Minutes of the GPLNE Meeting

Colby College May 14, 2004

 

Jim Fleming, Colby College professor spoke to us about his research on the history of weather that he did in the U.S. Serial Set.  The following is a narrative by Jim Walsh of the presentation.

It is always refreshing to hear a non-librarian talk about how they use the U.S. Congressional Serial. As government documents librarians (or those who fall into the formally government documents librarians), we all know how valuable this set is - whether it is owned as paper or micro. However, when a non-librarian talks about the Serial Set, there is the opportunity to learn a little bit more about its content, use, and value. That certainly was the case at the May 14th GPLNE meeting.

The spring meeting was held at Colby College and hosted by Peggy Menchen and Chuck Lakin. the meeting was held in Miller Library followed by a wonderful lunch. A special thanks to Peggy, Chuck and the library for a wonderful end of the year meeting. Back to the Serial Set.

We were fortunate to have Jim Fleming, a professor of Science, Technology, and Society at Colby College ( jfleming@colby.edu <mailto:jfleming@colby.edu> ) talk to the group. Prof. Fleming is a historian of science and technology and his area of specialization is historical meteorology. His research looks at meteorology in America from 1800-1870 and a variety of federal agencies that were the predecessors to the National Weather Service.

He began his presentation discussing James Espy ("The Storm King"). Espy was the first meteorologist in the federal service. His reports can be found in the following Serial Set volumes: 2nd report - 559; 3rd report - 560; 4th report - 889 (which, if my notes are correct, was for 1857).

His talk focused on Albert James Myer and the U.S. Signal Corps. Gen. Myer invented the "wig-wag" flag signaling system that was used by the Union Army during the Civil War. This soon became obsolete with the invention of the telegraph. However, the telegraph was used to report weather conditions from "remote" parts of the U.S. back to Washington, DC. Gen. Myer became the first head of the National Weather Service (1870-1880) after falling out of favor with those in power in DC. In addition to being used to to send weather reports, the telegraph lines were "strategically" located in the southwest and northwest to "keep an eye on" various Indian tribes. This practice was used considerably in 1876 during the Indian uprisings and also in 1877 during the railroad strikes. There was a "method to the madness" of the Signal Corps.

A major portion of Prof. Fleming's research, facts, and anecdotes is taken from the reports and documents of the U.S. Congressional Serial Set. He knows what we know - the Serial Set has something for everyone.

I know that I have not done justice to Prof. Fleming's presentation, which I found to be interesting, entertaining and educational (once again I learned something new about the Serial Set). He distributed a copy of an article that focuses on Gen. Myer, the Signal Corps and Weather Service and the Indian uprisings and 1877 railroad strike. You can get the complete and accurate story by reading:

Fleming, James Rodger. "Storms, Strikes, and Surveillance: The U.S. Signal Office, 1861-1891. 30 Historical Studies in the Physical Sciences (Issue # 2, 2000): 315-332.

Jim Walsh

 

 

Chuck Lakin gave a demonstration about the preservation of the serial set, which is leather-bound and often falls apart.  He repaired a few volumes with detailed instructions about materials and methods while those present watched enviously at his technique.  The main advantage of doing in-house repairs is that they are ready to be returned to the shelves in about an hour, as compared to months required in sending them to a bindery.

 

Business meeting:

 

Gail Fithian talked about the proposal that the task force (name of the group?) put together to get a GPO field consultant to stay for at least two years in New England.  She has not heard anything, and so assumes our proposal has not been looked at yet.  This should be on the agenda for discussion in October.

 

The mission statement draft, drawn up by Lenny Adams, Betty Febo and Pam Hays will also be discussed later, when they are present to provide input (both Lenny and Betty were unable to attend the meeting).

 

The nominating committee (Linda Johnson, Debbie Montgeau, Connie

Rik) announced that John Fobert at Roger Williams will be the new vice-chair, Steve Batt at UConn will be secretary, and Donna Koepp will be the new treasurer.  The slate of officers passed unanimously.

 

As for money matters:  We have $297.68 in the savings account for current expenses.  We also have a CD ($1,000) which will come due in June; this is money granted by CIS for use in covering costs related to conferences, speakers, etc.  It will be placed in a second savings account and we will transfer $140.00 from this into the current expenses account, where money is dwindling and where we took the $140 from to cover the October conference costs for food at which Judith Russell was the speaker.

 

Following the meeting, a wonderful lunch was provided by our host.  This luncheon also provided a venue for information sharing.

 

Pam Hayes

Acting Secretary