Columbus, Ohio
November 14, 1997
The meeting was convened by Dan Britz as Chair,
with Jill Young Coelho as Secretary.
Member institutions and representatives present: BOSTON
UNIVERSITY(Gretchen Walsh, David Westley), CENTER FOR RESEARCH
LIBRARIES (Marlys Rudeen), COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (Joseph Caruso),
DUKE UNIVERSITY (Helene Baumann), HARVARD UNIVERSITY (Jill
Young Coelho), INDIANA UNIVERSITY (Nancy Schmidt), LIBRARY
OF CONGRESS (Ruth Thomas, Joanne Zellers), MICHIGAN STATE
UNIVERSITY (Joseph Lauer), NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY - SCHOMBURG
CENTER (Andrew DeHeer), NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (Dan Britz,
David Easterbrook, Patricia Ogedengbe, Mette Shayne), OHIO
UNIVERSITY (Theodore Foster),STANFORD UNIVERSITY-HOOVER
INSTITUTION (Karen Fung), UNIVERSITY OFCALIFORNIA, BERKELEY
(Phyllis Bischof, Simon Bockie), UNIVERSITY OFCALIFORNIA,
LOS ANGELES (Ruby Bell-Gam, Miki Goral), UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA(Peter
Malanchuk, Razia Wanji), UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS (Al Kagan),UNIVERSITYOF
PENNSYLVANIA (Dennis Hyde), YALE UNIVERSITY (Moore Crossey).
Guests present: Dr. Saliou Mbaye (Archives de Senegal),
Ken Lorentz (University of Kansas)
CAMP members not represented: Cornell University, Dartmouth
College, Emory University, Hebrew University - Harry S.
Truman Research Institute, La Trobe University (Australia),
New York University, Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, Ohio State
University, Princeton University, Queen's University at
Kingston(Ontario) , South African Library, Syracuse University,
Temple University, University of Cambridge-African Studies
Centre, University of Chicago, University of Kansas, University
of Iowa, University of London - School of Oriental and African
Studies, University of Minnesota, University of Rochester,
University of Tasmania, University of Virginia, University
of Western Australia, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Introductions: All attending introduced themselves. D Britz
reminded the group that only member institutions could vote,
and that each institution had only one vote.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF ELECTION - D. Britz announced that
copies of ballots for open slots on the CAMP executive committee
will be mailed to members. The candidates are:
CAMP Secretary: Helene Baumann (Duke University), Peter
Malanchuk (University of Florida, Gainesville) CAMP Member-at-Large:
Jill Coelho (Harvard University), Karen Fung (Stanford University)
CAMP Faculty Representative: Dr. John Hanson (Indiana University),
Dr. Ebere Onwudiwe (Central State University, Ohio)
I. CRL REPORT - MARLYS RUDEEN (Financial Report
and list of commitments attached) Grant income and expenses
are not tallied with the general funds. Revenues shown are
through October 1997, and reflect the loss of the University
of Rochester as a member. By the end of the present fiscal
year, there will be $4000 more in revenues.
Commitments show what CAMP will have to pay for filming.
$1500 needs to be added for Tanzanian newspapers.
The proceedings of the ASA general meeting for 1996 and
forward will be available only on CD-ROM and therefore cannot
be filmed. Joe Caruso will ask the ASA board about this
problem.
Discussion: It was asked if Northwestern could ask for
the originals of papers and keep them as long as necessary?
D. Easterbrook, D. Britz agreed to do so. Another question
was how library users would get copies of single papers.
As the largest segment of ASA's publication customer base,
the ALC needs to let the ASA know some of the issues raised
by publishing indifferent formats. It was agreed that this
was more of a question for ALC than for CAMP, and that the
ALC liaison to the ASA Publications committee should provide
input regarding the difficulties of using CD-ROM as the
only form of publication. Marlys will keep the CD-ROM at
CRL in the meantime.
On order: Drum is still on order, and there is no word
from the filmer.
