November 17, 2000
Coronado Springs Resort
Orlando, FL

Call to order

Present:  James Simon, Michael Hopper, Roberta Dougherty, Joan Biella, Joyce Bell, Frank Unlandherm, Midhat Abraham, David Hirsch, Christopher Murphy, Dona Straley, Jonathan Rodgers, Abazar Sepehri, Mary St. Germain, Laila Mulgaokar, Meryle Gaston, Mark Day, Gamil Youssef, Leonard Chiarelli, IDC rep, Dennis Hyde, Simon Samoeil, George Fawzi

Continuing Business

CRL Reports: (J. Simon)

Handouts distributed, including MEMP financial statements; statements and commitments handouts: ending balance Oct. 2000 $37,707.55; Total commitments $22,631.75; available funds $15,075.80
All commitments to date by FY handout
MEMP received since 11/10/99 handout
Bayrut Taymz approved last year, back-file filmed and available for loan; current subscription ordered.
LC pamphlet collection: see list in handout
MEMP on order: Chaqeri collection: Harvard
Updates: web page expanded; guide listed out item by item;
MEMP holdings list (November 2000) distributed
CRL news: Beverly Lynch interim president; search under way finalists maybe Jan 2001 in place [Note: J. Simon’s e-mail of 23 Jul 2001: Bernard F. Reilly, Jr., has been appointed President of the Center for Research Libraries.]
Rates for non-member loans and film rates
CLR has submitted a grant proposal on behalf of the International Coalition on Newspapers (ICON) for a Database of International Newspapers and pilot preservation program of international newspapers.
Also under way is a grant-funded project to catalogue and make available in an online database CRL collections of uncatalogued foreign dissertations. See CRL’s web page for details of this and other projects:
MEMP uncatalogued title list: Board has taken care of most – all but 5 titles. There is a call for volunteers to catalogue the remaining titles. The 5 left are newspapers from Sudan, and Dona Straley offer to take them all.

II. LC Report: (C. Murphy)

1. G. Selim retired June. Mary Jane Deeb takes responsibility for overseeing the filming 100 titles per year of materials from the Arab world, Central Asia, Turkey. The work is undertaken by LC Photodup, LC Micro-reformatting, or contractor Preservation Resources. There is some delay here;  this contractor also used by CRL.
Newspapers: There is a 6 month backlog. Arabic average depends on sources; try to do most Arabic in-house because of higher demand.
8000 titles on fiche now being organized; includes pre-93 list from Delhi, consists of titles not in any database. Arabic, Persian, Armenian, Turkish titles, Arabic ephemeral publications, bank reports, cotton industry reports, etc.
LC has more staff attendants to assist in processing prelim cards from Delhi.
consists of those items that LC could obtain in single copy, only distributed to participants in fiche copies
IDC materials: LC committed to purchase the Arabic Manuscripts in The British Library collection
Posting on the web of microfilmed newspapers titles; WP files maybe by beginning of 2001.
NGO microfilm project: M. Deeb, L. Mulgaokar, and C. Murphy, acquisitions trips to locate and purchase NGO publications on population, occupational health, safety, environment, etc. Murphy has list, but not available list
of organizations.
Delhi’s funding cap for microfiche program good, titles will be fiched and catalogued as collections under corporate headings with subject and contents list
Suggestion: post list of NGO’s on MELA NET: L. Mulgaokar will do so.
LC uses USIA as entre to NGO’s; president of the World Bank helped also.
Turkey has published lists of these societies, NGO’s
Is there a possibility for cooperation with CRL in this endeavor? Murphy: no.
Arabic pamphlet project about to wind up. MEMP allocation for processing with LC specifications; organized by country or by subject by country; ready to ship; still $3000 allocated; CRL will ship on receipt; if still more, MEMP Board will decide (see handout)

