DC/SLA Chapter Notes - November 1998

Chapter Notes November 1998

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Vol. 58, No. 3 November 1998 Contents Holiday Cocktail Buffet President's Corner Call for Nominations From the Board....

Candidates needed for 1999-2000 Member News Global 2000 kick-off fundraiser Global 2000 Raffle The Revival of the Ancient Library of Alexandria and the Role of the International Community Holiday Cocktail Buffet Date: Wednesday, December 16 Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Place: Historic Arts Club of Washington 2017 Eye Street, NW Washington, DC Join us for beverages and a light supper in a fabulous gallery featuring Washington-area artists' finest works -- many available for purchase.

Sponsored by EBSCO Subscription Services RSVP by December 9 to: Mandy Baldridge, Telesec/CORESTAFF, 11160 Veirs Mill Road, Suite 414, Wheaton, MD 20902.

Questions? Email: mbaldridge@telesec.com Name: __________________________ Organization: ____________________ Address: _________________________ ___________________________________ Phone: ________________________ telexed:________________________ Cost: SLA member - $30 SLA student/retiree member - $15 Non-member - $35 This is my first DC/SLA event ______ Please make checks payable to DC/SLA Return to contents

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The President's Corner

By Daille Pettit, DC/SLA President, dpettit@ahma.com What is Global 2000?

There's been a lot in Chapter Notes recently about the Washington, DC/SLA's Global 2000 fundraising activities, and I've mentioned the project in my previous columns. You may be wondering, however, just what is the Global 2000 project?

First, I'd like to give you some of the history of our support for the Global 2000 conference. In the fall of 1997, Sue O'Neill Johnson, who works closely with librarians from developing countries in her position at the World Bank, approached the board of DC/SLA to try to find a way for special librarians in the Washington area to support these individuals. Two of us were assigned by the 1997-1998 DC/SLA President, Ellie Briscoe, to investigate how our chapter could lend a helping hand in a practical and meaningful way.

In our preliminary discussions, the idea came to us to send librarians from developing countries to SLA's Global 2000 conference, scheduled for October 16-19, 2000, in Brighton, England. It seemed like a very feasible project, plus we would have two and a half years to prepare, raise money, and identify worthy candidates.

We determined that librarians from developing countries could benefit from the objectives of the conference: 1) To cooperatively seek solutions to common [international] problems; 2) To expand networking opportunities.

3) To provide a learning environment that is open and non-threatening.

4) To establish a global alert system among participants that will build and strengthen SLA's international presence. Source: http://www.sla.org/conf/2000web.html With our report in hand, in December 1997, the DC/SLA board approved an ad hoc International Development Committee, with Sue Johnson as its chair. Our first meeting was in January 1998 at SLA headquarters. There were six members present, including Fred Casey, assistant executive director of SLA. At our next meeting, there were nine participants. The committee has grown exponentially since.

The committee now has subcommittees for special events, outreach, public relations, hospitality, selection, and mentoring. Check out our web page at http://www.sla.org/chapter/cdc for more information about the International Projects committee and Global 2000.

Our kick-off event will be our fundraiser on Tuesday, November 17, 6:00 p.m. at the Freedom Forum. Please join us at that event and learn even more about the Global 2000 project. See you there!

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Call for Nominees!

The Special Libraries Association has issued a call for nominees for the following awards:

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Fellow; John Cotton Dana; Hall of Fame; President's Award; Honorary Member; Professional Award; Innovations Award; Rose L. Vormelker Award.

Deadline for submission of award nominees is December 4, 1998. If you have any suggestions for worthy candidates from the Washington DC/SLA chapter, or would like more information on the awards program itself, please contact Awards Committee Co-chair Roger Haley, 202/546-1776, rogerhaley@aol.com or Rick Davis, 202/624-7117, rdavis@uli.org.

Return to contents From the Board...

On September 8, 1998 the DC/SLA Chapter Board met at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Board approved the appointment of Susan Kimball as the new Membership Co-Chair. The Nominating Committee was also approved and will begin recruiting candidates. The election process will be held earlier in 1999 than in past years so the new Board members can plan ahead for the transition.

Upcoming programs: SLA President Suzi Hayes and SLA President-Elect Susan DiMattia accepted invitations to the New Members' Reception at Union Station.

On November 17, the International Projects Committee will host the Global 2000 Kick-Off at the Freedom Forum in Arlington. Fred Casey will be the speaker discussing the Global 2000 conference.

The holiday party will take place at the Arts Club of Washington DC and on March 6, 1999, the DC/SLA will hold a Career Day event at Catholic University.

Chapter Web site: Officers and committee chairs should fill in any blank descriptions for their positions on the Web site, and the list in general will be updated with this year's names. Chapter events and programs will be posted on the Web site.

Contact Laura Foy, Recording Secretary, for a complete copy of the minutes. She can be reached at 202/296-2920 or labuy@msn.com.

