COSELL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

Minutes

Philadelphia, PA

July 18, 2000

I. Called to order at 12:27 p.m.

Present: Pauline Aranas, Chair; Rosalie Sanderson, Past-Chair; Mary Lou Corbett, Vice-Chair; Bill Beintema, Treasurer; Mark Bernstein, Member-at-Large; Jack Bissett, Secretary.  Absent: Rebecca Trammell, Pamela Melton, Members-at-Large.

II.Announcements.

There were no announcements.

III.Minutes.

Approved.

IV.Treasurer’s Report: Bill Beintema

As of July 6, 2000 there is $3,141.14 in the Treasury.  The balance a year ago was $2693.39.  Expenses incurred since include an AALL meeting room charge of $100.00; Florida Corporation filing fee, $61.25; Post Office box rental, $31.00; and a  donation to SEAALL for the Puerto Rico Meeting, $500.00.

Pauline commented that the treasury stays relatively small by design.  Rather than amass a large bank account, COSELL uses it’s funds to support SEAALL and projects consistent with its mission.

V.Membership Report: Bill Beintema

There are 39 paid members as of July 6.  George Washington University Law Library is a new member.  A list will be distributed.

In discussion following the report, Pauline suggested giving one Board member the responsibility to contact new Directors to introduce COSELL to them.  It was agreed that the Secretary should prepare and send a letter and the brochure.

VI.New Board members: Pauline Aranas

Pauline introduced Jack and explained that Pamela could not be present.

VII.Old and Continuing Business

A. SEAALL/SWALL Meeting: Pauline Aranas

Membership seem to continue to want programming of some kind from COSELL, as well as the continuation of discussion Roundtables.  COSELL will work closely with SEAALL; COSELL don’t want to push too hard but SEAALL seems to welcome our input.  A COSELL Board member-at-Large, Rebecca Trammell, is on the SEAALL Program Committee.  The theme of the annual meeting in 2001 will be 2001: East Meets West: Librarians’ Oddyssey.  Registration will be $150; there will be a pre-conference geared to firm librarians, at $60; 15 programs , three in each of five time slots, will be offered.

Several further points were made regarding the combined meeting: COSELL’s proposed program is be Web Technology and Technical Services: How to Handle Cataloging and Access Issues for Web Services Including E-journals. 

The timing of roundtables and the COSELL Board meeting remains to be worked out.  Roundtables will be as before - topical (teaching legal research, collection development, web development); or functional (technical services).  It is hoped that conflicts between cross-over interests can be avoided.

B. COSELL Website: Mark Bernstein

Mark has found that few members have written collection policies, so the question of getting them onto the web is moot for now.  Pauline remarked that the ABA is expecting written polices so that will be changing.

Mark reported that updates have been made to the Board of Directors page, and member institutions and links to their web sites.  A link for state law bibliographies was set up, along with bibliographies for North Carolina, South Carolina and Puerto Rico.  Appalachian School of Law Library has been added, and a Webmasters’ discussion forum was added. 

At the March Board meeting Pauline had suggested adding an historical listing of Past COSELL chairs.  The information has not been found yet.  Rosalie and Bill said they have some records that may help.  Others were to check their local files and resources.  Bill offered the use of UT as an archives depository. 

The final comment was that the web site should be used to make more information on COSELL’s benefits and activities available.

C. Strategic Plan Review: Mary Lou Corbett

The Committee, Mary Lou, Rebecca Trammell and Pamela Melton, have taken a preliminary look to see what needs further review.  Their charge was to see if it is still relevant in the electronic environment.  They will also explore the possibility, within the Strategic Plan, for a grant program that would link the member libraries more closely.

Mary Lou commented that in the matter of COSELL’s clearinghouse function, the physical holding has been made less necessary by the web.  The Board members were asked to look at the Strategic Plan and offer input to the Committee.  Should there be a standing committee or some kind of regular review of the Plan?  Is COSELL meeting its objectives?  What kinds of sharing are wanted or needed?  The Board needs to review the Mission and objectives and consider how the strategies fit with them.

VIII.     New Business

A. Roundtables 2000 review: Pauline

Suggestions from the March roundtables will form the bases for proposals for SEAALL programs.  Mark reported that a program was held following the SEAALL meeting in Puerto Rico on Legal Research in the Real World.  It was well-received and there will be a similar roundtable topic at SEAALL/SWALL.  Rosalie urged flexibility in program proposing; not just advanced legal research but other topics as well for broader appeal; those not used at SEAALL could be used at AALL or locally; they also fit the interests of AALL’s ALL-SIS.  Pauline reiterated that members want forums and programs in addition to consortial discounts. 

B. Bylaws: Pauline

After the recent change in the Vice-Chair’s office, Pauline asked if the Board should consider changing the terms of the Vice-Chair, and/or Past-Chair, pointing out that the long commitment may be difficult for some, and the fact that Mary Lou will not be able to assume the Chair next year.  Rosalie will look at the bylaws to see what, if anything, might be done to ease this particular situation.

C. Next meeting

There will probably be a conference call in December; our meeting at AALL next Summer will probably be at the same time as this year.

D. Other new business

Bill, on the subject of site licenses for consortium contracts, reminded the Board that COSELL has a five-year renewal cycle with Yankee, said every member was sent a copy of the Yankee contract.  CIS has no written contract with COSELL.

Pauline raised the question of re-instituting the grant program?  For what projects, to do what?  An example mentioned was an intern in a member library.

Mary Lou commented that such a program could probably fit in under some existing strategic plan objective.

IX        The meeting was adjourned at approximately 1:38 p.m.

web version edited Friday 28-Apr-2006 9:44