IAWA Executive Board of Advisors: May 3, 1999

IAWA

CAUS

IAWA Executive Board of Advisors

Meeting: May 3, 1999
4:30 p.m. Cowgill Hall, Architecture Conference Room, Virginia Tech

Present:

Donna Dunay, Anna Marshall-Baker, Marcia Feuerstein, Gail McMillan

Invited guests: Milka T. Bliznakov, Eileen Hitchingham

Absent:

Mitzi Vernon, Jeannette Bowker

Call to Order:

Marcia Feuerstein, standing in for Donna Dunay, Chair, called meeting to order at 4:30.

Agenda Items:

The agenda was approved as follows: Old Business — Review of April Minutes, Plans for Special Collections (Manuscripts Curator Replacement), Newsletter, Milka Prize, New Business - Summer Meeting, Nominations.

Old Business:

Ms Feuerstein provided copies of the first unedited draft of the newsletter. Ms McMillan provided statistics on new donations of work. Cash contributions and Chair’s message still necessary. Final draft should be available for summer meeting, depending upon Dean’s office support.

Dean Hitchingham, invited guest, spoke about the future plans of Special Collections in regard to the search and replacement for an appropriate Manuscripts Curator. Dean Hitchingham pledged to continue to support the specific growing needs of the IAWA. The new position will focus on the three main components of Special Collections: IAWA, Civil War Collection, and Norfolk and Western Rail Road collection. She added that the library would increase their support of IAWA, noting its substantial role in Special Collections, as well as a major emphasis on maintaining and expanding the collection of the IAWA. At this point, additional resources are being provided from other units of the library faculty to take over some of the tasks, adding 30 hours to special collections and scholarly. She expected to have an advertisement ready for July, 99 and advertise nationally. The search committee will include a member of the IAWA executive board and the advertisement will be shared with the IAWA. Required credentials for the position includes a degree in library science as well as expertise in manuscripts. Job listings can include ACSA, AIA, and SAH as well as typical sources. Ms Bliznakov added that a language requirement be added. Jan Carlton is temporarily taking care of Special Collections until a suitable replacement is found. Until then, all donations should be sent to Gail. Ms Bliznakov brought up the need for a position dedicated to the IAWA and the possibility that Dean Knox and Dean Hitchingham each provide support for the position (splitting it between them.) Dean Hitchingham answered that this funding is a possibility later in the summer (from state legislature for new half-time position) if Paul Knox will support this. Ms Bliznakov added that the growth of the IAWA and Special collection should justify more positions. The Committee discussed the need for advancing other technologies such as additional digitizing archival material as well as inventories, to make them available on the Web. There is also a need to support travel (to collections,) as well as shipping and cataloging. This support could come from a variety of sources. Ms McMillan discussed the possibilities of short-term work provided by summer interns. Ms Feuerstein observed the need for design of appropriate spaces, furnishings to protect and use materials. Ms Bliznakov expressed concern for the quality of work, having discovered many misspellings and inaccuracies in the inventories, as well as new donations, which have not yet been catalogued.

Ms Marshall-Baker reviewed the final corrections and wording changes. Ms. Feuerstein will coordinate the publicity with Ms Boughton.

April Minutes approved and accepted moved by Ms Marshall-Baker, seconded by Ms Dunay.

New Business:

Ms. Dunay suggested that the summer meeting occur mid-July. At that time plans for advisory meeting and nominations for next year’s committee will be considered. Ms Dunay will identify those members who wish to stand for re-election and position openings.

At 5:50 Ms Feuerstein moved to close the meeting, Ms Marshall-Baker seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 PM.

Respectfully Submitted by Marcia Feuerstein, Secretary, July 19 1999.