Present:

Andrea Singer, Chair (Indiana University); Elizabeth Darocha Berenz (Center for Research Libraries); Adnan Malik (University of California, Berkeley); Merry Burlingham (University of Texas-Austin); Allen Thrasher (Library of Congress); Nuzhat Khatoon (Library of Congress); Cynthia Talbot (University of Texas-Austin); Lisa Mitchell (University of Notre Dame); Rebecca Manring (Indiana University); Ganesan Sundar (Roja Muthiah Research Library, Chennai, India); Amar Gurung (Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya, Nepal); Donald Clay Johnson (University of Minnesota); Mel Thatcher (Genealogical Society of Utah); Philip McEldowney (University of Virginia); Aruna P. Magier (BAS & Columbia University); David Magier (Columbia University); James Simon (Center for Research Libraries); Mary Rader (University of Wisconsin); Bronwen Bledsoe (Cornell University); Raymond Lum (Harvard University); James Nye (University of Chicago); Gurnek Singh (Syracuse University); Fe Susan Go (University of Michigan); Avinash Maheshwary (Duke University)

Introductions were made. The minutes from the SAMP meeting in April 2005 were approved.

Report from the chair

Announcement: last year SAMP approved a $500 subvention to help produce the Sukumar Sen Manuscript Collection finding aid; that project has been completed – copies for SAMP members were brought to the meeting. SAMP members not in attendance will be invited via e-mail to request a copy from Jon Wilson (jwilson@aasianst.org.)

Financial report

Elizabeth reported on the SAMP budget; copies were distributed to members at the meeting. SAMP began Fiscal Year 2005 with $33,234.20 and ended the year with $51,077.75, which included a $10,000.00 contribution from Harvard University (allocated for MIPP 2). The latest data available for FY 2006 (as of February 2006) project SAMP having $13,173.20 in available funds at the close of the fiscal year.

GRN/ CRL report

James Simon reported on the Global Resources Network, which was transitioned to the Center for Research Libraries on January 1, 2006. The Global Resources Network will help to create a broader agenda for the Area Microform Projects and the GRN projects. In February there was an International Studies workshop at the Library of Congress, which consisted of the heads of the Area Studies projects and the GRN projects. Digital capture of materials was discussed; outcomes of meeting will be published online soon. CRL is looking at opportunities with digitization and born digital material, while considering the viability of microfilm as long term preservation medium of choice. CRL also recently participated in a website archiving pilot project with the Internet Archive.

New Executive Committee Election results

Edward Miner (University of Iowa) ran the elections with the assistance of Bronwen Bledsoe (Chicago/Cornell). The retiring executive committee members are Lisa Mitchell (University of Notre Dame) and Andrea Singer (Indiana University). The newly elected members are Cynthia Talbot (University of Texas-Austin) and Jim Nye (University of Chicago), who will begin their terms at the end of this meeting.

Developing/ New Proposals

Lucknow Records (Don Johnson)
This proposal was created in reaction to the experiences of a graduate student at Minnesota who had difficulty accessing these materials. This student has access to the chief police commissioner; may be able to get permission for SAMP to film. SAMP is interested in pursuing this project. It may be difficult to get access to this information; SAMP should first emphasize the preservation issues. Don Johnson will get more information about the project and report back to SAMP.

Bengali Manuscripts (Rebecca Manring)
The Hemendranath Palit Manuscript Collection contains materials that aren’t covered elsewhere. There are some complications regarding access to the collection. The arrangement proposed by the owners of the collection would set a precedent for SAMP and should be considered carefully. After some discussion, it was decided that Rebecca will discuss SAMP's general expectations regarding access to collections. The executive committee will continue the discussion online.

Native Press (Rader)
Mary Rader submitted a proposal to purchase the reels of microfilm that SAMP does not already have. The price went up 10-15% for SAMP rather than Wisconsin purchasing the titles. SAMP will check to see if it is available and cheaper to film from the holdings at the British Library. SAMP will purchase from the least expensive source, unless it is over $1000 (in that case, Rader will consult with SAMP).

Da’vat (Simon)
James Simon proposed filming this title from CRL’s holdings. Da’vat is an Urdu daily; the proposal includes January – December 1967, January – December 1970, and scattered holdings from 1969 and 1971. This title is not currently held by any institutions in OCLC or RLIN. The proposal was approved.

Jaminraitu (Mitchell)
Lisa Mitchell reported on this title. The most recent 2 or 3 years are available online. The material is owned by the publisher, and filming would have to be done on site. The portable microfilm cameras owned by SAMP are problematic in dealing with large-format materials. LC New Delhi has portable cameras available. This could possibly be a digital project for CRL. It was suggested (by Mary Rader) that this project should proceed by directly digitizing the newspaper, not digitizing microfilm. Ray Lum announced that Harvard has a large amount of gift money for South Asia; he wants to use it to create access for materials that have not been filmed. The purchase of a digital camera with this money may be possible. The Utah Genealogy Society may donate money to train operators for no-fee, except expenses. A subcommittee was formed for this initiative: Ray Lum, Jim Nye, Lisa Mitchell, Mary Rader, and CRL.

