Minutes of the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board Meeting
23 January 1997
Ohio Historical Center Archives Library
Columbus

Board members present: Gary Ness, George Parkinson, Roland Baumann, Jonathan Dembo, Barbara Floyd, Dennis Harrison, Lynn Jacobs, Michael Lucas

Board members not present: Alice Cornell, James Oda, Carol Tomer

Staff present: Matthew Benz

State Coordinator Gary Ness called the meeting to order at 10:09 a.m., and welcomed the board.

After some general comments concerning the day's upcoming Access Through Automation Vendor Demonstrations, Ness informed the board on the current budgetary outlook concerning state funding of Ohio Historical Society programs. With an expected decrease in overall state funding, Ness expressed his concerns about the challenges facing the Society as it searches for a new resource base to supplement the diminishing state funds. A discussion followed that centered around what sort of input and assistance could be expected from the board with regards to this area.

Ness and Assistant Coordinator George Parkinson then briefed the board on the status of the Ohio Government Information Locator Service. A meeting between the state network representatives and staff is set for 25 February. The meeting is to organize lobbying efforts to obtain funding for the GILS. Parkinson asked that board members consider attending this meeting.

At this time, Roland Baumann moved to adopt the minutes of the December meeting as written. Jonathan Dembo seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Parkinson led further discussion on the vendor demonstrations, and it was mentioned that the Access Through Automation project is a fulfillment of The Ohio 2003 Plan, which calls for improved access through new technology, as well as improvements in access to local government records and the State Archives.

The board was then briefed on the COSHRC Report. According to Parkinson, while the report has been delayed two months, work on the 1996 Historical Records Repository Survey (HRRS) has continued. More information regarding the report will be available following the Coordinator's Meeting to be held in Washington, D.C. at the end of January.

Parkinson reported on the survey's progress in Ohio; a second mailing has resulted in more than 500 additional responses so far. The deadline is 15 February. At that time, a follow up letter will be sent out. The board expressed satisfaction at the increase in responses.

The board was updated on the Homefront and Battlefront regrant. Dick Cameron of the NHPRC has expressed his interest in the project, and told Parkinson that he will allow commission members a chance to read the regrant and provide feedback. With that in mind, the board has formally requested from the NHPRC that Homefront and Battlefront be withdrawn from consideration as a proposal until after the NHPRC response.

The board discussed the next meeting which is to be held 21 March at the Toledo Art Museum. Board member Barbara Floyd presented a tentative schedule for the meeting which the board approved. The schedule calls for the board to meet from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Following a lunch break, the board will reconvene for additional business if necessary, as well as a brief tour of the museum. Afterwards, the board will join museum staff and invited guests for a reception. The reception will provide the museum staff an opportunity to show the results of their NHPRC grant project, which was coordinated through OHRAB.

Following agreement on a proposed press release on the success of the Toledo Art Museum grant, the board expressed interest in looking in to Ohio museums -art museums in particular- and other cultural institutions and explore how they handle their archives and records.

The board turned its attention to The Ohio 2003 Plan, and it was agreed to postpone the adoption of the new plan until after the original copies have been completely distributed.

Regarding the Ohio Bicentennial Commission, Parkinson informed the board that following his meeting with the board on 5 December, Steve George, Executive Director of the Commission, expressed great interest in several of the board's recommendations, in particular the proposed endowment fund. Furthermore, Steve George is keeping The Ohio 2003 Plan in mind as a possible key component of the Bicentennial Celebration.

At 11:55, Roland Baumann moved to adjourn, the motion was seconded, and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

George Parkinson
Deputy Coordinator