RBMS Manual / Organization / Discussion Groups
- Curators and Conservators
- Collection Development
- MARC for Special Collections
- Manuscripts and Other Formats
- Public Services Discussion Group
Discussion group leaders should refer to Information for Chairs of Committees, Task Forces, and Discussion Groups posted elsewhere on this Web site. To avoid excessive meeting conflicts, only four discussion groups meet during any ALA meeting. By mutual agreement, the discussion group that is not scheduled to meet may schedule a joint meeting with a discussion group that is meeting.
- Curators and Conservators not meeting Midwinter 2009, Annual 2011, Midwinter 2014, etc.
- Collection Development not meeting Annual 2009, Midwinter 2012, Annual 2014, etc.
- MARC for Special Collections not meeting Midwinter 2010, Annual 2012, Midwinter 2015 etc.
- Manuscripts and Other Formats not meeting Annual 2010, Midwinter 2013, Annual 2015, etc.
- Public Services Discussion Group not meeting Annual 2008, Midwinter 2011, Annual 2013, Midwinter 2016, etc.
Purpose: To add to the body of information on curator/ conservator relations and to encourage the education of curators and conservators about their respective professions; to provide a forum for discussion about topics of mutual interest; to identify, recommend, and facilitate creation of continuing education seminars through the Education and Professional Development and Seminars Committees; to publicize issues concerning curators and conservators by encouraging the publication of relevant articles in appropriate journals.
Comment: Has been meeting at least since June 1987.
Purpose: To provide an open forum for the discussion of collection development issues of relevance to rare book and special collections libraries; to encourage the presentation of seminars and the preparation of publications about collection development.
Comment: Statement of purpose approved by the RBMS Executive Committee on 12 January 2004. Held its first informal meeting at Midwinter 2004; its first official meeting will be at Midwinter 2005.
3. MARC for Special Collections
Purpose: To provide an open forum for presentation and discussion of any topic or issue which involves rare book or special collections cataloging, especially topics or issues which also involve automation.
Comment: Has been meeting since 1988.
4. Manuscripts and Other Formats
Purpose: To serve as an open forum for discussion about topics relating to the curatorial management of manuscripts, archival records, and other primaryresearch materials, usually in non-printed formats, including but not limited to photographic material, artwork, electronic records, and ephemera.
Comment: Statement of purpose approved by the RBMS Executive Committee on 6 February 1994. Has been meeting at least since July 1985.
5. Public Services Discussion Group
Purpose: To serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas on promoting the visibility and use of original research materials. Discussion will focus on a range of public service issues, including but not limited to, reference services and reading room operations, public outreach through instruction, exhibitions, and other programs, the integration of special collections programs and agenda into wider library or institutional goals, and the use of electronic technologies for reaching constituencies.
Comment: Statement of purpose approved by RBMS Executive Committee on 8 July, 1996. Held first official meeting at Midwinter 1997.