   
Section of Art Libraries
Medium Term Programme 1998-2001
Scope
The Section endeavours to represent libraries and organizations concerned with all formats of textual and visual documentation for the visual arts, including fine arts, applied arts, design and architecture. The Section strives to improve access to information about these subjects for users of independent research libraries, museum libraries, art libraries attached to educational institutions, art departments within national, college, university and public libraries, government departments and agencies, libraries in cultural centres and other collections of art information. The Section is also concerned with the creation, study and enjoyment of the visual arts through these libraries and with the encouragement of activities of national and regional societies of art librarians and visual resources curators. It provides an international forum for the free exchange of information and materials on art, the continuing education of art librarians and furthers the aims of the core IFLA programmes.
Goals for 1998-2001
- Goal 1
Share information and expertise on art libraries' collections, publica-tions, databases, networks, union lists and activities.
- Actions:
- 1.1 Produce two Newsletters per year detailing information (May and October 1998 and 1999).
- 1.2 Organise a minimum of one Workshop and one Open Session for IFLA general conferences focused on the general conference theme but applied to the specific realities of visual art librarianship (Amsterdam 1998, Bangkok 1999).
- Goal 2
Extend the reach of the Section's effectiveness as an interna-tional forum of information for art and visual librarians by means of publications, conferences and personal contacts.
- Actions:
- 2.1 Publish the papers given at the IFLA conferences Amsterdam 1 98 and Bangkok 1999 as speedily as possible in INSPEL or the Art Libraries Journal as agreed with both journals (within six months of each conference). (See also 3.1)
- 2.2 Make links between the entries for individual libraries in the electronic Directory and their Websites where they exist. In addition make a link to national online directories which contain more information than the high level metadata contained in the electronic Directory (methodology to be agreed by Amsterdam 1998, links completed by Bangkok 1999).
- 2.3 Investigate the possibility of creating an online database containing biographical information on artists born after 1950 (by Amsterdam 1998). If feasible create and agree a basic format to be used by all information providers (by Bangkok 1999). Begin to build the database after Bangkok 1999. If not feasible investigate the possibility of setting up a site with links to already existing databases.
- 2.4 Investigate the feasibility of creating a bibliography of thesauri used in art librarianship in as many languages as possible (by Amsterdam 1998). If feasible devise a question-naire and mail to individual countries (by Bangkok 1999). Key-in data (by Jerusalem 2000).
- 2.5 Investigate the possibility of creating a 'Notes and queries exchange on the World Wide Web in which art reference librarians can ask and answer difficult questions (by Amsterdam 1998). If feasible set up such a page by as soon as possible afterwards.
- Goal 3
Provide information about the work of the Section to those concerned with the documentation of art and so to promote membership in the Section in order to increase effectiveness.
- Actions:
- 3.1 Expand the Section of Art Libraries' presence on the Website. Publish Newsletter on Website simulta-neously with hardcopy publication (May and October 1998 and 1999). Publish conference papers on the Website as soon as possible after receipt.
- 3.2 Revise and expand the descriptive Brochure (by August 1998) ready for distribution at the Amsterdam conference. Secure funding and trans-late Brochure into all IFLA languages (by December 1998). Secure funding and mail Brochure to all libraries present on electronic Directory (by March 1999). Distribute Brochure to Chairs of all Art Libraries Societies (e.g. ARLISIANZ, ARLISINA, ARLIS/Norden, ARLIS/NY-lT, ARLISIUK & Ireland, CARLIS [Canada], BiArte [Italy], AKMB [Germany]). Distribute brochure to a wide audience in the art publishing world, e.g. art journals.
- 3.3 Appoint Working Group to look into what further information can be mounted on Web so that a proposal can be discussed at the Amsterdam 1998 conference. Mount descriptive brochure on Website. (See 3.2)
Action Plan 1999 - 2001
In general, the Art Section will continue to explore ideas to bring together useful tools for use of art researchers and artists. The Section will also try to collaborate with other groups within IFLA, especially in the areas of cataloguing, collection development and preservation.
The International Directory of Art Libraries on-line will continue to be updated, both with contact information, and with URL's for the libraries' Web page. The possibility of adding fields to describe a library's collection that doesn't have a Web page will be explored.
Working groups will develop plans for the documentation of contemporary artists; support the translations of the Art Section Brochure; and figure out how best to publish the additional language versions of the Multilingual Glossary on-line.
The IFLA Art Section mailing list has been developed to carry on communications during the year. It is being maintained by the staff of the Gulbenkian Foundation Library.
National reports of art librarianship in all the participating countries will continue to be solicited and published in the section's newsletter. These reports serve as a state of the art report on activities, associations, and projects in different countries.
Topics for next year's sessions:
- sion - 'Cataloguing ephemera in the art library: towards integrated access'. Sub-topics include artists files, cataloguing standards, and integrated access.
- Workshop - 'Art reference in the digital age'. Sub-topics electronic reference, user training, library staff education, and providing access through on-line cataloguing.
Jeannette Dixon and Geert-Jan Koot
Chair and Secretary, IFLA Section of Art Libraries
September 1999
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