MIINUTES GPLNE MEETING FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2006

BROWN UNIVERSITY

 

Present:

 

John Fobert, Roger Williams University

Deborah Angelo, Providence College

Julia R. Tryon, Providence College

Naomi Allen, State Library of Massachusetts

Leonard Adams, UMASS Amherst

Jim Walsh, Readex/Newsbank

Tom Stieve, Brown University

Ralph Szymczak, Brandeis

Beverly Presley, Clark Unversity

Bobbie Brooke, UMASS Worcester

Bette L. Siegel, State Library of Massachusetts

Colleen Hanna, Rhode Island State Library

Donna Koepp, Harvard University

Jim Mac Donald, Connecticut College

Deborah Mongeau, University of Rhode Island

 

Chair, John Fobert, welcomed everyone and introduced our speaker, Tom Stieve of Brown who is the Social Science Data Librarian in the Scholarly Resources Department of Brown.  We ‘moved” to a lab setting and Tom gave a hands-on presentation of Government Data AND GIS; using software of ArcGIS 9.1 ESRI (http://www.esri.com).

Tom was very patient with the participants and gave us all a handout to use after the session. 

One of the major points he made was that data pre 1970 is not online; that shape files are not below the county level and one should look at data from ICPSR (study #2896) if earlier information is needed.

 

BUSINESS MEETING

 

The secretary’s report was distributed on line.

The treasurer reported that the CD was cashed and there is $1357.17 (as of 1/31/06) in the checking account.  There was discussion of how to spend this money.  It was suggested 2 delegates receive stipends to attend the Spring DLC but since Donna Koepp was going it was felt this was unnecessary. It was suggested lunch at Chester VT in May be paid for by this money; it was suggested money be used for a trainer if we had to pay for one; or money be used for Fall Council.  John will look into the expense of lunch in VT.

 

 

We were reminded that the EPA libraries are closing; it was suggested John send a letter from GPLNE to EPA about this.  Individual letters are encouraged.

 

Bobbie Brooke reviewed the Consultant Process at UMASS Worcester and said she would contact GPO for an update.

 

There was a discussion of the need for a Nominating Committee for the May meeting.  This is not necessary since Bobbi Brooke volunteered to be the Vice Chair/Chair Elect.  All other officers are in place….Donna Koepp will be chair; Bobbie Vice-Chair; Bette L. Siegel, Secretary; and Julia R. Tryon is the Treasurer.

 

TALKING POINTS FOR DIRECTORS

 

Debbie Mongeau reviewed the hand out for reasons to stay in the FDLP.  There was discussion and suggestions; one being the “rule” to return all one’s federal documents if one leaves the program.  A Dartmouth report (Jim Walsh will get it for us) was mentioned as a reason to remain in the FDLP.

 

The RI librarians told of the use of a URL checker for records in III.  We think they are the 1st group to use this with GPO.  The RI members believe that once a bad URL for a depository item is found, GPO should be notified.  The group is interested in knowing if others are checking links and what they do as follow up.  We will get more information at the next meeting.

 

IT IS IMPORTANT TO LET JOHN FOBERT KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE ATTENDING THE MEETING IN CHESTER VT, May 19th.

 

Bette L. Siegel

Secretary