COSELL BUSINESS MEETING
Fort Lauderdale, FL
April 11, 2002

I. Call to order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Mark Bernstein at 5:20 pm
Present were 28 people representing 24 law schools.

II. Minutes

The minutes of the April 19, 2001 Business meeting were approved, as posted on the COSELL Web site.

III. Treasurer's Report - Bill Beintema

The balance on April 19, 2001 was $3,973.25. Dues provided income of $800.00; expenses (2001 and 2002 SEAALL program and newsletter support; 2002 Florida Corporate filing; post office rental; 2002 AALL meeting room charge) totaled $1,392.25. As of April 10, 2002 there is $3,381.00 in the Treasury.

IV. Membership Report - Bill Beintema

There are 47 members, as of April 10, of whom 40 had paid dues for 2002.

V. Nominations and Election report - Jack Bissett

Jack acknowledged the work of Nomination Committee members Deborah Jeffries, Hope Breeze and Rhea Ballard-Thrower, and the excellent slate: Karen B. Douglas for Secretary and Pamela Deemer for Member-at-Large. Forty-eight ballots were mailed on February 20, 2002, and twenty were returned by the April 1 deadline. The election was not contested, and there were no write-ins or petitions, so both nominees were elected.

VI. Introduction of Board - Mark Bernstein

The current Board comprises: Mark Bernstein, Chair; Anne Klinefelter, Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect; Pauline Aranas, Past-Chair; Bill Beintema, Treasurer; Kris Gilliland (2001-2003),
Pamela Melton (2000-2002), and Sally Wise (2001-2003), Members-at-Large; Jack Bissett, Secretary.

Pamela Melton and Jack Bissett are leaving the Board. Entering new positions are Karen Douglas, Secretary, and Pamela Deemer, Member-at-Large (2002-2004). Kris Gilliland and Sally Wise continue as Members-at-Large (2001-2003).

VII. Old Business

There was no old business.

VIII. New Business

A. Yankee Book Peddler
Mark reminded the members that the Yankee Book Peddler agreement runs for another year, through June, 2003. Over the coming year it will be reviewed.

B. Roundtables
The coordinators of the four Roundtable presented summaries of their discussions, and highlighted topics for possible development into programs. The Roundtables and their coordinators were: Linda Tesar for Technical Services; Robert Marshall for Teaching Legal Research; John Perkins, standing in for Roy Balleste, for Web Development; and Ann Puckett for Collection Development. Their reports will be added to the COSELL web site.

C. Archiving of State Primary Sources
North Carolina law libraries are working on plans to preserve original paper primary legal sources. Mark requested that members work together in their states to determine who may be preserving such material, and to organize coordinated programs. The COSELL Board will initiate the process by having board members send letters to all the directors so that there is a coordinated effort in COSELL that will lead to mounting this information on the web site.

D. BNA Consortia Agreement
Mark reported on a telephone conversation with NELLCO's Executive Director, the gist of which is that NELLCO members are holding off signing contracts for BNA's new web-based service, pending discussions with BNA about the pricing of the package. NELLCO had invited COSELL to participate in their task force, communicating with BNA. Mark requested members' comments on the possibility of COSELL acting in concert with NELLCO.

The following comments were noted:
"Some members are already negotiating with BNA, so it would be difficult for us to hold off at this point."
Question: "Why are NELLCO libraries objecting at this point?" Mark responded that the pricing appears more aimed at private firm libraries than academic ones.
"Is the separation of the products from access through Lexis and Westlaw cause for concern?"

Bill Beintema remarked that the Board plans to poll member directors to see if they are signing yet. Mark indicted that he will try to determine if there is sufficient interest among member libraries in participating in NELLCO's task force. He requested a motion to authorize Vice-Chair Anne Klinefelter to join the task force, at its May meeting. Jim Heller so moved, there was a second, and the motion carried.

E. Survey of Member Directors

Anne Klinefelter briefly reviewed the survey responses from member directors. Most cite Vendor agreements/ consortium pricing/ licensing arrangements, ILL benefits, and the roundtables at SEAALL as primary benefits of membership. Collaborative licensing of new electronic products was mentioned most often as a desired additional benefit. Several innovative suggestions were made, as well, and the Chair and Vice-Chair will continue to review them.

IX. Announcements

Grace Mills introduced herself. She is director of the new law school at Florida A. and M. University.

X. Adjournment

Chair Mark Bernstein adjourned the meeting at approximately 5:55 pm.

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