DOMA-14 Meeting
Document and Map Librarians of the State System of Higher Education
October 22-23, 1992
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
Attending:
Claire Andrews--Kutztown University
Geraldine Benson--Millersville Unibersity
Mary Anne Burns Duffy--West Chester University
Judith Feller--East Stroudsburg University
Karen Humbert--Cheyney University
Roger Horn--Clarion University
Theresa McDevitt--Indiana Unibersity of PA
Eugene Neff--Slippery Rock University
Judith Olson--Bloomsburg University
Shui-Hsien Pien--Mansfield University
Katherine Warkentin--Shippensburg University
Minutes:
Following a delicious lunch graciously provided by the Francis Harvey Green Library, the two-day meeting formally convened at 1 pm on Thursday, October 22, 1992 in the Library of West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania. Mary Anne Burns Duffy, the 1992 DOMA Chair, began the meeting by outlining the agenda for the two day program. The first part of the afternoon program consisted of demonstrations of two government CD-ROM products. The demonstrations were held in the computer seminar room where it was possible to display the computer monitor image to a large screen. This facilitated discussion and sharing of information on these vital resources.
The first CD demonstrated was the National Trade Data Bank (NTDB). Katherine Warkentin provided an excellent presentation on the source, which is heavily used in all DOMA depository libraries. Kathy also distributed a handout used in the Ezra Lehman Memorial Library to facilitate use of this product, which has been published monthly since October 1990. Kathy also provided us with a bonus demonstration on the Regional Economic Information System (REIS) which covers income and employment data for the United States, as well as states, counties, and metropolitan areas. Data covers the 1969-89 time period.
The National Economic, Social and Environmental Data Bank (NESE) was ably demonstrated by Geraldine Benson, who made the pertinent observation that we need to educate our librarian colleagues, as well as faculty and students on the importance of these CD's. Gerri suggested concentrating on one particular aspect of information o the CD to attract attention to the resource. In discussing usage of NESE/DB, which is an experimental product, many DOMA members expressed problems they were having in loading the disc, printing data, etc. While there is no answer to these, it is hoped that the "final product" will alleviate these bugs. Gerri also provided a bonus resource, in this case, USA Counties, which promises to be a great tool for all sorts of county information. According to messages on the Listserve, govdoc-l, there have been problems in getting the software on this program to load.
Following a brief creak, American Memory was demonstrated by Mary Anne Burns Duffy. This prototype is a multi-media resource of selected Library of Congress collections. West Chester University Library is one of thirty-seven test sites for this marvelous resource and the only site in Pennsylvania.
At the conclusion of the American Memory presentation, DOMA ended its meeting for the afternoon.
DOMA reconvened at 7 pm at the Restaurant (a local dining spot) for a wonderful dinner, hosted by Jeff Strandberg of Congressional Information Service, Inc. Rebecca Knight, the Government Documents Librarian of the University of Delaware, joined the group and much discussion and sharing took place regarding government CD's and OPAC's. Rebecca shared with us Delaware's classification of document CD's into four groups: 1) reference 2) full-text 3) circulating and 4) "not in my backyard". The latter classification category was greatly enjoyed by DOMA members.
On Friday, October 23, the group begain its deliberations at 9 am with the DOMA Business meeting. Judith Feller recorded minutes. (see attachment)
Following the Business meeting, Judith Feller covered some of the 1990 Census of Population CD's, including the newest Summary Tape File (STF) 3A. Judy's handouts, including the Menu Works screens, were quite helpful.
Gene Neff, our concluding presenter, provided us with an excellent overview of the latest edition of the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). This should be a particularly useful resource, as Gene showed us how we can ascertain actual company names in our particular locales.
And so ended another DOMA meeting, with much accomplished and much still to do. As a postscript, congratulations and best wishes to Theresa McDevitt, who became engaged on the weekend following the DOMA meeting to Paul Griggs, Data Communicatiosn Manager at IUP.
Business Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Mary Anne Burns Duffy, Chairperson.
Inspections
During the past year, three depositories in the SSHE were inspected - Indiana U.P., Slippery Rock, and California. Theresa McDevitt reported that the inspector was very helpful and supportive, and cited the urgent need for clerical help in her report.
Eugene Neff said that the major criticisms of his depository collection were: 1, the backlog of microfiche (checked in, but not shelved); 2, lack of a shelf list, because their PC-based check-in system had to be discontinued. He said that it had actually taken longer to process (check-in) by computer than by hand, and that the disk eventually became so full that it could take 1/2 hour to search for an item!
Everyone whose library had been inspected in this, and past years, commented on how grateful they were that John Geschwindt had also visited when the inspectors did.
DOMA Directory
RESOLVED: It was unanimously resolved to commend Katherine Warkentin for the great service she has done by up-dating and publishing the DOMA Directory, and for her most recent publication of the DOMA Item List.
Changes to the Directory should be sent to Kathy by Jan. 1, 1993. Suggestions for additional information to be included:
Theresa McDevitt asked for information on staffing, % of items selected, hours of student help, OPAC access to docs, and Monthly Catalog holdings. Theresa will develope a survey and send it to DOMA members.
Item List
Send Kathy a list of adds and drops made in the past year by January 1, 1993. It was suggested that we simply photocopy the "Amendments to Item Selections" and send that to her. It may be possible, at some point, to compare the DOMA Item List to the GPO List to see what is not selected and perhaps facilitate some cooperative item selection. [Note: GPO Depository Union List of Item Selections is available on magnetic tape - $250]
Archives
DOMA will be ten years old next year, and Mary Anne called for donations of materials for a DOMA archive. Kathy Warkentin volunteered to house the archives at Shippensburg.
PLA GODORT
Claire Andrews is in charge of the program at the Annual Conference. Two librarians from Bucknell will conduct a program on using GPO CD-ROMs - how to get CDs up and running and how to publicize the materials. Unfortunately, travel funds are very limited, and not many DOMA members will be attending PLA.
SSHELCO funds
The SSHE library directors must divest themselves of a fund created through the collection of a membership fee (which they are no longer permitted assess). They would like some ideas on how the money could be spent, and DOMA should try to get some of it a worthwhile project. Some suggestions were: an INTERNET training session - one-day workshop for DOMA; workshop on electronic bulletin boards available from the federal government; CIS CD-ROM subscriptions for SSHE libraries, at a consortium rate. Theresa McDevitt will include a place for input on this topic in her survey.
New DOMA Chairperson
Eugene Neff, Slippery Rock Univ., will be DOMA chair for the next year. It was agreed last year that the new chairs will operate on a calendar year basis, which will give the previous chairperson time plan and complete a DOMA meeting.
Circulation of GPO CDs
Mary Anne reminded DOMA members of the chain that was created for passing along superseded CDs:
Sabbatical
DOMA wishes Geraldine Benson all the best on her Spring 1993 sabbatical. During her leave, she will focus on international publications.
DOMA members attending:
Mary Anne Burns Duffy, West Chester - Chair
Karen Humbert, Cheney
Janet Olsen, Bloomsburg
Theresa McDevitt, IUP
Katherine Warkentin, Shippensburg
Geraldine Benson, Millersville
Claire Andrews, Kutztown
Roger Horn, Clarion
Shui-Hsien Pien, Mansfield
Eugene Neff, Slipper Rock
Judy Feller, East Stroudsburg
Judith Feller, Recorder