November 10, 1993

This was the first meeting to be convened by the new CARL interest group on the multicultural interests/focus for academic libraries. The meeting was held at California State University, Northridge at the Oviatt Library. Darrin Gitisetan was the convening Chair and interest group initiator.

Members of the Steering Committee attending this inaugural meeting were: Karin Duran, Virginia Elwood, Darrin Gitisetan, and April Love. Deborah Schaeffer was unable to attend because of illness.

1. Announcements: Darrin reported that there had been six responses via e-mail and other means expressing interest in DIAL. Responses were from both Northern and Southern California. It was suggested that there be both north and south subdivisions of DIAL, in reflection of other CARL interest groups. Darrin will look into involving interested people in the north for a northern division.


2. Bylaws: DIAL has already been provided by CARL as an interest group. It was agreed by the Steering Committee that present bylaws, as drafted by Darrin, be provisional for now: They can be changed as necessary in the future.


3. Logo for DIAL: Darrin presented four examples of logo models for the Steering committee to examine. The color letterhead was preferred as a possible design for letterhead. The stylized rainbow/dial with "raindrops" arranged in a semi-circle with "DIAL" in the center, and "A CARL Interest Group" below in black would be the easiest to reproduce on photocopier. There may be more examples to choose from at future DIAL meetings.


4. Election of Officers: The Steering Committee began by electing/volunteering among themselves as the inaugural officers:
   
   
   1. President: Darrin Gitisetan
   
   
   2. Vice President/Pres. Elect/Program Chair: Deborah Schaeffer
   
   
   3. Secretary: April Love
   
   
   4. Membership Chair: Karin Duran
   
   
   5. Assistant to Program Chair: Virginia Elwood
   
   
5. Survey Questions: Darrin planned to distribute a survey to generate information for a Multicultural Resources Directory of resources in academic libraries, to be published by DIAL as a long-term project. This directory is anticipated to include: contact people, special collections with a specific cultural focus, services, etc. within academic libraries. After discussion among the steering committee members, it was determined that it was too complicated and premature to combine such a survey with a "membership drive," to invite librarians to participate in the DIAL interest group. Instead, a short simple survey was proposed as a recruitment tool, with the intent to:
   
   
   1. Identify librarians interested in cultural diversity issues;
   
   
   2. Identify potential members with an interest survey;
   
   
   3. Solicit information from members and other interested librarians for future program ideas.
      
   
   Darrin will reword and simplify the survey with the above intentions in mind.


6. Multicultural Resources Directory: The Committee determined that it was premature to begin work on this directory. Action/discussion to be postponed until DIAL gets "underway" with more (and active) membership.


7. Publicity: It was decided that a small one-quarter to half page advertisement be designed with IAL's statement of purpose, goals and objectives, and membership information, using the DIAL logo. This would be submitted in the fugue to the CARL newsletter to publicize the DIAL interest group. Darrin will also design a flyer/handout for DIAL with the CARL/DIAL membership form on the back to distribute at CLA in mid-November. Darrin will make announcements, where appropriate, at CLA meetings to invite librarians interested in multi-cultural issues to join DIAL.
   


8. Program: Discussion began regarding the first DIAL program. The bylaws state that there be at least one program per year. The committee agreed that the SEAL interest group model where there are two programs each year, one "fun" and one "serious" be used for DIAL's programming. There was a consensus that the first DIAL program be "fun" as a way to welcome members, and encourage enthusiastic participation. It was suggested that DIAL consider joint combined programs with other CARL interest groups, e.g. the CSU Librarians, CARLDIG and SEAL. Resources could be shared, and there would be a larger membership pool to draw from fro program participation. Ideas which came up included:
   
   
   1. Rap music, "Rapping About Music." A panel with librarians and rap musicians to share and discuss history, resources, etc.
   
   
   2. Ethno medicine. A DIAL/SEAL joint program to talk about medical practices, plant and herbal medicine resources and research in different cultures. Maybe include Dr. Eloy Rodriguez from UC Irvine whose major research has been on pharmacognosy and natural products. Could include a visit to the Southwest Museum. April will present this idea to the SEAL Program Committee on November 18, 1993 ad a possible joint program.
   
   
   3. Problems in collection building for multi-cultural collections.
   
   
   4. Myers-Briggs Personality Typing: a multicultural view into psychology and culture.
   
   
   5. Ageism and Diversity
   
   
   6. Historical Multicultural Roots: a tour of the Western Heritage Museum
      
   
   The Steering Committee members concurred that a visit to an ethnic restaurant be included as part of the tradition for DIAL meetings and programs.


9. Future Meetings: The Committee agreed to meet in earl February, 1994, time and date to be announced.

April Love,
DIAL Secretary