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Candidates needed for 1999-2000 In February, the Chapter will hold elections for the 1999-2000 term. Have you considered volunteering or do you know someone who would make a good leader for the next millennium? The positions open are: 1st Vice President/President Elect; 2nd Vice President; Treasurer; Corresponding Secretary; Director.

Contact Kee Malesky at kmalesky@npr.org or 202/414-2356.

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Member News Georgetown University's Business Reference Librarian, Jennifer Boettcher, is the co-author of the new book Key Business Sources of the U.S. Government. This source updates Business Serials of the Government (1988), a basic reference tool held in all types of libraries.

The book is designed to help any researcher in searching for business and economics sources from the world's largest publisher, the federal government. The 200 sources discussed in the book cover communications, economics, finance, international business, labor, manufacturing, natural resources, taxation, and other relevant fields. The annotated listing includes books, serials, CDROMS, microforms, and Internet sites key to doing business research.

The book is from RUSA and is $21.95 for non-members. To order, please call 800/545-2433 and press 7 (item number 79491).

Jennifer Boettcher's presentation for the First International NAICS Users' Conference, "NAICS: Challenges and Opportunities" is available on the Unofficial NAICS Clearinghouse: http://www.library.georgetown.edu/swr/business/naics.htm Return to contents

Global 2000 kick-off fundraiser Date: Tuesday, November 17 Time: 6:00 - drinks 6:30 - dinner Cost: $30 - members $35 - non-members $15 - SLA student/retired members Price includes wine, soft drinks & buffet dinner Place: Freedom Forum 1101 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA Rosslyn Metro Stop Speakers: Assistant Executive Director for Programs and Development Fred Casey and Washington Post Reporter Annie Groer of the column, "The Reliable Source." Annie will speak on "Why you have books in the library about things your mother would not let you do!"

Co-hosted by DC/SLA and the Freedom Forum Due to the generosity of the Freedom Forum, all money raised at the event goes to the International Projects Committee Fund to send librarians from developing countries to the Global 2000 meeting in Brighton, England in October, 2000. Our Chapter's goal is to raise $15,000 in this effort.

First 100 reservations taken. If you are unable to attend the dinner, we'd appreciate any financial support you can contribute.

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-------------------------------------------------------------------Please return this form with your reservation. Send check to: DC/SLA, c/o Mandy Baldridge, 11160 Viers Mill Rd., Suite 414, Wheaton, MD 20902. B questions, mbaldridge@telesec.com Name

__________________________________

Organization _______________________________ __________________________________________ Address ___________________________________ ____________________________________ Phone ________________________ B

______________________

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Global 2000 Raffle!

You may buy your raffle tickets at the Global 2000 dinner. If for some reason you can't come or the event is sold out, however, you may buy raffle tickets in advance. Just send a check to Zeina Mansour, 4849 Connecticut Avenue, NW Apt. #734 , Washington, DC 20008. Please state whether your tickets are to be placed in Section A or B drawings, or how you want the purchase divided between the two sections. Zeina will put the purchased tickets in the drawings for you, and notify and deliver your prizes if you win. The drawings will take place at the dinner (you do not need to be present to win).

Section A. All tickets are $5.00 1. One-year subscription to Disclosure's Global Access Internet Service comprising access to Disclosure's EDGAR, SEC Filings Index, Insider Trading Information, and Worldscope Co. Reports.

The list price for this service is $21,000 per year. Donated by Disclosure Inc. (This subscription service is donated on the condition that the winner must use it incrementally and cannot take a complimentary subscription to cancel an existing paid subscription.)

2. One-year subscription to the Worldscope Database via the new Dow Jones Interactive internet platform. Dow Jones will contribute their service free of charge for one year on the same terms as Disclosure. DJ Interactive with unlimited Worldscope use list price is approximately $20,000 per year. Donated by Disclosure Inc. (This subscription service is donated on the condition that the winner must use it incrementally and cannot take a complimentary subscription to cancel an existing paid subscription.)

3. Two economy class tickets on United Airlines, valid anywhere in the Continental United States.

21 day advance notice and a Saturday night stay will be required. Major holiday blackouts will apply. Sponsor: Champion-Kail Travel Section B. All tickets are $1.00 1.Blue Egyptian Cotton Kaftan in a gold, navy and rust designs, long (size 12-14). Brand new.

Donated by Zeina Mansour 2 Black Egyptian Cotton Kaftan in lotus Flowers, red, gold and blue designs, long (size 12). Brand new. Donated by Zeina Mansour

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3. Hand painted, and signed Papyrus: Hieroglyphic Alphabet with Arabic & English letters. The Papyrus is rolled in an Egyptian designed tube.Donated by Zeina Mansour.

