23. He said that many Latin American librarians are ignorant of SALALM or see it as an organization exclusively by and for U.S. librarians. The workshop, perhaps focusing on descriptions of major U.S. collections, could convey a more accurate image of SALALM. Denise Hibary, Dan Hazen, and Lynn Shirey will participate. At a Harvard-based session Dan will talk about cooperation. Víctor Torres and Laura Gutiérrez-Witt are also likely to attend. Cooperation was seen as a point of emphasis: LAMP, the ARL project, etc. PTJ urged presenting the tiered approach to cooperation: international, national, regional and local projects. Denise noted that this is an opportunity to further SALALM’s interest in greater cooperation with Latin American institutions. DW mentioned that the University of Connecticut map librarian is seeking a Latin American map specialist for an IFLA panel.
FAC took up the issue of planning for the next annual SALALM. One suggestion was to contribute to the REFORMA pre-conference activities. AC has taught summer courses for school librarians. Much like AC’s idea for a LANE workshop aimed at non-specialists, this could focus on dealing with approval plans, firm orders, the internet, and acquisitions. Dan Hazen did something similar in an ALA session devoted to collecting for Spain and Portugal. Additional suggestions were collections and the Latin American field (FAR) and collection assessment and selection strategies (AC).
As for other SALALM panels, DW will have one: “Seeing the Other: Visual Representations of Race.” It will include early 20th century Puerto Rican postcards; Peter Stern will talk about the Mexican muralists. There will be a fourth speaker as well.
Looking ahead, SALALM 2002 will be in Ithaca June 1-6. DH suggested a 19th century theme.
9) AGENDA ITEM: Cooperation
FAC brought up the issue of collecting ephemera, noting NYPL’s collection of political and electoral materials from Mexico. In view of NYPL’s ARL focus, it may collect more heavily in Venezuela. DW said that models are needed because of the difficulties of collecting ephemera. PTJ agreed, saying that it is necessary to have someone on site, who is willing to work hard and with whom there is constant feedback, including regular infusions of cash.. For example, Princeton has an agent in Ecuador who sends large quantities of material. PTJ added that ephemera are not easily catalogued. EF noted that the Library of Congress has done some relevant cataloging for its longstanding pamphlet collection.
10) AGENDA ITEM: Institutional Announcements
EF talked about the Sam Slick poster collection, which had been described in previous meetings. LC staff traveled to Mississippi to see the collection, but Slick would not sell any part until the whole was appraised. He eventually sold the Cuba portion to the University of South Florida for about $35,000 after the whole was appraised at $250,000. If Slick does not sell any other parts, he will donate the remainder.
Another LC announcement concerns an agreement with the Biblioteca Nacional, Rio de Janeiro, for the filming of four Brazilian newspapers to be done in Brazil. Starting with 1994 issues, the newspapers are Jornal do Brasil, Jornal do Commercio, Tribuna da Imprensa, and Estado de São Paulo.
With remaining Title VI monies the Connecticut group bought historic Mexican newspapers. Other University of Connecticut news includes hosting a librarian from Chile; hiring a 0.5 time intern from Puerto Rico for six months starting January 15th; acquiring the papers of Henry Hill, who was U.S. consul in Salvador, Bahia, and later went to Rio de Janeiro.
Angela Carreño may take on a more administrative role at NYU.
Princeton has several agents collecting religious serials and other materials from Cuban Protestant and Catholic churches. Covering more than religious topics, articles often emphasize topics of interest to the development and strengthening of civil society. Princeton has also acquired a collection of correspondence of the Cuban poet Eliseo Diego, and the diaries (ca. 1950-1970s) of the Argentine writer Alejandra Pizarnik.
The Library of Congress has purchased the CIDOC (religion) collection and Argentine newspapers from IDC.
Denise Hibay attended the Frankfurt Book Fair and discussed salary and other work issues affecting NYPL staff.
Pittsburgh’s Latin American Reading Room moves forward, though EL now wonders how much use it will get in view of the growth of the Internet. Pittsburgh has closer relations with the Universidad de San Andrés (Buenos Aires), including periodical/article exchanges and librarian exchanges. Pitt bought anarchist publications from Amsterdam and is acquiring U.S. State Dept. materials as they become available. As some other institutions have done, Pitt is moving its technical services off-site, in this case about one mile from the library.
Columbia will have a reading room for Latin America in about three years, though the acquisitions budget is unchanged. It will also have the Center for the Study of Brazil, which is supported by the Brazilian government and businesses and will have an economic and social science focus. There is also a Brazilian Studies chair endowed by the Rio Branco Foundation.
Harvard’s stack renovation is underway, while Technical Services has relocated to another part of Cambridge. Primary Source Media is filming the Cuban pamphlet collection, which has never been cataloged. Dan Hazen has proposed digitizing some, including a “digitize on demand” program. There is also the possibility of filming a Cuban manuscript (Escoto) collection.
New York Public is nearing the end of its microfilming project, with only Bolivian, Paraguayan, and Uruguayan monographs left to film, as well as some serials. There is a proposal, however, to extend the filming project.
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