Friday, March 23, 2001, 7:00 p.m.
Sheraton Hotel, Chicago, Illinois

Attending:

The Meeting was called to order by Chair Raymond Lum

A. Introductions & New Members.

Brown University has joined SAMP, bringing membership to 31 institutions. Bill Monroe will be the representative for Brown.

B. Executive Committee Announcement.

New Members of the Executive Committee are:
Academic Representatives:
     Sumit Ganguly (Univ. Texas at Austin) - serves 2000-2002
     Rebecca Manring (Indiana University) - serves 2001-2003
Librarian Representatives:
     Bronwen Bledsoe (University of Chicago) - serves 2000-2002
     Mary Rader (University of Michigan) - serves 2001-2003 - Chair

C.  Administrative & Executive Committee Reports

1.  Financial Report / CRL Update (Simon)

SAMP Spent $11,699 last year, leaving a fund balance of $13,517. This year to date, SAMP has spent very little, with a current fund balance of $28,318. Commitments to projects total $18,058. Right now, SAMP has $7,092 to use for new projects, and billing for the next fiscal year happens soon, adding approximately another $8000 for project consideration.

There have been few receipts of SAMP material lately, in part due to inactivity of projects and in part due to the lack of fiche supplied by Library of Congress. Recent receipts include 10 years of Kaiser-i-Hind and a deposit of “United India and Native States” from the Smithsonian (at the request of Irene Joshi).

SAMP’s Web page continues to expand, with the provision of the financial report and increased information on the SAMP collection. Examples include the Land Settlement Reports and the Archaeological Survey of India holdings. We welcome suggestions for additions.

We received issues of Tribune (Lahore, Pakistan) from Ames Library to fill in gaps of the holdings filmed by SAMP.

2.  Report of the Chair (Lum)

SAMP has been operating on “cruise control” for some time. The members need to take charge of the projects they have proposed or volunteered to oversee. A number of projects have lingered for several years and need to be completed (or tabled).

It was Lum’s opinion that a two-year tenure as Chair may be too short to enact any real progress. SAMP should consider making it a longer term of office.

3.  Microfilming of Indian Publications Project (Nye)

The Government of India failed to release funds for MIPP. The Library of Congress has continued to film some projects. The number of titles filmed now approaches 23,000 - almost half of the titles listed in the NBIL. This is remarkable progress since 1990.

In essence, the project has concluded. The GOI has demanded that the name of the project be surrendered. The staff of the project is no longer considered MIPP staff. Subas Biswas has left L.C.-Delhi. [The Chair reported that Biswas is now working with Norman Ross.] Nye proposed a formal recognition of appreciation in the form of a plaque to read:

The South Asia Microform Project expresses its whole-hearted gratitude and indebtedness to Mr. S C. Biswas for his able leadership of the Microfilming of Indian Publications Project from 1990 through 2000.

Action: Approved by Membership.

Nye also urged that the project to complete the filming of titles in the NBIL continue. Many libraries hold the remaining titles, and SAMP should examine alternatives to complete the collection. One possible way is to allow the newly created Center for South Asia Libraries (CSAL) to continue the project.

SAMP recognized Nye’s efforts to date to complete this project and urged persistence.

On a related topic, Nye noted that each language section of the NBIL has a category for Reference Materials. These materials may be good candidates for digitization under DSAL. The material includes biographies, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and the like. There should not be any copyright problems mounting this material (as determined by LC review of copyright restrictions). SAMP members suggested that this material be carefully vetted, as some material may be considered too general a resource, rather than South Asia specific. Also, some of the material may be more useful in their later editions than those listed in NBIL.

D.  Reports on Current Projects

1. Bene Israel Titles (Nye)
   1. No action in the last year. Nye has a list of titles and will work with Alan Grosenheider in moving this forward. Simon asked that the original proposal be forwarded to him for more information.
2. Dastan-I Amir Hamza (Nye)
   1. No action. Nye has the list of missing material. LC Delhi is willing to help film (and splice?) the missing material into the collection.
3. Gadar Party Collection (McMahon)
   1. No action. Suzanne McMahon was unable to attend but reported (through Simon) that the list of titles to be filmed needed editing. She hopes to complete this by May and will send it out for review prior to filming. She intends to begin filming the unique and brittle historical periodicals.
4. Kaifiyats (Simon)
   1. No action. Simon needs more information on this material and contact information to proceed.
5. Kaiser-i-Hind (Simon)
   1. Progress has been made. SAMP has received 1890-1899 back from filmer, at a cost of ~$5000. At the same time, the International Coalition on Newspapers identified this title as one to film as part of its preservation program. In essence, their participation has cut in half the amount SAMP needs to commit to this project. The remaining years are at the filmer and should be available within the next year.
6. Sukumar Sen manuscripts (Manring)
   1. Rebecca Manring has recently returned from Calcutta and reported on the filming of manuscripts in the Sen collection, utilizing SAMP’s portable camera. The Sen family has conveyed their gratitude for SAMP’s sponsorship of the project. Manring reported that house repairs revealed almost twice the number of manuscripts in the collection (bringing the total to 971). These manuscripts (a collection of published and unpublished works recognized as some of the most important works of Bengali vernacular literature) needed to be cataloged, prepared, targeted, and filmed, increasing both the time and the cost to complete the project. The material was protected "only by dust," so Manring personally packaged the manuscripts after filming to further protect them. Manring will issue a more detailed report of the Sen collection filming progress and share pictures of the project.
   2. SAMP thanked Rebecca for her intense effort to complete this, and urged that the report include lessons learned and tips for future projects.

