BRASS Notes
by
Elizabeth Malafi, Editor
BRASS COMMITTEE REPORTS
Business Reference in Public Libraries
The committee has been very active concerning its membership drive. We have built a relationship with the Public Library Association (PLA) that allows us to collaborate with them concerning us sharing our publications via Briefcase through their information channels. This expands the reach of the articles to other librarians outside of the traditional sphere of the Committee and BRASS.
We had hosted two “open house” meetings to drive interest in membership. The turnout was good with a variety of interested parties joining the meeting. Out of this initiative, we were able to secure a number of memberships to the committee. One of the main priorities that we identified was getting commitments to writing new articles for the Briefcase. We have secured a definite three article commitment and a possible fourth article may be forthcoming. Our goal is to have these published by the end of July 2018.
We are in the process of determining what updates need to be made to the Committee website and will consider pursuing the updates after July 2018: this will be a committee priority for next year.
Amilcar has been able to address the concerns of our committee to his professional Business Interest Group made up of business librarians around the Chicago area.
Ray Cruitt, Co-Chair 2017-2018
Amilcar Perez, Co-Chair 2017-2018
Membership Committee
The BRASS Membership Reception at ALA Annual will take place on Friday, June 22, 2018 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (CDT) at the House of Blues New Orleans (225 Decatur Street) in Big Mama’s Lounge. Celebrate 30 years of BRASS with appetizers, drinks, and cake, courtesy of Reference USA.
If you plan to attend, please let us know (even, if you will be arriving late). RSVP at https://2018- brass-reception.eventbrite.com.
Erin Wachowicz, Chair 2017-2018
Reference Services Discussion Group
The Reference Services Discussion Group held three virtual discussions this spring. Notes from the discussions will be shared with BRASS members; method to be determined pending details of the new ALA Connect platform. There will also be an in-person discussion during ALA Annual in New Orleans to which we invite all BRASS members. The in-person discussion will be held on Monday June 25th at 8:30am in Morial Convention Center, Rm 398-399. Virtual discussions resume in fall. We look forward to seeing people at Annual and to hearing from them through the virtual discussions!
Lisa Martin, Chair 2017-2018
Student Travel Award sponsored by SimplyAnalytics
Rachel Holder, a student at Indiana University, is the 2018 award recipient. We thank SimplyAnalytics for their continuing support and we welcome Rachel to the profession and to BRASS.
Patricia Kenly, 2017-2018 Chair