Kansas Government Documents Roundtable Meeting Minutes

October 15, 2004

 

Present:  Cynthia Akers (Emporia), Roger Anderson (KU), JoAnne Beezley (PSU), Cheryl Canfield (Hutchinson Public), John Johnson (KSU), Jane Kelsey (KSHS), Debbie Madsen (KSU), Nan Myers (WSU), Cindy Roupe (State Library).

 

The group held a breakfast business meeting at the CULS Conference at Emporia State University on Friday, October 15, 2004. There was no K-Godort program.

 

The following was discussed:

 

  • Would it be desirable to hold a government documents conference annually that might have a multi state focus and include libraries from surrounding states such as Missouri, Oklahoma, and Nebraska? The focus of such a meeting might be on economic development. Should there be a charge for this? Nan said one venue would be the Metro Conference Center in Wichita, as there is impetus to increase use of this facility.  Nan will keep us informed of future developments on this topic.

 

  • Some dissatisfaction was expressed with the GPO presentation held at the July meeting.

Although a good discussion of the topics discussed was generated, it was felt that no real depth of new information was presented. Some of the topics of concern included problems with public access, uncertain data files, and the restoration of data on which the effort by GPO is way behind.

 

  • The Kansas State Plan needs review. It would be good for this to be done every couple

years. Presently there is no current plan. The Regional Librarian (Jeff Bullington) might want to consider appointing a review group.  Feeling was expressed that some things are being done in violation of the present state plan and Bob Walter, library directory at PSU has expressed interest in looking into this.

 

  • Nan reported that she is starting to develop a Kansas inventors database based on patent resources available at WSU.

 

  • Program topics for the upcoming Spring Tri-Conference to be held in Overland Park need to be developed. Some possible program suggestions included the U.S. Economic Census, the American Community Census, the Environmental Protection Agency, and government documents resources for children. Cheryl said that someone from Hutchinson Public might be interested in doing the resources for children.

 

  • A change in the by-laws has been proposed that would remove the requirement of holding a meeting at CULS. Because CULS and the Fall Depository Library Conference are scheduled so close together, attendance at both is an annual hardship for several Godort members. Debbie, Nan, and Jane volunteered to serve as an ad hoc group to draft this change to the bylaws.

 

  • Concerns were raised about the print on demand survey. Some of these concerned the lack of clarity as to what the survey meant, what the intention of it was, and where it had actually come from. The intent of the survey needs to be determined.

 

  • Jeff submitted a written report on the “Major Regional Activities for the Summer and Fall of 2004” which provides detail on developments in six areas.

 

  • Roger reported that the latest information provided by KLA showed that there were fourteen paid K-Godort members and the Roundtable’s account balance was $321.91.

 

  • Reports from the Selective libraries included:

 

    • KSHS (Jane). 220 folios of geological atlases had been found and are now being cataloged. These mainly date from the late 19th (1870’s) and early 20th centuries. These contain reports and many maps of significant value.
    • State Library (Cindy). They are now mainly waiting to find out who the new State Librarian will be.
    • ESU (Cynthia). They are now advertising for a new government information coordinator.
    • PSU (Joanne). They are currently short a librarian. The collection has now been moved and all is in order.
    • KSU (Debbie). Also short a staff member right now.
    • Hutch Public (Cheryl). Following move, publications will be offered.
    • KU (Roger). Gave an overview of changes that had and are occurring in documents as the result of reorganization and integration of documents services into general library services.

 

It was decided that the next meeting will be on Friday, January 28, 2005.  Nan offered to host the meeting at WSU. Debbie will be sending out an agenda later.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Roger Anderson

Secretary/Treasurer

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