Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and TransgenderedHealth Science Librarians
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Transgendered
Editor: Sally Harver
UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas - Library
1. A few thoughts from your new editor (Sally Harvey)
2. Minutes of the business meeting in Philadelphia - May 1998 (Bill
Fleming)
3. Programming update for Chicago meeting - 1999 (Jerry Perry)
4. Request for submissions to the LGB HSL SIG website (Chris Shaffer)
5. Housing update for Chicago meeting - 1999 (Richard Klein)
6. Member news (Tony Gibbons)
INTRODUCTION OF NEW EDITOR By Sally Harvey (sharv1@mednet.swmed.edu) I am very happy and honored to be back involved with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Health Science Librarians Special Interest Group in an official capacity! I wish to thank my predecessors for their guidance and support with this new editorship endeavor. This has been a very busy fall for me on the personal and professional levels. I have accepted a new position at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the Information Services Coordinator. I have approximately two more weeks here in Dallas, and then my household (consisting of one partner and seven cats) and I will be on the move! I will be out of email touch for approximately two weeks in between positions. I will send my new contact information to the list as soon as I know it! I do intend to make this newsletter whatever you all would like it to be. Please feel free to send me submissions of all types. While I am not as intimate with Miss Batavia Downes as my immediate predecessor is, she will perhaps consent to making a guest appearance if given enough material with which to work. So, keep that in mind the next time I put out a call for submissions! Until we're in contact again, I look forward to serving as your newsletter editor, Sally MEETING MINUTES - BUSINESS MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA By Bill Fleming (bfleming@lib.rush.edu) Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Health Science Librarians SIG Medical Library Association Minutes from Business Meeting 27 May 1998 There were 29 people in attendance. * Meeting came to order at 7:30 a.m. * Those in attendance introduced themselves. * Co-chairs Jean Sullivant and Robb Mackes acknowledged the officers and volunteers who made significant contributions to the SIG throughout the last year: Bill Fleming Newsletter Editor Karen Zundel Program Chair Jerry Perry/Kate Benning Co-Convenors Anne Seymour Social Arrangements Richard Klein Local Accommodations Tom Flemming Membership Ann Farrell Listserv Bryan Vogh, Chris Shaffer WWW home page Emily Hull, Bill Karnoscak,Robb Mackes, Jolene Miller Mission Statement Committee * Karen Zundel reported that approximately 38 people attended the SIG program. She also reported that the program's speaker, Seth Kilbourn, was given a $200 honorarium. * There was no Treasurer's report. However, Karen Zundel reported that we started with $376. $100 was received by the Relevant Issues Section and another $100 was received by the History of the Health Sciences Section, giving us $576. Seth Kilbourn was given a $200 honorarium, leaving us with our original $376. There will be some reimbursement for travel expenses, but the amount was not known at this time. * Bill Fleming reported that there were 2 newsletters produced in the last year. He also wished good luck to the person who would be replacing him as Newsletter Editor immediately following the meeting. * There was no report for Social Activities, but the overall feeling was that, despite the somewhat slow service (which was voiced by one person), the restaurant was quite good, and all had a good time. * Bryan Vogh reported on the status of the web site on behalf of himself and Chris Shaffer. "It's great. Go there a lot." He talked about ways he and Chris were improving the site and working on publicity tactics. He thanked Tom Flemming for helping to keep the membership list up-to-date. Tom went over the policies of the "open" and "closed" lists for those who were somewhat new to the group. He also encouraged people who were new to contact him to have them put on a list, and encouraged those already on lists to make sure their information is correct. * The question came up for discussion whether or not membership in the SIG was dependent on membership in MLA. It was decided that anyone could be on the listserv, but the question as to whether or not the "official" line was to be a MLA member was not known. Karen Zundel commented that MLA is currently putting together a manual for SIG chairs that may answer this question. Jerry Perry reported that he was asked to be on a "SIG Committee" on Section Council. * Richard Klein presented his recommendations for lodging at next year's conference in Chicago. The Motel 6 in the River North area of the city (about 6 blocks from the convention site) is a renovated 