VIVA Special Collections Committee
Minutes

Present: Joyce Ogburn, Kay Domine, Nancy Marshall and Betsy Pittman.

1. Betsy requested updates on funding verification and expenditure for FY 96-97 from those present. ODU, W&M, and VCU have confirmed the $20,000 allocation from SCHEV and established expenditure plans. As expected the breakdown between equipment and staff allocations varies between institutions.

2. The calendar for the remainder of the year was drafted. It was determined that we have reached the point that electronic updates may be sufficient to maintain progress. Actual gatherings of the committee members will take place in January, May and July, and as a situation warrants. E-mail updates will be due to Betsy for compilation into minutes for those times we do not actually get together.

   November (e-mail updates to Betsy by 11/15)
   January 13 (possibly in Richmond)
   March (e-mail updates to betsy by 3/14)
   May 5
   July 7
   September 8

3. Betsy will contact John Kneebone about possibly meeting at new State Library in 1997 (he's checking into it), materials to be provided for Social Studies exhibit in October (Dear Colleague letter copied and provided as a flyer) and location of VIVA link from the LVA homepage (Elizabeth informs me it's from the VLIN page).

4. Nancy was requested to find out from the Steering Committee their general expectation of the SCC. What is their understanding of where this portion of VIVA should be going and what type of projects should we be considering? With the development of a full publicity committee it was also requested that Nancy determine how the SCC can help promote the unique qualities of the materials being made accessible.

5. The letters to public school social studies contacts have gone out (135 pieces) and Betsy is awaiting another mailing list from the National Council for Social Studies (102 pieces sent 10/10). College and University History Department chair letters will be sent next.

6. Kay will be drafting the general structure of the subject/topic oriented pages to be added to the Special Collections homepage as we further develop our full text materials.

7. While discussing future full text, collaborative projects it was determined that although a worthwhile project, the committee is still not able to begin planning a state-wide portraiture project. Kay suggested an on-line exhibit of Virginia history. This would be a project to which all institutions could contribute and would work to increase awareness of the upcoming 400th anniversary of VA. The focus of our January meeting will be further development of this proposal.