1995 Annual Meeting
Athens, Georgia
April 29, 1995

Minutes

1. The minutes of the 1994 meeting (Salt Lake City) were approved as distributed.

Budget Report

1. Marlys Rudeen presented LAMP's financial statement, which shows a continuing healthy balance. Marlys also explained CRL's current policy of both charging the Area Studies projects for cataloging costs and retaining interest on fund balances to help defray administrative overhead. CRL's commitment and contributions to the projects have grown substantially through the years; the Center is now spending significantly more in support of the projects than ever before. The Center nonetheless recognizes that LAMP, with its large fund balance, generates a disproportionate share of the interest income associated with the Area Studies projects. CRL does not expect to adopt another fee structure if/as LAMP's fund balance decreases.

Area Studies Council

1. A flyer describing all five projects (CAMP, LAMP, MEMP, SAMP, SEAM) is being prepared at CRL. The Council also intends to develop a practical manual for overseas preservation projects that will cover such areas as filming standards, suppliers and equipment, currency transactions, postal and customs requirements, etc. This guide should have general utility for projects sited in areas without strong traditions for microfilming and/or international collaboration.

Executive Committee elections

1. Eudora Loh (UCLA) was elected to a three-year term, filling the vacancy created as Adan Griego rotated away. The membership expressed its appreciation for Adan's service.

LAMP LISTSERV

1. Marlys recently established an e-mail mailing list for LAMP, through which she can request missing newspaper issues before CRL proceeds with in-house filming. The membership asked if this might be upgraded to an actual listserve which could function as a channel for ongoing LAMP business. Marlys agreed to pursue this possibility. The prospect of shorter annual meetings provoked generalized gratitude and celebration.

LAMP Projects

Project reports: Approved projects, film or digital files being produced

1. Memorias project
   Edmundo Flores distributed a list of the memorias that have been filmed with NEH funds, and also of those not yet preserved. Three titles were filmed in 1994 and four titles have been recommended for 1995. Condition of LC files, rather than content, has been the principle criterion for preservation microfilming.

   LAMP has been allocating fairly small but steady amounts to sustain this filming. However, filming charges at the Library of Congress have been dramatically increased, to a price about twice that quoted by other qualified preservation microfilmers. Moreover, LC administrators have determined that LAMP should also absorb the collation costs associated with preserving LC's holdings. A disgruntled membership agreed to suspend our memorias filming at the Library of Congress. We will explore alternative filming options, and also decide how best to select the most important remaining titles.

2. Latin American theological serials
   Peter Johnson reported on continuing filming progress at Princeton Theological Seminary. Two hundred thirty-seven reels containing 59 titles have been filmed thus far, at a total cost of $47,800. Seventy-five titles remain, at an estimated cost of $60,800. The membership, upon Peter's suggestion, allocated $7,000 for filming during the coming year.
   
3. Revue de la Societe Haitienne d'Histoire et de Geographie de Haiti
   Cesar Rodriguez reported filming delays due to reorganizations at Yale. The filming will be completed in the coming year.
   
4. Cuban Archives
   Dan Hazen expanded on Jane Landers' written report concerning exploratory filming work with Cuban church archives. Additional LAMP support has not been requested. The membership suggested other agencies - notably the Genealogical Society - as potential sponsors, and also congratulated Jane's team on its accomplishments.
   
5. Brazilian documents digitizing project
   Scott Van Jacob, LAMP's Project Manager for this Mellon-funded endeavor, reported on progress to date. Image files and associated indexing (including Ann Hartness's guide to statistical information in the provincial "president's" reports) will within the next few months begin to become available through CRL's Home Page. Members are urged to both react to and publicize the images once they have been mounted.

Project Reports: Preparatory work underway

1. Irish-Argentine newspapers
   David Block elaborated on Oliver Marshall's efforts to identify potential filmers in Buenos Aires, following his initial success in securing the publisher's permission to film. The estimates from the two vendors approached thus far are very high. The membership agreed to await a third estimate from "Estudio 3," a firm that has produced good-quality film at reasonable prices. The membership will be polled for a quick response once complete information is in hand.

   Peter Johnson suggested that this and other Argentine projects will be simplified by employing a local "expediter." The membership, in agreeing, authorized the Executive Committee to approve limited disbursements to this end.

   RECENT NEWS: Oliver Marshall had been requested to explore filming costs at Estudio 3. He passed the request along to Guillermo Ford, the publisher. Ford has supplied cost quotes that show that Estudio 3 will be by far the cheapest filmer. A few issues still require clarification (for instance where duplicate reels are prepared and whether the Value-Added Tax will apply). We may be able to proceed fairly soon.

