Annual Report (2001)
ARLIS NA:  Art Documentation

Submitted by Betsy Peck Learned, Past Editor
(in consultation with the new editors, Kathy Zimon and Tom Jacoby, and Eileen Markson and Joan Stahl)
elearned@rwu.edu
(401) 254-3625
(401) 254-3565 (Fax)

Editorial Team:

            Betsy Peck Learned, Roger Williams University, Editor

            Eileen Markson, Bryn Mawr College, Copy Editor

            Joan Stahl, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Review Editor

            Kathy Corcoran, Indexer

At ARLIS/NA Headquarters:

            Elizabeth Clarke, ARLIS/NA Executive Director

            Michael Birklein, Production Manager

Leadership Update :

New co-editors Kathy Zimon and Tom Jacoby assumed responsibility for Art Documentation in the Fall of 2001.  Their first issue has been submitted to ion communications and will be published this Spring, 2002.

Meetings:

The Editorial team met in Los Angeles at the 2001 ARLIS/NA Annual Conference to discuss current production issues and the search for new content editors.

Publications:

v. 20 #1: Spring, 2001.  Theme: The Need for Controversy

This publication featured articles on controversial content and issues in libraries, including erotica, gay/lesbian issues, Andy Warhol’s time capsules, and dual-degree programs for librarians.  The dual-degree article gave rise to an animated discussion via ARLIS-L on the issue of training for art librarians and librarians in general, and questioned the value of library school education.

v. 19, #2: Fall, 2001.    No theme

This issue was an eclectic mix of articles on art librarianship and visual resources curatorship.  A new feature, publishing articles by ARLIS members on their own art or architectural research or creation of art, was continued in this issue.

Reviews:

Book jacket images have been successfully integrated into both the print publication and the Web site listings. The editors have received positive feedback from the membership regarding the use of images.

Issues for the Executive Board:

The editorial team has asked the Executive Board and our management firm repeatedly for a breakdown of production costs for the journal, in order to produce the journal within budget.  Trudy Jacoby recently offered to work with Elizabeth Clarke to ensure this happens.  Budget printouts for the expenditure of the various aspects of production were at one time produced and distributed by a former management firm.  It would be helpful for the co-editors to receive such printouts regularly.

The ARLIS/NA Policy Manual needs updating within section R: Publications.   The Copy Editor and Indexer positions should be added and R-22: Reporting Structure needs to be revised to reflect current practice.

Several years ago the Board was approached about moving the Reviews to a more visible area of the Web site, and making an archive of the reviews searchable.  Although the Board approved this request, it has not been done due to several factors, including the relative newness of the management firm and their priorities.  The editors would like this to be a priority for the coming year.

The new co-editors may consider a redesign of the cover of the journal and request information as to whether funding might be available, whether Board approval is necessary, and whether designs might want to be solicited from the membership, etc.

Kathy Corcoran had indicated she will not be continuing as Indexer after this coming issue, Spring 2002.  The indexer position will need to be filled for the Spring issue of 2003.

January 30, 2002