DANCE LIBRARIANS DISCUSSION GROUP

MISSION AND GOALS STATEMENT

ARTS SECTION
ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

As a part of the Arts Section of ACRL, the Dance Librarians Discussion Group provides a forum for dance librarians and others working in or interested in dance to discuss issues and exchange ideas; to encourage, develop and support projects which will improve access to and the organization of dance materials in libraries and archives; to inform, educate and encourage cooperation through activities and programs on dance.

The following goals and objectives have been developed in accordance with guidelines set forth by the Association for College and Research Libraries to support and enhance the overall mission and plans of the organization.

GOAL I

To promote and speak for the interests of dance librarianship.

Subgoal A

To enhance an awareness of the role of dance libraries, dance collections and dance subject-specialists among art professionals and organizations and to develop effective working relationships with them.

Objective 1

Create opportunities for dance librarians and specialists to interact with other professionals, especially in the academic and arts communities.

Objective 2

Establish and maintain alliances with other professional arts organizations.

Objective 3

Develop public relations activities designed to foster an understanding of dance libraries.

Objective 4

Promote dialogues and exchanges of materials and information on dance at an international level.

Subgoal B

To monitor and speak out on government and private sector activities likely to affect dance librarianship.

Objective 1

Bring relevant issues to the attention of ACRL.

Objective 2

Review and speak out on government and private sector intellectual freedom/censorship issues likely to affect dance.

Objective 3

Encourage funding for dance documentation and preservation.

Objective 4

Evaluate proposals related to dance documentation.

Subgoal C

To support and participate in the recruitment and retention of outstanding individuals to the field of academic and research librarianship in dance.

Objective 1

Support ACRL in their recruitment efforts.

Subgoal D

To help shape educational programs in accordance with the needs of dance librarianship.

Objective 1

Assist ACRL in describing how library schools might address the changing needs of dance librarianship.

Objective 2

Advise, encourage and assist library schools in offering specialized courses, workshops and independent studies for dance librarianship.

Objective 3

Communicate with dance researchers. teaching faculty, and students about issues of documentation, access, and needs of dance librarians.

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GOAL II

To enhance the capability of dance libraries to serve the needs of their users.

Subgoal A

To adopt and support standards and guidelines needed by the field.

Objective 1

Identify, develop, and promote standards and guidelines for dance librarians.

Subgoal B

To identify, explore, and act on problems and issues facing dance libraries.

Objective 1

Promote the preservation of dance materials.

Objective 2

Assist with the development of collections of dance materials.

Objective 3

Identify acquisitions tools for dance resources.

Objective 4

Encourage dance documentation, particularly in the area of cultural diversity.

Objective 5

Encourage improved bibliographic control of dance, particularly in the area of audiovisual resources.

Objective 6

Promote networking of information about dance.

Objective 7

Fully utilize advances in new technologies.

Objective 8

Promote development of new technologies appropriate for dance information.

Objective 9

Foster support for management of dance collections, with special emphasis on facilities and equipment.

Objective 10

Encourage interlibrary loan or other access to dance audiovisual materials.

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GOAL III

To promote study, research, and publication relevant to dance librarianship.

Subgoal A

To encourage improvement end advancement in dance research,

Objective 1

Support incentives for research in dance.

Objective 2

Support research projects, report works-in-progress and disseminate research results in dance.

Subgoal B

To advance the professional knowledge of dance librarians and others through an effective publishing program.

Objective 1

Support a dance publication program to promote the discussion group's mission, goals and objectives.

Objective 2

Contribute to the Arts Newsletter on a regular basis.

Objective 3

Publish a summary of Dance Librarians Discussion Group meetings.

Objective 4

Publish a membership list on a regular basis.

Objective 5

Publish an updated list of dance libraries and archives.

Objective 6

Encourage section members to publish dance-related articles in C&RL and C&RL News.

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GOAL IV

To contribute to the professional development of dance librarian and others.

Subgoal A

To sponsor and encourage individuals and organizations to provide opportunities for dance librarians and others to update existing competencies, learn requisite new skills and gain an awareness of the state of the art, based upon member needs assessments.

Objective 1

Develop programming for Dance Librarians Discussion Group meetings.

Objective 2

Coordinate programs and projects with related organizations and associations.

Objective 3

Disseminate results of surveys and other items of interest to the membership through an active publishing program.

Objective 4

Encourage members to share information about their dance library and archive collections, including recent acquisitions.

Subgoal B

To encourage and promote active membership in all discussion group activities.

Objective 1

Plan for ongoing recruitment of members.

Objective 2

Develop projects that utilize members' areas of expertise.

Objective 3

Support the library needs of individuals for whom dance is not their major area of responsibility.

Subgoal C

To provide career placement information regarding dance librarianship.

Objective 1

Encourage members and their home institutions to advertise available dance library positions in College and Research Libraries News.

Subgoal D

To foster awareness of ethical and conflict of interest issues.