III. Cairo Office Report: (Laila Mulgaokar)

Fiching and filming in Cairo: no more. Office is scheduled to move into the basement in embassy and there is no room for microfilming, not available in new quarters, no funding; rather, use New Delhi or photodup at LC Washington
Selection criteria of fiching: what titles are to be fiched in Delhi? It is noted that there is a need to rationalize...
Delhi cooperative acquisitions program list of pamphlet collection for India. Cairo would like to do something similar, e.g., “women in ME or individual country”, etc.
A visit to Delhi to find out more is a possibility.
NGO project discussed.
MECAP newspaper list handout consists of three lists.
Official Gazette: LC called national library and archives. Both have sets, but there are problems with Dar al-Kutub: no cooperation foreseen
al-Ahram organization film: to be analyzed; targets are not up to standard, headers missing. LC has rejected the possibility of LC Photodup doing; it already uses silver halide
Standards for microfilming: targeting at LC very strict. Thus both al-Ahram and LC filming the same thing

IV.  Previous MEMP project updates

Ahali group index  - 1600 pp. Issue of permission to photocopy for MEMP members, also copies on disk. The file is in MS Word in Arabic. This format raises problems of distribution. It has been converted now to Adobe .pdf format. Questions: Post it on the web site? How should it be distributed? but CRL has concerns about copyright, size of files; should it be distributed on CD’s for MEMP membership only?  Need to confirm that Ahali .pdf files can be searched with Adobe Acrobat ME edition

al-Hatif (James Weinberger’s report in absentia) is about to done in coming weeks.

Kuwait al-yawm: Currently being filmed by LC Law. C. Murphy reports that LC Law did not respond to his query. D. Straley also reports about its status at OSU. Earlier issues from the 70's held.

V.  Election of MEMP Executive Board members

D. Straley and B. Bickett are the Nominating Committee.
David Hirsch, James Weinberger are candidates proposed from floor. Michael Hopper nominated by write in. There is a break in business to vote.
Results:  Elected are D. Hirsch, J. Weinberger, and M. Hopper

Update from Iraq Committee (M. Gaston)
handout distributed
Iraq sanctions: LC requests exemption from Treasury Dept; NYPL has on film al-Jumhuriyah up to invasion date.
Question of how to proceed: D. Hirsch to examine local holdings, collect that data.   The committee will compare these holding with the Dayan Centre holdings, and then we can begin filming combined holdings.  D. Hirsch will post the holdings to the MELA list to determine all member holdings.

NEW BUSINESS

VI.  Filming Proposals

D. Hirsch report on titles of desiderata proposed [see executive committee minutes for details].  All titles are held at UCLA. 

D. Hirsch inquires as to thoughts of members about ethnic-American newspapers. There is a consensus in that all agree this category should be added to collection development profile.

Gamil Youssef: NYPL ius considering filming Kayhan (London); is anyone else considering filmingthe title? Iran Times also? LC films some of these.
Also Lebanese photo archive is suggested by Youssef who will provide details in a proposal for the next meeting; he will mail MELA NET with some details.

LC: political opposition materials are not on the agenda this year

Turkish Newspaper project: J. Simon states that MEMP is committing $1000 per year now; $1500 for three years, 19 titles, now expired. If there still interest in membership; there are 5 more titles with good runs and we can cooperate with LC. Membership votes yes 2001–3, $1500/year.

Al-Samir:  Ilya Abu Madi: Bob Madey is his son and holds his personal papers and the periodical he edited - al-Samir - 1936–1957.  He offers a proposal to make the periodical accessible to all in microfilm but provides only vague details. He is negotiating with institutions to acquire and film and set up a scholarship fund and a Ilya Abu Madi institute. MEMP Board decides to draft a letter to propose to Bob Madey that MEMP accept and film the periodical. The project might cost around $20,000, which exceeds budget. It could be budgeted over two years or with a special additional assessment?
D. Straley raises the possibility of raising membership fees to accommodate the cost of the project.
Discussion: perhaps an increase in membership fees is preferred to a special assessment in the interest of convincing administrations to provide funding
It is decided to table the issue of raising funds for now. The Board will discuss it further.

MEMP White Paper: the Board will assume the responsibility of the former committee to take the WP.

D. Hirsch: proposes a new brochure or otherwise revise or update it. He notes that other groups have international membership. Suggestion of possible ties with MELCOM? M. Hopper sent notice to MELCOM list but
received no response

Adjourned

It is announced that the Board meets afterwards.