4. 3 available: Microsoft Natural Keyboard elite. Designed for your comfort. Works with all Windows and MS-DOS operating systems. Donated by Microsoft.

5. A complimentary set of the Dow Jones Guide to the Global Stock Market.This is a 3 book set of information on Markets and Company's done in conjunction with Worldscope. Retail value $40.00.

Donated by Disclosure.

6. Be a REAL underground librarian. Take a tour underground to a "wild" cave in nearby W. Virginia. "Wild" means...no sidewalks, no electricity, no teenagers trying to convince you that a stalagmite looks just like the empire state building. You must be in moderate physical condition, and not afraid of the dark or small spaces. The adventure will last approximately 4 hours. All equipment (except for 4, D cell batteries) can be provided. Up to six persons can be accommodated." Donated by Patricia Cronin.

7. 1987 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet. A beautiful and fully mature wine, rated 98 out of 100 points by renowned wine critic Robert Parker. A classic. Retail value: $100.00. Donated by Joannie Cornwell.

8. Van Gogh catalog. Retail price, $37.50. Donated by Roberta Geier.

9. 5 copies: "Architecture in Hawaii: a chronological survey"(attractive coffee table book) donated

by Christina.

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The Revival of the Ancient Library of Alexandria and the Role of the International Community

by Zeinab Mansour (mansour@odc.org)* It was September 3, 1998. I was standing at the site of the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the reincarnation of the ancient library of Alexandria. I reflected on its majestic design overlooking the Mediterranean sea. Suddenly, I transcended time. It was now the 3rd Century BC, the time that marked the creation of the ancient library. That library was built on a site near the famous lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The quest to create a center of cultural and civilization attracted much attention that much of the ancient world felt compelled to be involved in this unique endeavor to collect "all the books of the world" and "writings of all nations."

The main objectives of the ancient library were to collect, disseminate, translate, copy, and store books. The library contained research halls, marble fountains, and colonnades, and botanical gardens. The great library held an estimated 700,000 listed and classified manuscripts on papyrus rolls. Its college of scholars caused the library to be considered the ancient world's finest university. For many centuries, the legendary library was the ancient world's mecca for scholars, researchers, philosophers, poets, historians and scientists--until it met its tragic fate in 48 BC. Back to 1998, following my fascinating journey to the ancient world, I took another look at the magnificent design of the new library. The complex forms a simple circle inclined towards the sea, partly submerged in a pool of water. This image of the ancient Egyptian sun conveys the library's intention to illuminate the world and human civilization.

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In order to recreate the spirit of the ancient library's intellectual and scholarly achievements, an international effort was instituted by the Egyptian Government, UNESCO and other donors to revive the ancient library of Alexandria. In 1987, UNESCO launched an international appeal urging "the people of all countries to participate, by means of voluntary contributions in cash, equipment or services." in order "to reconstruct and equip the library of Alexandria, constitute and preserve its collections and train the requisite personnel." The response of the international community was tremendous in terms of both monetary and in-kind contributions.

In order to gain a better understanding of the mission, role and collections of the new library of Alexandria, I conducted a personal interview with Dr. Mohsen Zahran, Executive Director of the General Organization of the Alexandria Library (GOAL). Dr. Zahran stated that the main objective of the New Alexandrian Library is to establish a public research library with holdings designed to stimulate the cultural heritage of Egypt, the Middle East, the Mediterranean region and Africa, while meeting the challenges of the 21st century. The library will play a vital role in furthering cooperation not only between the countries of the Mediterranean region but also between the international community of the East and West.

The resources will include 200,000 titles by the time of the library's inauguration. They eventually hope to obtain eight million volumes and between 1,500 to 4,000 newspapers and periodicals.

Multimedia holdings will include 10,000 to 50,000 slides, tapes, CD-Roms, and videos, 10,000 to 50,000 manuscripts and rare books and approximately 50,000 maps.

Dr. Zahran indicated that the complex will house the main library, a library for the blind, and a youth library.

The complex will also contain the Alexandria Conference Center (3500 seats), and a Science museum, planetarium, calligraphy museum, Alexandria museum, restoration and conservation laboratory, bookstore and cafeteria. Dr. Zahran also pointed out that one significant aspect of the library will be the International School of Information Studies (ISIS).

In meeting the challenges of the information age, the library will be fully automated. The Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs), links to international databases, and internet access will be available.

The library in Alexandria, Egypt

The New Bibliotheca Alexandrina is scheduled to be open in the Fall of 1999. It has many friends associations all over the world to help meet its goals through voluntary work.

The reincarnation of the ancient library was once only a dream. But now, as I have seen firsthand, that dream has become a reality. It is just like the legendary phoenix that has risen from its ashes. * The author is the librarian at the Overseas Development Council, an international policy research institute based in Washington, DC. The article will be published in the newsletter of the Cultural & Educational Bureau of the Embassy of Egypt.

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