Suggestions were
made to rearrange the screen as follows:
- Write out VIVA and briefly identify.
- Have the link buttons run vertically rather than
horizontally with the name of the institution fully
identified.
- Include the LVA, Colonial manuscripts project, and
related information in a separate section properly
identified.
- Committee materials and information placed at the end of
the page. Betsy will get the older minutes to Gail.
- Adjustment of the background to make the text easier to
read.
Suggestions were also made for additional links and text. In
addition, it was decided that all materials mounted under this
initiative would include information on the last update and the URL
of the document so the information would print out when downloaded.
Those individuals who have not provided samples of their logo are
reminded to get this information to Gail ASAP.
(Revisions now an option from the current page for review.)
The information requests for the Directory of Repositories
have been sent out and the LVA has received about 75 responses to
date. Approximately 500 institutions were identifed. The
Directory is expected to be available electronically in
Winter/Spring 1996 with regular updates as the necessary editing is
completed.
Gail has been accepted to attend the January (13-18)
Digitization workshop at Cornell. She will provide a report to the
committee and Steering Committee upon her return. The feasibility
of having a similar workshop in Virginia was discussed.
Ned advised the committee of problems encountered in
transfering files for storage. Although the actual transfer is
usually accomplished at night it is a lengthy process and the
supervision and verification of the transfer adds several steps.
The typical file is 3Mb.
Nancy asked if any of the committee members would be attending
VLA in Roanoke who could represent the committee. Actual
representation would depend upon the time of the meeting on
Thursday (11/9/95). [Gail McMillan represented SCC.]
The budget proposal for 1996-1998 biennium has been fianlized.
$100,000 per year has been earmarked for Special Collections
projects. VIVA institutions will have to apply for the money to
cover each project. Steering Committee will review the proposals
for funds which can cover staff, hardware or software. Nancy
suggested the committee develop proposals to have ready when the
money is available. Projects that are not institution specific and
could include other public institutions of higher education are
encouraged. The committee discussed the feasibility of projects
that follow a chronological or regional approach as well as
materials that would support the 400th anniversary in 2007. The
problems of copyright and access were discussed. It was suggested
that now may be a good time to send out the "Dear Colleague" letter
drafted last spring. The letter will be sent to high school,
community college, college and university history professors in the
Commonwealth and will request assistance in evaluating materials to
be made available electronically. (What would the teachers like to
see, in what form, what can the schools access, what supports the
curricula?) Draft of the letter is attached for the committee's
review and comment.
Project proposals and comments on the letter will be discussed at
the Janaury 11th meeting.
Several projects were suggested for the remainder of this
fiscal year (reformatting of guides, coverting gopher to html,
contracting out microfilming and scanning). Nancy will discuss
these projects with Steering Committee and determine if funds are
available.