ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries 105 NEH G rant Proposal The board approved a proposal to seek a grant from the National Endowment of the Humanities to support four workshops to assist academic libraries in developing public programming in the humani­ ties. Sections The board endorsed the policy that ACRL divi­ sion members receive two sections free, and that one of these be a type-of-activity section and the other a type-of-library section. There will be a $2 fee charged for each additional section membership. Standards and Accreditation Committee The board voted to consolidate the responsibility for reviewing and recommending revisions related to the “Standards for College Libraries” with the College Standards Revision Subcommittee during its tenure by abolishing the Ad Hoc Standards Com­ mittee and requesting that the College Libraries Section review the status of its Committee on Col­ lege Standards. The board instructed the Standards and Accred­ itation C o m m ittee to consult w ith th e CLS Committee on College Standards and reconsider the charge of the proposed committee in light of the survey findings just issued by that section’s ad hoc committee. Student Dues Reduction The board endorsed a resolution to rescind the ALA Council motion that the ALA Bylaws be re­ vised to reduce divisional memberships to $5 for students. The principal issue was that the Council should not take action that has divisional fiscal im­ plications without divisional support. C ontinuing E d u cation CE at Case Western Reserve On May 27-29, Case Western Reserve University Libraries will celebrate their 10th Annual Seminar, an educational retreat that has become a tradition at Case. It is always held at the same time of year in a state lodge two hours away from the libraries in Cleveland, Ohio. This year’s seminar will take a look at what the Case Western Reserve University Libraries will be like in the next 10-15 years—how the communica­ tions revolution will affect the library, the econo­ mics of information delivery, the obsolescence of the book, and similar topics. Edward T. O’Neill, dean of the School of Library Science, will coordinate the program. The two and a half day event is planned as a learning experience and as an opportunity for those working in two libraries, physically separate on cam­ pus but belonging to one system, to get to know one another in a setting that encourages friendship and learning away from work. Only professional staff and those among the support staff who have been em­ ployed at Case for at least two years are eligible to attend. James V. Jones, who has been director of the University Libraries for over ten years, was con­ cerned about staff development long before it had the strong focus in librarianship that it does today. Over the years the number of committees and meet­ ings at work have been kept to a minimum, while the summer seminars have provided the opportunity for staff to examine a variety of library trends together. They come away from the retreat better informed, having had the opportunity to participate in deci­ sion-making, and are more knowledgeable about the focus of an academic library. Jones also felt the seminars would create a cohe­ sive “family feeling” among staff. Merging of the two libraries into one system occurred in 1967 as a result of the federation of Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University. At the seminar, bar­ riers among those on different levels are eased, and communication among all is easy and informal. About fifty staff members usually attend the semi­ nars (at no cost to themselves) and representatives from each of the other campus libraries are invited. Staff see it as a privilege, not a duty, and the coop­ erative spirit is extended beyond library walls for smoother university relations. Each annual seminar has a special theme. If there is a Case faculty member whose area of expertise fits the subject matter, one of them is invited to speak. At least one outside speaker is invited to attend and address the group or to lead the educational pro­ gram. Outside speakers feel a comfortable part of the group throughout the seminar and their impres­ sions of the university library system are warm and positive. One year the library staff was exposed to informa­ tion retrieval systems: now an accepted reference tool, at that time they were something very new and the staff received a complete orientation from three major vendors. Another year the topic, “Care and Control of Library Materials: Conservation for Librarians,” made staff aware of the types of papers 106 used in book publishing, th e enemies of library materials, bookbinding materials, and repair and restoration of books. Although the suggestion for a them e usually comes from the director, a com m ittee of six different staff mem bers is appointed each year. R epresenting each segment of the library, the com m ittee works out the plans, chooses a speaker, and plans the details of the program. The sum m er seminar is especially beneficial to new librarians, who becom e acquainted quickly with their colleagues and familiar with their respec­ tive roles in the library. Funding for th e annual event originally came from a grant, but when that grant was no longer available it became a budgeted item for educational training. Continuing education at Case W estern is not lim­ ited to the annual sum m er event. In February an all-day Saturday program is held for all staff who wish to come. The staff are also encouraged to take advantage of higher education by taking courses in any subject on campus—tuition free, with time off arranged. From library director to student shelver, all staff at the library have a fine opportunity for continued learning and a good sense of “belonging. ” The “no one told m e” syndrome is almost non-existent. In the outside world our staff are good ambassadors for th e library, because the exposure they receive to library trends and innovations is strong. Individual areas of daily work cease to be confining and become a challenge.— Sally Brickman. E d ito rs Note: Sally Brickm an is library editor! publicist at the Case W estern Reserve University Libraries, Cleveland, Ohio. Chapter News The Delaware Valley Chapter of ACRL held it fall 1980 m eeting at Rosemont College, Rosemont, Pennsylvania, on O ctober 17. C. James Schmidt, university librarian at Brown University and editor of College & Research L i­ braries, spoke on “Financial Implications for the E ighties.” H e presented his views on cuts in library budgets and how librarians can make the best use of their limited resources. T he Illinois Chapter o f ACRL held its spring 1981 m eeting on April 10 at the Ramada Inn Convention C enter in Champaign. “Users, Libraries, & LCS” was th e them e of th e m eet­ ing. Keynote speakers w ere Susan Miller, Ohio State University, and Glenn Scharfenorth, De- Paul University. The operational ramifications of the LCS circulation system and th e adm inistra­ tive considerations in choosing LCS w ere discus­ sed. C O LLEG E STANDARD SURVE The ACRL College Libraries Section’s ad ho C omm ittee on Standards and Guidelines for th College Library has conducted a survey among col lege library directors to determ ine if ACRL’s 197 Standards f o r College L ibraries (C&R L News O ctober 1975) are used and w hether they are con sidered effective. The results show that th e standards have indee been used by many directors o f college libraries most frequently to upgrade th e collection, to im prove services, to justify im p ro v em en t in th physical plant, and to expand th e staff. The surve also pointed out areas for further refinem ent an changes in the standards, including library effective ness and non-print resources. For an interesting analysis of w hether college li braries actually m eet the standards, see Ray L. C a rp e n te r, “C ollege L ibraries: A C om parativ Analysis in Terms of th e ACRL Standards,” C &R 42 (January 1981):7-18. S Y c e ­ 5 , ­ d , ­ e y d ­ ­ e L W EL C H JOINS ACRL HQ STAFF C. Brigid Welch has been nam ed program officer for bibliographic instruction and continuing educa­ tion programs at ACRL headquarters in Chicago, effective April 1. Welch leaves her position as so­ cial sciences ed ito r for Choice, ACRL’s book re ­ view journal for college lib ra rie s p u b lis h e d in M iddletown, C onnecti­ cut. Welch has held posi­ tions w ith th e U n d e r­ graduate Library of the U n iv ersity of Texas at Austin and the Phoenix Public Library. A grad­ u a te o f A rizona S ta te C . Brigid Welch University, she holds an MLS from the University of Texas at Austin. She brings to her new position varied experience in undergraduate library work, reference services, col­ lection developm ent, and professional publishing. At ACRL Welch will be responsible for planning and im plem enting a continuing education program for ACRL members; providing information relative to academic librarianship to organizations and indi­ viduals concerned with higher education; and d e ­ veloping channels of communication with, and pro­ viding programming for, professional and higher education associations.