The final GPLNE meeting of 1998/1999 on Census 2000 was held in
cooperation with the ACRL/New England Chapter, Social Science
Librarians and the Boston Library Consortium, Government Documents
Interest Group (BLC/GoDIG).
Mary Courtney welcomed attendees and introduced our speakers Cesar Monzon and Joan Wang, both from the Bureau of the Census, Boston Regional Office. Cesar focused on an overview of Census 2000. His informative talk emphasized partnerships, greater simplicity, intelligent use of technology, increased staffing, data collection, address building, accuracy and data coverage improvement. Joan Wang focused on data products, particularly a description and demonstration of American Factfinder. Joan noted that the Census Bureau is concerned about data availability and confidentiality, accessibility as well as efficient delivery with an emphasis on Internet technology.
Joan said that the printed volumes of the Census will be dramatically
reduced for Census 2000,
perhaps just one series with a national volume and then one volume
per state. American Factfinder, a successor to DADS, will be the
primary dissemination mechanism for Census 2000. It has three tiers
of data which target users based on their sophistication. It became
available in March
1999 and is still in its prototype phase. Tiers I and II will
both include sample and 100 per cent data. Tier III will include
the 5 per cent PUMS data with user defined tables. The first data
to be made available will be the P.L. 94-171 redistricting data, which
will be a part of Tier II. Eventually the product will include thematic
maps and easy-to-use custom tabulation. You can access the prototype
American Factfinder at www.census.gov. Once connected just click on the
letter "A" to find the product. There is a section at the site which
welcomes feedback, which is highly encouraged.
Joan's presentation included a break where a delicious buffet lunch was sponsored by GPLNE and GoDIG. Questions from attendees were answered by Cesar and Joan. Strong concerns were expressed about the future availability of historical data on an uncertain medium such as the Web.
Chair Lenny Adams called the business meeting to order at 2:00 PM. The minutes for the last meeting were approved.
Pam Hays gave the treasurer's report:
Checking $1,291.97
Savings 988.37
The officers for 1999/2000 were announced.
Steve Batt, Chair
Ralph Szymczak, Vice Chair/Chair Elect
Sonia Ensins, Secretary
Pam Hays, Treasurer.
Bette Siegel received warm congratulations once again for her
GODORT Bernadine Abbott Hoduski Founders Award.
See GPLNE minutes for 3/5/99 (http://gamma.rwu.edu/users/jpf/gpm3599.htm)
for details.
Al Palko announced that an anonymous donor has given money for a state documents conference. Send an email to Al at apalko@cslib.org for more information.
Lenny announced that next year's April 10-13 Depository Library Conference will be held in Newport, RI at the Double Tree and that perhaps GPLNE may want to sponsor an event, perhaps a reception. Debby Mongeau said that she has heard that the Naval War College and Salve Regina University are involved in the conference. A committee consisting of Steve Batt, Ralph Szymczak, Debby Mongeau and Bette Siegel will investigate this matter.
Steve Batt, incoming chair, thanked Lenny for the many fine programs he has planned during his tenure as chair. Steve commented that he welcomes any suggestions for the coming year.
The business meeting adjourned
at 2:30.
Attendance
Ralph Szymczak
Brandeis University
Len Adams
UMass, Amherst
Maggie Bartley
Wellesley College
Betty Febo
Wellesley College
Jacqueline Fitzpatrick
Wellesley College
Clair Loranz
Wellesley College
Joan Wang
Census Bureau
Cesar Monzon
Census Bureau
Steven Batt
University of Connecticut
Beverly Presley
Clark University
Miriam Johnson
St. Anselm College
Al Palko
Connecticut State Library
Mary Courtney
Elms College
Jim MacDonald
Connecticut College
Erhard Konerding
Wesleyan University
Stephen Kwasnik
Teikyo Post University
Scott Schaffer
University of Vermont
Firuzeh Khorasanizadeh
MISER
Sonia Ensins
Boston College
Linda B. MacIver
Boston Public Library
Bette L. Siegel
State Library of Massachusetts
Deborah Mongeau
University of Rhode Island
Susan Warthman
State Library, Rhode Island
Nancy F. Johnson
Western New England College Law Library
Kate Flynn
Hampden Law Library
William Stetson
Hampden Law Library
Sr. Mary Gallagher
Elms College
Ed Lonergan
Springfield City Library
Vida Margaitis
Harvard Univeristy
Pam Hays
Harvard University
Maria Olson
Providence College
Deborah Angelo
Providence College
Julia R. Tryon
Providence College
Julie Linden
UMass, Amherst
Bill Thompson
UMass, Amherst