Nepali Newspapers V (Berenz/Gurung) (MPP)
This proposal consists of 20 reels selected for film duplication, which would cost approximately $3200 (James’s estimate), not including digitization. There are about 600 reels total available; some of these publications have ceased. 20 reels per year does not have to be a limit for this project. Currently there are 5 copies being made altogether (including master and print negatives) – this could be modified to 4 total, since we do not need an “archival” copy for SAMP. Jim Nye proposed making a master negative for SAMP, a master negative for MPP, a use copy for MPP and not make SAMP’s print copy until there is a request. James added that a rush request can be made in 3 weeks. In this way we can duplicate more reels at once. Amar was encouraged to re-submit the proposal factoring in more reels and fewer copies for duplication.

Current Projects

Asiatic Society of Bombay (Berenz)
At the last meeting, Jim Niessen proposed we fill in gaps of holdings from the Asiatic Society of Bombay. SAMP also recommended that we look into other society holdings as well. CRL will follow up on filming costs for the Asiatic Society of Bombay, up to the amount previously approved.

Bengali Newspapers from Columbia University
Proposal submitted by Bindu Bhatt, Columbia University.
Elizabeth reported that this project is in progress; the following titles have been sent for filming, as of March 2006:

Ajakera Samabaya (Oct. 1975-Sept. 1978)
Ganabamla (Feb. 1971, Feb.-March 1972);
Jayabamla (1972);
Saptahika Naya Duniya (July 1970-Jan. 1971)

These titles are filmed jointly on 2 reels of film.

Bombay Chamber of Commerce (Lum)
Ray reported agreement with the Chamber of Commerce to 1885. The project remains in development.

British Library Newspapers (Bledsoe)
The newspaper committee selected the Delhi Gazette from the list of available reels from the British Library (offered through Praxess). SAMP Acquired 100 reels of the set, with the remaining 21 reels picked up by CRL through its demand purchase program. The set covers 1837-1889.

CSSSC Duplication (Simon/ Sundar)
The report on this project was sent out in advance via email. The complete set of the Bangiya Sahitya Parishat Collection (325 reels) has been sent to RMRL for duplication. The remaining 252 reels include material in other collections held by CSSSC, including materials from the Konnagar Public Library, the Mohiary Public Library and a few private collections. Cataloging records are in process.

Dastan-i Amir Hamza (Nye)
Jim Nye reported that this week he expects to finish the final evaluation. There were less than 100 images that will require re-filming and splicing into the original film. The collection may be available and may be purchased. SAMP will have access to 2 sets that can be filmed from.

Eelekesari (Simon/ Sundar)
This project consists of one man’s archive: 2 cupboards of microfilm reels. This project was originally approved in 2002. Given the difficulties of the project and the fact that the owner wants to sell a complete set of the material, Jim Nye proposed this project be released. SAMP approved the release.

EPWAPDA Fortnightly Bulletin (Berenz)
Proposal submitted by Bindu Bhatt, Columbia University.
The EPWAPDA Fortnightly Bulletin (Dhaka, Bangladesh) has been sent to the filmer, and we are awaiting its completion. The film covers Vol. III, no. 18 – Vol. X, no. 22 (December 1, 1963-March 1, 1971).

LC Fiche update (Simon)
We are starting to receive fiche again from the LC photodup office. We are mostly receiving 2000-2001, and occasionally receiving 2004-2005 shipments. James can send a list of titles to any requestors.

Nepali Newspapers IV (Gurung)
This project should be finished by May.

Official Publications of India (Nye)
Documentation of materials is ongoing, should have holdings in a matter of months.

Rahbar-i-Dakan (Simon/ Sundar)
Filming of this title by RMRL is ongoing; we have 1925-1946. The problem is almost every page needs to be “mended”, which is taking a long time to complete.

Young Pakistan Weekly (Berenz)
Proposal submitted by Bindu Bhatt, Columbia University.
This project is in progress; we are awaiting additional holdings from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the University of Texas.

Pending Projects

India Land Settlement reports (tabled project)
An earlier list of additional reports identified that would supplement prior acquisitions was previously approved, but tabled. The committee revived this proposal and approved the acquisition of additional reports, up to $2000. Minnesota may have a list of available material, and there may be more reports out of copyright since the original proposal that we can identify. The group agreed to go ahead on this project.

Khyber Mail (Johnson)
Proposal submitted by Bindu Bhatt, Columbia University.
Johnson reported on this developing proposal. The material included is in fragile condition; what they have has already been filmed; project is no longer pending.

Other Items

Endangered Archives Report
Adnan needs to reapply for grant from Berkeley. The selection committee for the grant identified a sample of 10 titles from which to begin – geographically diverse samples, mix of religious and literature titles. Not looking at titles beyond 1947 because of copyright issues. Dates covered are mostly late 19th century to 1920s and 30s.

MIPP II/ DSAL Preservation (Nye)
It might be possible to apply for a grant now from the NEH. The applicant might have to be the Center for South Asian Libraries rather than SAMP. SAMP would still be recipient of the film produced.

LC Field Office Preservation Efforts (Mulgaokar)
LC has $20,000 of appropriated funds for LC New Delhi, only for raw fiche materials and chemicals for processing master negatives. Other money comes from the Preservation and Reformatting directorate. The bulk of filming is devoted to current serials. As a pilot study to determine the costs of shipping and filming materials from DC to New Delhi, Sri Lanka newspapers from turn of the 20th century have been filmed. In FY06 the office reserved money for microfilming and digitizing onsite sketches of temple drawings and newspaper clippings on Indian music. Microfilming has been finished for temple music and they are about to start other microfilming projects.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm.

Minutes submitted by Elizabeth Darocha Berenz.

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