----------------------------Original message----------------------------
The World's oldest cartographic information society, Special
Libraries Association, Geography and Map Division, has just concluded
its meetings in Indianapolis (June 6 - 10, 1998) and would like to
report on those meetings and announce plans for the future.
 
Several members took advantage of a 3 hour city-wide tour of Indianapolis
offered by SLA on Saturday night.  The first stop was the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its museum on the 500 and Brickyard 400
races.  Important monuments and buildings in the city were observed
bathed in lights as the sun went down;  parks and historic sites were
seen from the bus; and an impressive number of restaurants and
shopping opportunities pointed out along the route.
 
Workshops, committee, and board meetings were the order of the day on
Sunday, with the opening of the exhibits and receptions in the
evening.  There were two contributed paper sessions on Monday,
followed by many receptions and dinners.
 
On Tuesday, members visited the factory of the George F. Cram
Company (since 1867), one of only three large commercial map publishers left in
the U.S.  The production process for fiber core and plastic globes as
well as their popular large classroom wall maps, was explained by Jay
Douthit, one of the company owners.  The future of the Geography and
Map Division was discussed at an open forum in the afternoon,
followed by the Division Business Meeting.  The results of the
elections held saw Bruce D. Obenhaus ([log in to unmask]), Virginia
Tech, become chair of the Division, John M. Anderson
([log in to unmask]), Louisiana State University, become
chair-elect, and Susan Greaves ([log in to unmask]), Cornell University,
serve another 2-year term as treasurer.  Anita K. Oser
([log in to unmask]), Western Carolina University, continues as secretary.
The business meeting was followed by a dinner at the Eagle's Nest
atop the Hyatt Hotel.
 
On Wednesday the SLA Annual Meeting was held at which a dues increase
from $105.00 to $125.00 for regular members and from $25.00 to $35.00
for students was proposed.  This is necessary due to IRS requirements
for non-profit organizations and their ratio of income from members
v.s. non-member sources.  This will be voted on in the fall, so get
your dues paid now and save!  The new G&M Board met in the afternoon and planned for
future conferences.  Bruce is planning Minneapolis in 1999, but needs
your proposals by October 1998.  John is planning the Philadelphia
meeting in 2000, so he should be contacted with any ideas for that
meeting.  A program planner for San Antonio in 2001, the sixtieth
anniversary of the Geography and Map Division, will be appointed
at the Minneapolis meeting, so if you are interested, join and
volunteer!  The day concluded with a reception hosted by the Indiana
Historical Society and a view of plans for their new multimillion
dollar building under construction just across the street from their
present location.  Everyone attending the reception received a copy
of their newest publication, a reprint of the 1854 bird's-eye view of
Indianapolis.
 
Watch for our new periodic newsletter, co-edited by Anita Oser and
Harry O. Davis ([log in to unmask]), Southern Illinois University, and for news on the
next issue of the G&M BULLETIN.
 
Membership information and forms can be found on the SLA website at
WWW. sla.org.  Join now and follow us into the new millenium where
geography and maps will still be a subject that captures the
imagination.
 
David C. McQuillan, Chair
SLA G&M Membership and Public Relations
 
 
 
David C. McQuillan
Map Librarian
Thomas Cooper Library
Division of Libraries and Information Systems
University of South Carolina
Columbia, S.C.  29208
 
Phone: (803) 777-4723
Fax: (803) 777-4661
Internet: [log in to unmask]