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MEMP – Received
Since 11/10/1999

MF Neg. MF.
Ankara [microform].
Ankara (Ankara, Turkey : 1946)
Ankara : Ulus Muessesesi,
"Aksam haberleri."
Description based on: 11. yil, sayi 3298-1412 (1 ocak 1950).
Microfilm. Jan.1,1950-Dec.10,1952 Bethlehem, Pa. : Microfilmed by Preservation Resources for Middle East Microfilming Project ; [Chicago, Ill. : Available from] Center for Research Libraries, 2000. 6 microfilm reels ; 35 mm.
Center has:
MF-12315 MEMP (6 reels) 1950: Jan. 1-6, 9, 11-15, Jan. 17-Feb. 2, Mar. 1, Mar. 3-Apr. 20, Apr. 22-28, Apr. 30-Aug. 12, Aug. 14-Oct. 11, Oct. 13-16, Oct. 18-Nov. 1, Nov. 3-Dec. 21, Dec. 23, 26-31;
1951: Jan. 23, 25, Feb. 3, 7, June 11-15, 18, June 21-July 1, July 3, 5-9, 12-25, July 27-Aug. 29, Aug. 31-Sept. 14, Sept. 16-Nov. 7, Nov. 9, 11-21, 23-27, Nov. 29-Dec. 16, Dec. 18-30;
1952: Jan. 1, Jan. 31-Feb. 1, Feb. 4, 7, 12, 22, 25-26, 28-29, Mar. 2, 5-9, 15-21, Mar. 27-Apr. 2, Apr. 9, 18-20, May 1-17, 19-27, May 29-June 18, June 20-21, 23, 26-29, July 1, 3-7, July 9-Aug. 30, Sept. 3-26, Sept. 28-Dec. 5, Dec. 7-10.
Neg. MF-at lab.
Received: 08-02-2000
Paid: $752.88
25134403.

MF.
Bayrut taymz [microform] = Beirut times.
Lus Angilus, Kalifurniya : [Beirut Times Pub.,
Numbering irregular, <Aug. 31, 1985>-Oct. 30, 1985: issues for <Aug. 31, 1985>-Sept. 30, 1985 called: year 5, no. <188>-191; for Oct. 1/10, 1985: year 1, no. 11; for Oct. 11, 1985: year 5, no. 192; for Oct. 20, 1985: year 1, no. 6 = 193; for Oct. 30, 1985- ; year 1, no. 8-
In Arabic with section in English.
Microfilm. Burbank, Calif. : Data Microfilming Corp., [19--] microfilm reels ; 35 mm.
Center has:
MF-12272 MEMP (13 reels) v. 5, no. 188-v. 14, no. 644 (Aug. 31, 1985-Dec. 31, 1998/Jan. 7, 1999).
Received: 05-04-2000
Paid: $790.77
44259842.

Library of Congress Arabic Pamphlet Collection.
Order record for MF duplication only.
Paid: $655.75 (26 reels)
Paid: $91.50 (2 reels)
RECORD # = b15191850.

MF Neg. MF.
Liwa al-sadr [microform].
Tihran : Liwa al-sadr,
"Sawt al-thawrah al-Islamiyah fi al-Iraq."
Occasionally issued irregularly; occasional numbering irregularities.
In Arabic.
Microfilm. al-adad 48-375 (21 Nisan 1982-30 Tishrin al-Awwal 1988):[Gaps] Bethlehem, Pa. : Microfilmed for Middle East Microfilm Project, the Center for Research Libraries, by Preservation Resources, 2000. 7 microfilm reels ; 35 mm.
Center has:
MF-12237 MEMP (7 reels) no. 48-55, 57-58, 60-64, 66-67, 68, 70-78 (Apr. 21-June 9, June 30-July 21, Aug. 4-Sept. 1, Sept. 15-Oct. 6, Oct. 20-Dec. 29, 1982); no. 84-113, 115-130 (Jan. 26-Aug. 31, Sept. 14-Dec. 28, 1983); no. 131-180 (Jan. 4-Dec. 26, 1984); no. 181-214, 216-231 (Jan. 24-Aug. 28, Sept. 11-Dec. 25, 1985); no. 233-264, 266-282 (Jan. 1-Aug. 27, Sept. 10-Dec. 31, 1986); no. 283-329, 331-332 (Jan. 7-Dec. 6, Dec. 20-27, 1987); no. 333-375 (Jan. 3-Oct. 30, 1988).
Neg. MF-at lab.
Received: 02-14-00
Paid: $1118.07 (filming cost)
43846528.