2. Lafragua Collection, Biblioteca Nacional de Mexico
   Carl Deal reported on his ongoing contacts with Mexico's Biblioteca Nacional. The National Library has submitted a grant proposal, in conjunction with LAMP, that seeks $25,000 to film the Lafragua Collection's ca. 1,800 pamphlets, most from the nineteenth century. Filming will involve 16 mm. stock, and the Library promises conformity to ANSI standards. Two hundred reels are anticipated. The National Library will ultimately retain the negative, though duplicate film will be prepared in the United States. The membership authorized up to $10,000 to cover LAMP's share of Lafragua filming costs.

Project Reports: Preliminary stages

1. Archivo del Horror
   Dan Hazen called attention to the article in the spring 1995 issue of Latin American Research Review that detailed the archive and its holdings. We have received no response to repeated requests to pursue a project. Our efforts may be best sustained through direct contact, perhaps via our "expediter" in Buenos Aires.
   
2. Archivo General de la Nacion, Mexico
   Carl Deal reported on his ongoing negotiations with the AGN. A year ago we seemed on the verge of a substantial venture to exchange film, but the Director subsequently changed. Carl has only recently secured signatures to a new convenio between our institutions.

New Projects and Proposals

1. Critica (Buenos Aires)
   Peter Johnson reviewed the importance of this newspaper, its endangered condition, and available holdings. Filming the entire run (1913-1960s) would be expensive, and the paper's quality appears to have declined in its later years. The membership agreed to explore initial filming to the end of World War II, and allocated up to $18,000 to proceed. Various details must still be resolved; our Argentine "expeditor" will take charge.
   
2. Caribbean Commission reports
   Victor Torres proposed a $1,075 project to film these materials. An interested membership requested a revised submission that clarifies such points as whether any items are already on film.
   
3. Argentine and Mexican Presidential messages
   The Association of Research Libraries' "Latin American Demonstration Project" (in which many LAMP members are participating) includes a provision to digitize presidential messages from Argentina and Mexico. The ARL work does not provide for preservation microfilming. Mark Grover, "Project Manager" of the ARL effort, therefore requested $15,000 for this filming. His proposal was approved.
   
4. Don Ouijote (1884-1905)
   Sarah Landeryou reported on and showed samples of this Argentine serial, which was recently acquired by the University of Illinois. The material is important and in difficult physical condition. Illinois owns 869 issues, which can be filmed in four reels at an estimated cost of $1,500. Sarah will also check for additional holdings in the United States. (The membership decided to hold off on possible combinations with sets in Argentina itself.) The membership authorized up to $2,000 for this project.

Other Projects

1. Biblioteca Nacional del Peru pamphlets
   Peter Johnson reported on initial approaches with the National Library. Since their filming charges are prohibitive, our relationship remains latent.
2. Variedades (Peru)
   Dora Loh reported on UCLA's holdings of this weekly, which appeared between 1908 and 1932. Up to $8,000 was approved for filming.
3. CODEPU (Chile)
   This Chilean human rights group is reportedly closing its Valparaiso office and the associated case archives. The material is particularly important given the naval presence in this port city. The membership urged Peter Johnson to continue his explorations.
4. NACLA Archives
   NACLA's substantial archive of (mostly left-wing) materials from the 1960s and 1970s has not fared as anticipated at the institution where it was deposited. Other actors continue to seek its organization and eventual preservation.
5. Minorcan heritage
   Dan Hazen reported on a preliminary proposal that would have subsidized filming of Minorcan archival materials bearing on early settlement in Florida. LAMP's Executive Committee unanimously agreed that the proposal would change our longstanding policy of avoiding filming that concerns areas within the present-day United States. The membership concurred with that decision.

General Concerns

1. Newspaper microfilming: Center for Research Libraries and the Library of Congress
   Several members reported on the changing panorama of newspaper filming. The Library of Congress has sharply reduced its newspaper coverage, and now represents itself as "a player" - not "the leader" - in national coverage. The Center for Research Libraries, after several quiet years, is attempting both to catch up on its newspaper filming and to expand its coverage, preferably through a self-sustaining operation. A number of regional coalitions of Latin American collections, among them the Northeast Latin American libraries consortium ("LANE"), are pursuing complementary strategies for improved newspaper coverage. (LANE, for example, has approached some commercial filmers to explore an effort that would distribute responsibility for high-use, commercially viable titles to those agents, while leaving progressively more esoteric materials to local institutions.) LAMP members, while finding ongoing newspaper filming beyond our charge as currently understood, shared in the general interest over newspaper coverage.
   Discussions of microfilming strategies also highlighted a near universal concern that some duplicate filming is underway. Various mechanisms such as special fields in RLIN and OCLC records, and SALALM's own Microfilming Projects Newsletter, have been created to prevent this duplication. Further investigation seems essential in order to determine why the safeguards don't always work.