II. SYMPOSIUM ON ACCESS TO AND PRESERVATION OF GLOBAL
NEWSPAPERS - MARLYS RUDEEN AND PHYLLIS BISCHOF The symposium
was sponsored by CRL,ALC and LC and hosted by LC. The purpose
of the symposium was to gather a group whose discussions
would build a foundation for action on the general problem
of newspapers. Librarians, bibliographers, micropublishers
and faculty members each talked about their take on the
problem. The decision was to form a task force to come up
with specific action plans. Among the issues discussed:
U.S. libraries are getting around 5% of world newspapers,
and filming even fewer. Though the consensus is that filming
is still the best preservation technology, digitization
needs to be looked at. The NEH is willing to consider filming
newspapers under its brittle books plan, and the ARL is
publicizing its plan for Africa.
Discussion: Dan Britz asked about the respective roles
of CAMP and CRL. Marlys replied that CAMP's role will be
to continue its present filming programs, but has limits
of staff and funds. If there were a funding campaign, CRL
would have to partner with other institutions to get filming
money and to locate big enough newspaper runs. A good springboard
would be the proposed union list of newspapers that would
let everyone know where papers are. David Easterbrook said
that even though a list would be a necessary first step,
it is a separate project and CAMP needs to submit at least
a brief proposal to the Mellon Foundation through CRL as
its permanent parent organization. Marlys added that any
proposal to digitize should always include a microfilm copy
as a safety net. It doesn't matter whether the material
is scanned or filmed first, but filming is imperative. There
are a number of ways to digitize a page. An image of the
page itself can be made, it can be put through an OCR program
to capture the text, or an image file can be linked to a
text file. Some critical questions to be answered include
the preservation of aspects of the image like the original
typeface and advertisements, and problems of copyright for
scanning and Web access.
III. TITLE VI/CAMP SENEGALESE ARCHIVAL MICROFILMING
PROJECT - JOE CARUSO
Filming is nearly complete on the pilot project. CRL has
received 140 rolls of film, not yet checked, but CRL has
worked hard with the Senegalese National Archives to assure
standards. 30 more rolls will conclude the pilot project,
which represents two-thirds of the complete collection of
colonial court records.
Discussion: Dan Britz said that it would be good to continue
the project even if the Title VI directors decide to do
something else. Nancy Schmidt said that the Title VI directors
are committed to 3 more years and that perhaps CAMP can
top it off. Joe Caruso said that the cost for the pilot
project to produce positive copy is $26,000, and we have
asked Dr. Mbaye about selling a negative to CAMP purely
for preservation . We would agree in our contract that Senegal's
approval would be required for any copying. Dr. Mbaye said
that they were pleased with the copyright provision, and
that they are working to improve the technology. CAMP's
standards make it possible to demand high quality of work
from technicians. Another point raised was that other West
African archives would benefit from this experience. It
was asked how difficult it would be to expand into other
countries. This has been the first successful program, and
CAMP would be interested in hearing from Ghana, for example,
regarding materials to film and equipment available.
IV. MALAWI NEWSPAPERS - RUTH THOMAS (moved from
New Business because Ruth had to leave early)
Besides the funds already committed for funding Tanzanian
newspapers, the Nairobi LC office is seeking CAMP funding
to film the remaining Malawi newspapers. The most recent
Nairobi office activity has been the "miscellaneous
newspapers" not regularly filmed at LC. In June of
1997, it was agreed that Nairobi would send the miscellaneous
newspapers to New Delhi for preservation filming with a
minimum run of 50 issues. Filming would be exclusively for
preservation. Though the film would be available for viewing
at LC, permission from publishers would be required before
it could be sold or lent.
Dan Britz asked the group to vote on the proposed allocation
of $6,000 to film the remaining Malawi newspapers. ***APPROVED***
V. OLD BUSINESS
1. Results of the mail ballot (see attached
report) - Marlys Rudeen Marlys explained the scoring of
the votes. Almost everyone votes "yes", but the
priorities assigned result in a weighted decision. Early
years of apartheid is owned by several institutions, and
does not get as high a score. Purchasing is not as urgent
when film is commercially available. Marlys requested feedback
on this method of setting priorities.