'boutique' style hotel, like the Pacific Plaza in Seattle, only it has JUST been renovated and by all accounts is a pretty nifty place despite the "Motel 6" moniker (which would suggest something less than elegant). Brochures were passed out. The City Suites Hotel was also discussed, but they could not guarantee the number of rooms we needed. Those in attendance agreed that the Motel 6 accommodations would be fine. Richard is still working out the "breakfast" part of the deal (there may or may not be one). The rate is $91/night at present. He is still unsure of the 1999 rates. * There were three vacancies on the SIG's "board". Bill Fleming and Bill Karnoscak expressed an interest in sharing the responsibilities for the Social Arrangements, and Sally Harvey (in absentia) expressed an interest in taking over the newsletter. Both were unopposed and unanimously accepted. Bryan Vogh was persuaded that his energy and good ideas could best be utilized as Program Chair for the 2000 meeting. He eventually agreed, as long as he had a committee to help him. As of this meeting the "board" is as follows: * Jean Sullivant Co-Chair (Female) * Robb Mackes Co-Chair (Male) * Sally Harvey Newsletter Editor * Jerry Perry Program 1999 (Chicago) * Bryan Vogh Program 2000 (Vancouver) * Bill Fleming/ Social Arrangements 1999 (Chicago) Bill Karnoscak * Jerry Perry discussed his plans for the 1999 program. The Relevant Issues Section voted to support the SIG's programming initiative. The program will be a facilitated and participatory program dealing with diversity awareness. It will focus on all areas of diversity, not just being limited to LGBT issues. * The Mission Statement Committee presented its ideas for a mission statement for the SIG. A good deal of discussion took place regarding the wording. A revised draft of the document was sent back to the Committee for final thoughts/revisions. The finished product will be submitted to the membership again before it is placed on the SIG's web site. * Tom Flemming is on the National Programming Committee for the 2000 meeting. * Jerry Perry requested that the co-chairs draft a letter to MLA headquarters asking for a more proactive stance on recent legislation being brought forth in Congress concerning web-filtering software. PROGRAMMING UPDATE FOR CHICAGO MEETING - 1999 By Jerry Perry (jperry@ahsl.arizona.edu) Millennium Management: A Worklife Diversity Skills Workshop And now for something completely different, an interactive SIG/Section-sponsored official program at an MLA annual meeting! For the 1999 MLA Annual Meeting in Chicago, the SIG will be sponsoring *Millennium Management: A Worklife Diversity Skills Workshop.* This exciting session promises to be something both unique and useful; a program where participants will be actively involved with program presenters, building awareness and sensitivity skills regarding the myriad forms of diversity in the contemporary work place. Program Chair Jerry Perry is working with diversity leadership staff from the American Library Association to create a program that will focus on the development of new interpersonal diversity-related skills. Plans are evolving, so keep an eye on the SIG listserv, MEDLIB-L, MLANET and the MLA News for updates. SIG programming for the 1999 MLA Annual Meeting is being co-sponsored by the Relevant Issues Section, members of which have been long-time champions and supporters of the SIG. REQUEST FOR SUBMISSIONS TO OUR WEBSITE By Sally Harvey on behalf of Chris Shaffer (shaffer@uic.edu) Chris was quick to respond to my plea for newsletter submissions with a plea of his own. He would love to hear from SIG members with more additions and/or suggestions for the website. Possibilities include more subject bibliographies, assistance with the Resources page, or whatever the members think would be useful or interesting. Chris and Bryan have been doing a wonderful job of keeping our website up-to-date and interesting, but please consider lending them some assistance! HOUSING UPDATE FOR 1999 MLA CONFERENCE IN CHICAGO By Richard Klein (rklein@scholl.edu) It's Motel 6 for our MLA headquarters for May, 1999. We are holding a block of 20 rooms from May 13 until May 20. This Motel 6 is touted as a "boutique hotel;" reminiscent of the smaller, older European style accommodations which are actually quite alive and well in San Francisco. It is probably more in feeling like the Pacific Plaza in Seattle. But we are speaking now of Chicago. Formerly the Richmont Hotel, which had been renovated, Motel 6 took over the operation just a few years back. Located at 162 East Ontario Street, corner of St. Clair Streets, one block East of North Michigan Avenue....and about 5 or 6 blocks due north of the Hyatt, the MLA HQ hotel; a 15 minute healthy, though not terribly aerobic, flat, walk. On Michigan Avenue, there are buses to take you within a block of the hotel, e.g. # 151-but they tend to be slow, so walking is probably the better alternative. And