Official gazettes

1. Several libraries with substantial, continuing collections of official gazettes have sought both to consolidate existing holdings and to provide for future coverage. Crucial changes in personnel have put their prospective effort on hold. Nonetheless, the Center for Research Libraries has agreed to accept deposits of hardcopy retrospective holdings, initially from New York Public Library. (CRL's definition of "retrospective" is a bit slippery, in order to allow the library community to devise its strategy for the future.)
2. MAPFRE follow-up
   Spain's MAPFRE Foundation continues to pursue its ambitious agenda of identifying Latin American archives, capturing available guides and finding aids, and - ultimately - digitizing both the finding aids and some original documents themselves. A preliminary report entitled "Fuentes manuscritas para la historia de Iberoamerica: Guia de instrumentos de investigacion" has already been issued.
   MAPFRE more recently participated in a meeting to consider financial support for a fairly modest program of "emergency aid" to Latin American archives. Neither funding nor organizational arrangements are entirely settled.

Chilean convenio

1. Carl Deal reported no further progress.

New Business

1. Discussion of a dues increase was tabled.

Adjournment

1. At an unusually early ca. 10:15 p.m.!

Secretary, Adan Griego

1994/95 Executive Committee: David Block, Edmundo Flores (ex officio), Adan Griego, Dan Hazen (chair)

Summary of New Spending Authorizations

Project	Expenditure
Princeton theological serials	$7,000
Lafragua Collection, Mexico	$10,000
Critica (Argentina)	$18,000
Argentine/Mexican presidential message	$15,000
Don Ouijote (Argentina)	$2,000
Variedades (Peru)	$8,000
"Expediter" in Buenos Aires	to be determined
TOTAL	$60,000

LAMP: Received
Since May 1994

PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL JOURNALS

CAMPO MISIONERO
Buenos Aires : Fundacion Cristiana Llavallol,
Ano 34, no. 7-ano 49, no. 6 (Jan. 1978-June 1993), 8 reels.
$1,412.24
RECORD # = b14349413

IGLESIAS
Mexico D.F. : Centro Nacional de Comunicacion Social, A.C.,
1983-1992; Indices 1986-1990. 4 reels.
$736.16
RECORD # = b1431390x.

LUMINAR BAUTISTA
Caracas : Convencion Nacional Bautista de Venezuela,
Ano 26, no. 244-Ano 41, no. 406 (May 1977-1992). 3 reels.
$552.12
RECORD # = bl4313935.

REVISTA BIBLICA
[Buenos Aires: s.n.].
Ano 3, no. I I-ano 42, no. 178 (May 1941-1980); nueva epoca ano 43, no. 1-ano 54, no. 48
(1981-1992). 11 reels
$1,941.76
RECORD # = b14349425

STROMATA
San Miguel, Argentina: Universidad del Salvador, Filosofia y Teologia,
v. 28-48, no. 4 (1972-1992). 6 reels.
$1104.20
RECORD # = b14313881

CUBAN MICROFICHES (Instituto de Historia.)

LA AURORA: PERIODICO SEMINAL DEDICADO A LOS ARTESANOS
Habana
[Oct. 22, 1865-May 3, 1868]. 13 fiches
RECORD # = bl434967x

BOLET'IN DEL GREMIO DE OBREROS
Habana
Aug. 5, Sept. 20, 1886. 1 fiche
RECORD # = b1434967x

EL CENTINELA: PERIODICO DEFENSOR DE LA GUARDIA CIVIL, DE LA NACIONALIDAD Y DE INTRESES GENERALE
Habana
July 3-Oct. 16, 1897; Mar. 9-June 26, 1897. 11 fiches
RECORD # = 14349681

LA CLARIDAD: ORGANO DE LOS GREMIO DE LA HABANA
Habana
[Nov. 1, 1890-June 27, 1891]. 3 fiches
RECORD # = bl4349693

EL HIJO DEL PUEBLO: SEMANARIO DE INTRESES GENERALES
Manzanillo
[May 24-July 26, 18851. 1 fiche
RECORD # = b1434970x

EL PRODUCTOR: SEMANARIO CONSAGRADO A DE DEFENSA DE LOS INTRESES ECONOMICO-SOCIALES DE LA CLASE OBRERA
Habana
July 12, 1887-Dec. 27, 1888; [Feb. 28, 1889-June 3, 1890]; Nov. 23, 1890. 13 fiches
RECORD # = b14349711

REVISTA DE CAYO HUESO
[May 19, 1897-Oct. 10, 1898]. 9 fiches
RECORD # = b14349723

LC MEMORIA FILMING RECEIVED

Colombia. Ministerio del Tesoro
INFORME
Bogota, Colombia
1881-1925, 3 reels
RECORD # = bl4369667

El Salvador. Ministerio de Hacienda y Credito Publico
MEMORIA
San Salvador,
1850-1956, 12 reels
RECORD # = bl4369655

TO BE DELIVERED AFTER CORRECTIONS MADE

Guatemala. Secretaria de Fomento
MEMORIA
1880-1943, 10 reels

Guatemala. Secretaria de Gobernacion y Justicia
MEMORIA
1849/51-1942, 11 reels

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