E.  Pending/Developing Projects

1. Nepali Newspapers (Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya) (Magier)
   David Magier related the history of the collection at the MPP, stating that the filmers were able to produce original negatives but not duplicate the film. They were able to store the negatives well, but in the absence of being able to use them, the impetus for the project faded. The filming is good quality, as tested by LC.
   • The proposal for this project is complete (and was distributed to the membership for consideration). SAMP can use the duplicators at RMRL in Chennai, who will make print negatives for MPP and SAMP, as well as positive use copies. At the same time, RMRL can digitize the materials for eventual use by DSAL.
   • Magier added that the proposal called for additional money to be deposited with MPP to continue the filming of their collection. This can evolve into a longer cooperation between MPP and SAMP.
2. Official Publications of India (Nye)
   Under the South Asia through Official Eyes (SATOE) program , the British Library will be enumerating the holdings of this collection in order to determine which are duplicates and could be provided for filming. Perhaps by next year we will have a list to consider.
3. Selections from the Native Press. (Lum)
   Lum had received no response from a letter sent to Bill Kniffen. The position formerly held by Carol Mitchell will be posted soon, after which we can take up this issue with the new S.A. bibliographer. [ed. note:  Bill Kniffen subsequently replied that he would welcome cooperating with SAMP for filming the remainder of the materials, but lacks sufficient information to identify them. He requests SAMP to provide titles.]
   
4. India Land Settlement Reports (Simon)
   After “webbing” the list of holdings, Simon identified approximately 71 reports in the British Library catalog not held by SAMP. These include titles that were restricted by copyrights at the time of acquisition. Simon has contacted BL for a price estimate to purchase film of those available (29 titles) and look into filming those that have not yet been preserved. SAMP members indicated approval to continue.
5. New Proposals.
   1. Annual of Urdu Studies <Annual of Urdu Studies proposal>
   2. Mahfil / Journal of South Asian Literature [film purchase] <Mahfil / Journal of South Asian Literature proposal>
   3. Social Scientist (New Delhi) <Social Scientist proposal>
      (Moore)

For the purpose of discussion, these three proposals were treated as a group, as each title was proposed as part of a cooperative scheme with DSAL. Rebecca Moore proposed that SAMP film [or acquire film of] these titles. DSAL has secured permission to digitize these important serials, but would like SAMP to preserve them. The material would be scanned in Chennai (at very competitive rates) from the film.

A summary of discussion follows:

Don Johnson asked whether we may be circumventing JSTOR or other more mainstream providers of serials by offering these on DSAL. Should we encourage JSTOR to do them instead? Jim Nye responded that DSAL is a free resource, an important point of overseas users of DSAL who will most likely never use JSTOR. DSAL is also exploring models of cooperation with the aggregators, with any revenues from the material going back to the authors.

Merry Burlingham commented that these titles are widely held. They could be digitized now (from print) and filmed later if necessary. David Magier responded that we have an opportunity, through DSAL, to digitize via microfilm.

Avinash Maheshwary noted that from a strict preservation standpoint, these materials are not in current danger. Much is on good quality paper. Nye indicated that many of the early issues are becoming brittle.

Mary Rader commented that one issue at hand is the relationship between SAMP and DSAL. What is the effect of one on the other? What are the implications? This needs to be considered fully.

Lum proposed that SAMP delay consideration of these proposals while we examine the issues brought up here. The SAMP Executive [with Rebecca Moore] will explore the issues and report back to SAMP. Due to the time constraints placed on DSAL by the funders, a report should be made as soon as possible and the projects reconsidered.

Action: Deferred pending review of Executive Committee. Will report by CONSALD October 2001.