Discussion: Moore Crossey agreed that the balloting process
is useful. Dan Britz voted "no" on Early Years
of Apartheid because he thought it should be on the general
CRL ballot and save CAMP some money. He then suggested passing
over these items for now.
2. Judges' notebooks from Nigeria - Marlys
Rudeen and Joe Caruso Marlys said that five reels had been
received, and had "vinegar syndrome", a sign of
decomposition. The pages were nearly illegible, and she
recommended not going forward. The $10,000 allocated had
all been spent. Joe Caruso said that the only way to communicate
was through the USIS library, and that the post was vacant
right now. This project had been a personal commitment of
the former librarian.
Discussion: Marlys replied to a question that at this
point there was no recourse. Dan Britz said that we simply
had to move forward and learn from this that we must never
again pay in advance. Some of the unique problems with this
project included the need to keep starting over when judges
with whom permission had been negotiated died or resigned.
There were letters of commitment, but no formal contract
with a government body, and everything was happening 3000
miles away. CAMP had initiated the project when we heard
from a researcher that the collection was disintegrating.
Among other points raised were that we need to work with
a stable institution and one whose legitimacy is established.
For example, the University of Lagos would have been a much
better intermediary. It was suggested that we contact Dr.
Banjo, head of the Nigerian Library Association, for help
in any future projects in Nigeria. Joanne Zellers said that
we should consider having a set of guidelines for projects
which would include a required annual report and regular
financial statements. This would help CAMP, the cooperating
institution, and whoever is doing the work.
3. Bamenda Project - To be skipped for
now. Mette Shayne mentioned that there is a camera in Cameroun,
and that it is being checked out.
4. Preservation microfilming from Northwestern
and Michigan State - Joe Lauer said that some materials
are still in process at MSU. David Easterbrook said that
Northwestern is expecting NEH funding in the fall of 1998,
and is ready to go whenever the money is available.
Discussion: Dan Britz asked if it were worth doing at
CAMP, and Marlys replied that it would cost around $1500.
The total of the CIC and MSU projects for the preservation
filming of brittle monographs and newspapers is about $15,000.
The question rose whether CAMP funds should be used to buy
film already at Northwestern and MSU, and whether CAMP should
buy only the film of newspapers. Regarding individual citations,
Marlys said that MSU's films came with OCLC copy, but Northwestern's
did not. She said that CRL could catalog the serials, and
especially the newpapers given high priority. David Easterbrook
said that titles could be easily found because they were
filmed one to a single or several reels. He said that it
wasn't possible to know ahead of time what was going to
be filmed, or when, but that Northwestern could let CAMP
know what they were trying to film, depending on funding,
etc. In any case, Northwestern plans to film an extra copy
for CAMP. Dan ended the discussion by asking that a list
of newspapers being filmed be brought to the next meeting,
and that monographs already in the pipeline not be eliminated.
Ruby Bell-Gam suggested posting or distributing the list
ahead of time.
5. Liberian newspapers - Joe Lauer and
Marlys Rudeen There was a one-year hiatus during the civil
war, but filming has started again. Marlys said that LC
already had more film than she had thought, but that the
filming costs for what is left will be higher than earlier
estimates. She requested an additional allocation of $1500.
***APPROVED***
6. Other old business: Helene Baumann
asked what she should tell the head to the Global Cooperation
project. There was consensus that she should say that CAMP
will expand its funding proposal ; we will explore digitization
and have set up an advisory committee to make a formal proposal.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
1. Rivonia Trial Record - The Brenthurst
Foundation has agreed to let the South African National
Archives film the entire collection, and now CAMP needs
to ask if we can get permission to buy a copy.
Discussion: Dan Britz said that we ought to ask how complete
the film is. Moore Crossey added that this set is only those
records owned by the prosecutor. The group agreed that Dan
should inquire.