al-Masa'.
Algiers, Algeria.
Center has:
MF-12304 MEMP (10 reels) 1991: Aug. 1-31, Oct. 2-Dec. 2; 1992: Apr. 7-Nov. 30; 1993: Jan.-Dec.; 1994: Jan.-May.
Part of LC Algerian Newspapers.
Must be sent to Memp for Cataloging.
Received: 08-01-2000
Paid: $2,473.68

MF Neg. MF.
Le matin [microform].
Alger : SARL/Le Matin,
"Quotidien d'information."
Microfilm. Oct.18-Dec.2,1991;May 28,1992;Dec.1,1992-Sept.30,1993:[Gaps] Bethlehem, Pa. : Microfilmed by Preservation Resources for Middle East Microfilming Project ; [Chicago, Ill. : Available from] Center for Research Libraries, 2000. 4 microfilm reels ; 35 mm.
Center has:
MF-12314 MEMP (4 reels) 1991: Oct. 18-Dec. 2; 1992: May 28, Dec.; 1993: Jan.-Sept.
Neg. MF-at lab.
Part of LC Algerian Newspapers.
Received: 08-02-00
Paid: $1062.18
44996908.

al-Nasr.
Sudan.
Center has:
MF-12305 MEMP (5 reels) 1993: Sept. 7-30, Nov.-Dec.; 1994: Jan.-Dec. 25.
Part of NYPL Sudanese Newspapers
Must be sent to MEMP for cataloging
Received: 08-16-00
Paid: $664.25

Son telgraf.
Son telgraf (Istanbul, Turkey : 1936)
Istanbul : Son Telgraf Matbaasi,
"En son telgraflari ve haberleri veren aksam gazetesi";
Copy for July 23, 1954 imperfect.
Center has:
1946: Apr. 5-8;
1950: Jan 1, 3-4, 7-14, 16-May 5, 7-27, 29-Sept. 6, 8-Dec. 31.1951: Jan.-Apr. 15, 26-30; May 6-7, 9, 11-12, 14-15, 22-Dec.;
1952: Jan.-Feb. 1, 3-15, 21-Mar. 5, 7-Apr. 1, 7, 10, 19; May 1, 3-June 21, 23-30; Aug. 18-Nov. 15, 17-Dec. 22, 24-30;
1953: Jan.-Feb. 6, 8-Mar. 16, 18-May 29; June-July 21, 24, 27-31; Aug. 2-6, 8, 11-15, 17-Sept. 26, 28-Dec. 31;
1954: Jan., Feb. 28-Mar. 19, 21-27, 30-Apr. 5, 7-11, 16, 23, 28; May 5, 7-8, 11-12, 15-19, 26-29, 31-June 2, 7-15, 17-July 17, 19-Sept. 8, 10-11, 13-30; Oct. 3-11, 13-18, 20-Nov. 10, 12, 14-30; Dec. 6, 13, 29;
1955: Jan. 1-2, 5, 8-9, 11-13, 17, 22-24, 26-27, 29-30; Feb. 2, 5, 7-8, 11, 15, 18, 21, 26; Mar. 1-7, 9-19, 21-31; Apr. 9-10, 13, 18-21, 23-26, 28, 30- May 7, 9-13, 16, 20-23, 28-29, 31-June 2, 4-9, 11-July 9, 11-14, 16-28; Aug. 3-20, 22, 24-26, 28-31.
Crl supplied hd cpy. Memp filmed. MF replaces hd cpy.
Received: 09-20-00
Paid: $1875.51
12121489.

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