PLASC Meeting Minutes 2025 January 15

Public Library Archives & Special Collections Section Meeting

Society of American Archivists

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 1pm PT/ 2pm MT/ 4pm ET

Friday, January 17, 2025 11 am PT/ 12pm MT/ 2pm ET

Agenda:

• Approval of December Minutes
• Survey
• March Coffee Chat - Date and Topic

Webex or Zoom access through SAA

• Blog update
• Microsite

No 1/15/2025 Meeting

(1/17/2025) Meeting Called: Meeting called 2:08EST

In attendance: Erinn Barnes, Aimai Reporter, Jill Tominosky, Catherine Tremblay

Approval of the December 18 & 20, 2024 Meeting Minutes Motion to approve: Catherine Approved / Seconded: Erinn Approved: 2:10PM EST

Survey:

Discussion: Erinn received 11 responses, which is relatively good—history dictates about 25 or less responses for surveys. Most responses for proposed topics are “Public Library Programming with Arch/Spec Collections”. Erinn is still interested in the “Certifications” topic and “Information Activism”. There was a write-in for “Exhibit Design”. We’ll leave it out for a couple more weeks and send reminders.

March Coffee Chats

Discussion: Catherine agreed that if people are excited about “Programs,” we should make that a priority topic for March. Erinn said she and a colleague could discuss pre- and post-COVID programming. We’re looking at Friday,

March 21 at 2PM EST, with the hope that we can get more attendees. Erinn will touch base with her colleague (Programming Coordinator). Let’s have some topics in our pockets in case it’s a quiet conversation.

WebEx or ZOOM access through SAA:

Discussion:  Erinn got some guidance from SAA about platforms to use. Need to figure out how to host our events for SAA folx. Catherine was curious about timing—an hour was the consensus. Catherine asked whether it will be recorded—we should be able to do so.

Blog/WordPress site:

Discussion: Erinn would like someone else to pick up the blog updates, as she can’t find the time. Aimai volunteered to assist—but after January. Do we want to request funding to upgrade our WordPress site so that it doesn’t have advertising? We would need to submit a proposal for approval.

Catherine volunteered to write a proposal if needed. We all reviewed the WordPress site together and noticed there weren’t any ads beside the WordPress ad at the top of the screen. The site is good for online discussion and connection—especially for those who don’t have an SAA membership or login. The microsite is more for short announcements/news, the WordPress site is more for articles and online exhibits. The WordPress site allows for longer posts, etc. We can share updates on list-serv, Archivist Think Tank (FB), etc. We decided that asking for funding isn’t necessary, that the site is good as-is.

Microsite:

Discussion: Erinn added the WebArchiving information to the site. No other updates. Erinn also attended the SAA Connect orientation on 1/16/2025, and said it was relatively helpful.

Next Meetings: 2/19/2025 and 2/21/2025 (1/15/2025) Meeting Adjourned:

(1/17/2025) Meeting Adjourned: 2:45PM EST