Oklahoma Library Association
University and College Division Business Meeting
September 18, 2001  |  Guthrie Public Library

In Attendance: Ann Blakely—University of Tulsa, Chair; Cathy Blackman—Cameron University; Charles Brooks—University of Tulsa; Melissa Huffman—Rose State; Pat McCall—Tulsa Community College; David Oberhelman--Oklahoma State University

I.  Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 pm.  The minutes of the August meeting at Stillwater Public Library were accepted.

II.  May Workshop
Ann reported that she had not been able to reach Georgia Harper or Laura Gassaway about participating in a workshop on censorship.  Ann raised the concern with the group that with the current uncertainty about airline schedules and the industry it might be wise not to begin planning a workshop for this year centering around one out-of-state speaker.  We decided that we would try to secure one of the speakers for a workshop in Fall 2002.

Ann also indicated that she had contacted OCALD about a pre-conference on reassessing the organization to overcome problems created by staff shortages.  OCALD was interested but Ann had not heard back from them.  Ann talked to Sheila Johnson, Chair of the Administration Roundtable, about using Pat Wagner for a program conference on the employment crisis in libraries.  Pat was interested in staying for the duration of the conference and was willing to participate in other sessions.

The group decided that the topic of staff shortages and problems recruiting professional librarians in Oklahoma libraries would be a good topic for a workshop in May to substitute for the censorship topic.  We decided to focus the workshop on both the job seekers (interviewing techniques, “red flags” on resumes, etc.) as well as on recruitment efforts in different types of libraries.  We have set a tentative date of May 15 and will look into either the West Campus of Tulsa Community College or OSU-Tulsa as sites (Pat will look into the availability of the locations).  David will contact Debra Engel of the OU Library to address recruitment of librarians in both academic and public sectors.  Charles will contact Jan Keen of TCCL to find one of their human resources staff to discuss interviewing and resume tips for candidates.  Cathy offered to contact a representative from the OU Library School to talk about how the library school is preparing job seekers to enter the market.  We will continue planning the format and structure of the workshop at the next business meeting.

III.  Conference Programs
Ann told the group that she would turn in program planning forms for the Buried Treasures program (Barbara Bradley is handling the arrangements for this program), Pat Wagner’s program on the job market, and possibly the pre-conference with OCAULD.  The forms for the poster and paper presentations sessions have already been submitted.  David reported that two proposals have been turned in to date and added that all members should work with their institutions and other libraries to get as many libraries as possible to participate.  We then discussed possibly adding awards for the most outstanding presentations, but the criteria for judging would have to be developed.  Awards may be phased in for the 2002-2003 presentations.

IV.  Salary Survey
Cathy reported that she had received 31 responses to the survey and had given out a few new surveys to librarians present at the “Celebrating the Web” planning meeting.  Three of the institutions that responded had never sent in salary figures before.  We discussed how to report salaries for a 10- or 9-month appointment, but decided not to adjust the figures for a 12-month cycle so as not to inflate the reported salaries.

V.  Nominations Committee
Melissa reported that she would still like to receive suggestions for nominees.  The deadline for nominations will be in December.

VI.  “Celebrating the Web” Mini-Conference
Charles reported that the multi-division and committee planning committee for the Web mini-conference (July 30-31, Rose State College) had met at 11a.m. in Guthrie and had a productive session.  The committee had devised a schedule for the 1 ½ day event that would include 2 keynote speakers and 5 breakout periods during which there would be concurrent sessions.  UCD had elected to plan programs on electronic collections, e-books, licensing, and statistics on e-collection usage.  The group discussed having a speaker or panel of speakers to talk about consortial arrangements; suggested speakers included Ed Johnson, Beth Freeman, and/or Francene Fisk.  Sheila Johnson was suggested as a possible speaker on licensing agreements.

VII.  Adjournment and Next Meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.  The next UCD meeting will take place at the LRC in Rose State College, Midwest City, on October 16 at 1:30 p.m.  

Respectfully submitted,
David Oberhelman, Secretary