2. Karis-Gerhart Collection -. Moore
Crossey The collection was begun five years ago with students
collecting and copying materials from various institutions.
Though the collection is not exhaustive, it is the largest
single collection anywhere. A preservation copy was made
three years ago and is on deposit at Yale. More collecting
has been done since, including a significant number of interviews
with political figures. The filming is being done by a firm
called DataPoint. There are three volumes of documents,
essays, etc. A final version of the guide will be ready
next spring, arranged chronolgically by genre.
Discussion: Dan Britz pointed out that this is a unique
and important collection. It needs to be spelled out who
gets copies, and CAMP should have the negative. Dan said
he thought the guide could be put up on the Web. Moore added
that the project is not private since it is partly funded
by NEH. Nancy Schmidt suggested examining the guide before
voting to spend the money. She added that the earlier Carter-Karris
collection set a very high standard and hoped this met it.
After some discussion, Dan asked that the Executive be delegated
to examine the guide and if it meets the standard, to send
out a ballot to the membership. Nancy Schmidt moved that
the CAMP Executive check out the question of the inventory
and guide. If the standards are equivalent to Carter-Keris
and if it can be made available in print or on the Web,
the Executive will authorize the allocation of $10,000 and
inform the CAMP membership. ***APPROVED***
3. South African Communist Party archives
They consist of two suitcases of C.P. materials of which
Joe Slovo was the caretaker. They are now held by Gale Gerhart.
Dan Britz requested that $1500 be allocated. He will investigate
the papers and the inventory, and if more is needed he will
put out a mail ballot. ***APPROVED***
Here Marlys Rudeen pointed out that the money remaining
was down to $5000.
4. People's Voice from Harare - Nancy
Schmidt Indiana has a subscription to People's Voice, but
Nancy requested a commitment from CAMP to continue filming.
Discussion: Phyllis Bischof suggested asking Ruth Thomas
if the Nairobi office is filming, and if so, whether film
can be lent. Joanne Zellers said that the LC office is working
alphabetically, and has only gotten to Swaziland. They have
not requested any copyright permission, and would have to
do so title by title. Nancy said that Indiana has funding
to film only through 1997. A motion was made to purchase
Indiana film of People's Voice through 1997 when it becomes
available. ***APPROVED***
5. ANC archives at Fort Hare - Moore
Crossey said he would find out who to contact to request
permission for CAMP to buy a copy of the microfilm. Dan
Britz added that it is important to start a working relationship
with the ANC.
6. Other New Business - A. Ken Lohrentz
said that he is working on a CAMP bibliography. He served
as KU's CRL liaison and was invited to do a bibliography
project on CRL's Africana. He went through ALN, Focus, etc.
for an article entitled "Africana at CRL: a Survey
of Holdings and Access." It includes such things as
collection development discussions, tips on searching the
CRL catalog. He intends to submit it for publication in
African Studies Review. There is the possibility of a pamphlet
series, but he is not sure if library guides would be part
of it. The article might be more appropriate as a pamphlet.
Discussion: Joanne Zellers suggested that publishing for
a broader library audience in a publication like C&RL
News, RQ, LITA Journal, etc. might serve to inform librarians
about Africana. Phyllis Bischof added that it would also
help alert library administrators to Africana. Dan Britz
asked Ken about the purpose of his article, and Ken said
that its primary focus was to point scholars beginning research
careers in Africana to the CAMP collections. Miki Goral
said she had looked for that kind of information on the
ALC home page.
B. At Dan Britz' request, the group agreed to postpone
a decision on a proposal to purchase the Rivonia trial archive
films.
C. Gretchen Walsh said that we cannot proceed with dissertation
filming before we know what the CRL parameters are.
D. Joe Caruso said that Columbia has two newspaper subscriptions
funded by Title VI that need to be sent for filming.
The meeting was adjourned.
Return
to CAMP meeting summary page
|