cabs are easy to get in this area. This Motel 6 features include: 191 rooms on 16 floors.....all our designated rooms have 2 double beds, accommodating up to 4 people. Our SIG rate is $91.00, plus 14.9% tax or $104.56, nightly room rate. 4 people can be accommodated in the room at the same rate, using existing bedding. Motel 6 also features voice mail on all guest room phones, complimentary local phone calls, long distance dialed directly with calling card, no surcharge; TVs with remote control; cable-complimentary HBO/ESPN. Navy Pier is 6 blocks southeast, John Hancock Center, and the Water Tower Place is about 6 blocks north; and within a mile radius of the Chicago Loop, Merchandise mart, etc... Our breakfast situation is still to be determined. The adjoining, in the building, but not affiliated Coco Pazzo Restaurant does start serving a continental breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. But I am not sure if we can work out an included breakfast plan, as previous. Individuals may have to pay directly for breakfast. However, there are enough tables to "group" as we have done in previous meetings. There are some coffee shops and informal restaurants in the area and on the way to Hyatt. Reservations can be made direct to the hotel at 312-787-3580. Please advise the hotel you are members of the Special Interest Group. And you will need to guarantee your reservation with a credit card and expiration date. The room(s) will be held until 4 p.m. of the day of arrival, or first night's charge may be levied, if failing to cancel. (Sorry, there is no 800 reservation #) Motel 6 will accept checks for a deposit, but checks have to arrive at least 14 days before arrival. Again, it is always better to make your reservations earlier; you can always cancel or adjust as need be. Also, MLA is sandwiched between two very popular conventions including the National Restaurant Show, when the city sells out. So please make sure of your dates, as availability may be tight around the beginning and end periods. Our contract stipulates that rooms not picked up by April 13 will be booked only a space and rate available basis. Continental Transport has vans which take you from O'Hare or Midway Airports. At this date, it is about $16.00 to and from O'Hare airport and about $11 to $12 to and from Midway. Going back to the airport requires a phone call. A cab ride is about $30 to $35 at this time from O'Hare. Midway, perhaps $25 or so, at this time. MEMBER NEWS - UPDATE ON TONY'S WHEREABOUTS By Tony Gibbons In the last year I have changed jobs twice. In October 1997 I left my position as Reference Librarian at Kettering Medical Center in Kettering, Ohio to accept a job as an Application Analyst at Sanderson Computers in Columbus, Ohio 90 miles North of Dayton where I lived. The job allowed me to combine my technical expertise with my library experience to provide support for the Zebra 2000 Library Automation System. The job started out as technical support but soon grew to include training, installation, and sales activities. This past Summer I'm sure I hit every major library conference as an exhibitor. Traveling sounds glamourous but it gets really old really quick. In June of this year a professional contact gave my name to the technical support department at Information Dimensions, Inc. also a library automation vendor located in Columbus, OH. They made a really good offer to me that did not involve much traveling. So, before I could quite think about it, I accepted their offer. Information Dimensions was purchased by Open Text Corporation this year. Open Text is a market leader in corporate knowledge management solutions. My position is again an Application Analyst. I am primarily responsible for providing technical support to users of our library automation products, TechLib Plus - a character-based interface and Basis TechLib - a completely web-based automation system. This is an exciting time for me. I'm expanding my technical knowledge by leaps and bounds on a daily basis. I'm providing support for a state-of-the-art automation system. Also, in March of this year, exhausted by the commute between Dayton and Columbus, I moved to Columbus. So, in addition to the job changes, I am also getting used to living in a new place and learning about what exciting things the city has to offer. BTW, Columbus has been rated quite high on those lists as being the most gay-friendly city in the Midwest. Also, we are known nationally as having the largest concentration of lesbians in one zip code. Although my focus is moving away from medical libraries for the moment, I plan to attend the occasional conference and maintain my membership in MLA and, of course, the SIG. Well, that's it for the first issue of the newsletter for this academic year. Please send all comments, complaints or compliments to Sally at sharv1@mednet.swmed.edu - QUICKLY - before I start moving. Thanks, Sally
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