Thursday 22nd June, 2000
Resource, 19-29 Woburn Place, London WC1

Present:
Philip Payne (Chair), Maurice Wakeham, Noeleen Cookman, Alan Cooper, Pat Gannon-Leary, Juliet Eve, Carolynn Rankin, Isobel Thompson

Apologies:
Linda Banwell, Liz Hart, Clare Nankivell, Judy Palmer, Biddy Fisher, John Sumsion, Ros Cotton, Bruce Madge, Judy Palmer

1) Minutes of the last meeting

Accepted

2) Matters arising

a) Future strategy of group Members of LIRG - especially those belonging to neither LA or IIS - to be consulted about feelings with regard to relationship with new professional body. PP had spoken to Brian Clifford, President of IIS and member of Implementation Working Group. PP to approach David Wigglesford, Chair of Working Party looking at future of special interest groups (SIGs) and Organisations in Liaison. Pros. and cons. of becoming a SIG to be written up in a paper for discussion at November's meeting following discussions on committee mailing list and LIS-LIRG. Paper to form the basis of what will go to AGM - will decide in November whether Committee makes any recommendation. Members to be encouraged to attend AGM - early announcement to be made that this discussion will take place AC to provide PP with list of contacts for informal soundings from similar groups. BF to be consulted about financial implications of becoming a SIG.

b) Shepherd report Brief response document drawn up by BF circulated This was not sent as JS advised it was too late to do so However, it may be of use as basis of a response to the new ReSource manifesto. Concerns expressed about loss of BNB Research Fund.

3) Committee & Officers

BF has agreed to become Vice Chair. She will continue as Treasurer until March. Respective roles of Chair and Vice Chair to be worked out between BF and PP. PP to invite Eric Davies onto Committee following expression of interest at AGM. Other possible co-options were also considered.

4) LIS research portal

This item was brought forward since MW had to attend the Web Gateway Ad Hoc Steering Group meeting - agenda, policy statement & list of links to potential sites circulated LIRG role envisaged in development and management of editorial policy Comments made on list of links, exclusions. MW prepared to take lead in this at present and report back on progress via mailing list.

5) LIRN

JS has full set of articles for summer issue that will go to press mid July for delivery mid August. Positive feedback from group on last issue. Brief discussion of future input - conference reports, synopses of and references to journal articles, research portal information.

6) Awards and prizes

NC is sending press notices out for forthcoming prize/award entries. Photographs of presentations at AGM will go to professional press Judging panels decided for Elsevier (PP, IT, PGL adjudicating) and Undergraduate prizes (JE, CR, PGL adjudicating) BM has had no response to attempts to obtain sponsorship

7) Events

i) Effective Academic Library 3 one-day seminars

a) Benchmarking/performance indicators (November) - venue = Staffordshire. LH has agreed to lead

b) Impact on Learning, Teaching and Research (May) -Some preliminary work done - handout circulated. PP to take lead.

c) Effectiveness in electronic environment. Possible speakers and organisers suggested. Not progressed.

ii) Museums Research deferred for now

iii) Research Methods
March/April 2001 suggested. Consultation to take place with two Davids, date to be firmed up, venue arranged (Action:PP) BF/PP will need to set fee. Must minimise financial risk to LIRG. Long lead times important + ensure that we achieve viable attendance levels. CR will publicise.

iv) Copyright
AC suggested that a seminar on copyright - number of projects currently being undertaken including work for Elsevier Award by Elizabeth Gadd. Suggested that ED might be interested in being involved.

v) Annual lecture
2001 Lynne Brindley as possible speaker. PP will contact. Chris Meed at Book Trust may be alternative. Venue possibilities - OU conference centre, LSE, ULU. NC will investigate possible venues for meetings and events in London.

8. Web pages

NC and AC met with Steve Jones, designer. Table of pages circulated and site templates and colour schemes viewed. Committee members agreed to take responsibility for various files and send files to AC/NC by end of August. To be launched around November (bid to LA has to be in end of August- action BF.)

9. Finance

Reasonably OK at present because of subscriptions income. BF to make recommendations for subscriptions rates for 2001 via mailing list.

10. Marketing

Website should assist with this - leaflet to be 'refreshed'. Leaflet to be generic with targeted inserts (Action: CR) Professional press, events, conferences to be targeted for LIRG publicity (Action: CR). It was suggested that we could contribute to next year's Under One Umbrella (to be considered in November) or disseminate publicity at the IFLA Conference.

11. AOB

Date of next meeting 30th November, 2000. Venue, Resource, Woburn Place, London WC1