5. Brittle Bangladeshi Books (Bledsoe) <Brittle Bangladeshi Books proposal>
   These titles, from Tony Stewart’s collection, are very rare (not held in US) and quite brittle. They are printed in Perso-Arabic fashion (right to left) and cover subjects such as religion and literature. They will be cataloged by Chicago. The cost of the project would be approximately $634
   • Action: Approved by Membership.
6. Nepali Newspapers at MPP (Magier) <Nepali Newspapers at MPP proposal>
   See comments above. The cost of the [first phase of the] project is $7480.
   • Action: Approved by Membership.
7. Shab Khun (Magier)<Shab Khun proposal>
   Proposed by Fran Pritchett to Magier. Identified as the most important literary journal of Urdu. The collection will be compiled from holdings of CRL, LC, and Fran Pritchett. Cost $3878.
   • Action: Approved by Membership.
8. Second Portable Camera (Nye)
   Proposed from the floor, Nye suggested that a second portable Hirakawa camera is available from the same firm SAMP used for the first camera (purchased in 1998). This resource would be useful for additional overseas filming projects. Cost: $3500
   • Action: Approved by Membership.

The total amount of projects approved came to $15,492.

G.  Other Business

1. Bengali journals from the Center for the Study of Social Sciences (Calcutta). (Simon)
   Mentioned last year, we may be able to enact an exchange of film with this organization. There is a catalog of material available, and Rebecca Manring volunteered to examine and suggest a short list of titles to consider.
2. Purchase proposals to CRL (Simon)
   Also proposed last year, the SAMP Executive Committee will utilize the list of titles developed by the Newspapers subcommittee (distributed in 1996) to identify proposals to submit to CRL as part of its purchase proposal project. Members can request any large microform set as long as the cost is between $1000 and $20,000. Priorities are determined by ballot.
3. Other
   Don Johnson described a set of military and medical journals from the 19th century of English imprint. Would SAMP consider these? There was general interest, and Johnson was encouraged to develop a proposal.

The Meeting adjourned at 9:00.

Submitted by James Simon

SAMP - Received
March 2001

MF Neg. MF.
Kayasare Hinda [microform] = The kaiser-i-Hind.
Bombay : [s.n.,
Center has:
MF-12236 SAMP (10 reels) 1890-1899; LACKS: Apr. 16, Dec. 31, 1893; Jan. 7, Dec. 30, 1894.
Neg. MF-at lab.
Received = 03-28-00.
Paid: $4851.50
OCLC # 43855690.
RECORD # = b15089289.

MF
United India and Native States.
Madras : [Albinion Press], -1919.
MF [v. 17, n. 22-v.41 (1915-1941)] ; 11 r.
Received 10-18-00.
Received on deposit from Smithsonian Institution Libraries.
Title changes to United India and Indian States.
List of missing issues on first reel.
RECORD # = b15320042.

Recently Cataloged

MF-3066 Neg. MF-at lab
Confidential publications and Home political files / [selected by N.G. Barrier.]
New Delhi : National Archives of India, 1973
19 reels ; 35 mm
Title from container
Consists of two major series and two publications.
First series consists of Statements ..., Annual statements ..., Reports ..., Annual reports ..., Memoranda ..., and Notes ... on the press of various provinces; major British documents on the evolution, tone and background of the Indian press, ca. 1920-1945. Further background on the publications and discussion of the system, with particular reference to the Punjab, can be found in: Barrier, N. Gerald (Norman Gerald). The Punjab press, 1880-1905.
The second series consists of confidential reports on the Indian publications: Report on publications issued and registered in the provinces of British India, 1900-1920; and: Statistical tables and notes on publications registered under Act XXV of 1867 in the several provinces of British India, 1922-1945. Their comments and analysis of political and religious trends were considered so controversial that the publications did not circulate. Also included are two publications which were considered controversial and never released: Great Britain. India Office. Committee Appointed by the Secretary of State for India to Inquire into the Position of Indian Students in the United Kingdom. Report and minutes of evidence; and: India. Office of Accountant-General, United Provinces of Agra and Oudh. Note on the frauds committed
in the treasuries of the N.W. Provinces and Oudh
OCLC # 44476880
Individual items cataloged separately

MF-5768 Neg. MF-at lab, Z3208.L5. Ref. copy of guide
Popular literature in Hindi and Urdu [microform] / compiled by Francis W. Pritchett
Chicago, Ill. : Filmed by the Center for Research libraries for the South Asian Microfilm Project, 1993
21 microfilm reels ; 35 mm
Collection on microfilm of South Asian popular literature in Hindi, Urdu, and related dialects. Consists primarily of qissah (narrative "chapbook" literature) and nautanki (folk-opera) texts, as well as other indigenous folk genres in prose and verse published from the late 19th Century to 1978
In Hindi and Urdu
OCLC # 44177780
Detailed list of microfilm reel contents available in pt. 2 of guide with the same title shelved at Z3208.L5

FICHE Neg. FICHE-at lab SAMP, Z3208.L5 Ref. copy of guide
[Popular literature in Hindi and Urdu [microform] / compiled by Frances W. Pritchett]
[Chicago, Ill. : Filmed by Center for Research libraries for South Asian Microfilm Project, 1981]
752 microfiches ; 11 x 15 cm
OCLC # 44177796
Detailed list of microfiche contents (arranged alphabetically by author) available in pt. 1 of guide with the same title shelved at Z3208.L5

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