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MAPS-L readers will soon see the first electronic issue of "WAML
Information Bulletin News & Notes" to appear via MAPS-L. The Western
Association of Map Libraries (WAML) members have already received these
"News & Notes" directly to their e-mail accounts.
 
WAML has embarked on this experiment to share its "News & Notes" via
MAPS-L in order to benefit the broader map library community in a timely
way.  We also hope to encourage other map library organizations to do
the same with their news. Thanks go to Johnnie Sutherland for providing
this remarkable forum and the permission to use it in this way.
 
"News & Notes" has been a long-time part of WAML's printed serial
publication, the "Information Bulletin."  We are currently
examining the frequency and content of the "Information Bulletin" and
our current plan is to reprint these electronic "News & Notes" in the
"Information Bulletin" as a permanent record.
 
In addition to the "News & Notes," the "Information Bulletin" includes
informative feature articles about specific and broad issues affecting the
field of map and spatial data librarianship. It also includes
cartobibliographies and book and atlas and software reviews.
 
In order to become a WAML member and receive the printed "Information
Bulletin," send $20 annual dues for individuals or $40 for institutions
with your name, title, address, telephone, fax and e-mail address to
WAML Treasurer, Dorothy McGarry, P.O. Box 931119, Los Angeles, CA 90093-1119.
 
Anyone may contribute to the "News & Notes" and/or the "Information
Bulletin" and we encourage you to do so.
 
Contributions to "News & Notes" may include people-related news,
association news, news about your map collection, agency news,
brief information about new maps, atlases, globes, spatial data, hardware
and software products, etc. Please send contributions to News & Notes
Editor, Connie Manson at [log in to unmask]  or [log in to unmask]
 
Feature article contributions for the "Information Bulletin" may be
sent to Features Editor, Larry Cruse at [log in to unmask]
Larry will be happy to help you refine your ideas for contributions as well.
 
The WAML Board is also very interested in discussing the current state
of serial publications with representatives from other map library
organizations. We feel that a move toward a more unified approach to
publishing a high quality map/spatial data library journal may be a
positive direction for the maps community. If anyone is interested
in pursuing this discussion, please contact WAML President, Kathryn
Womble at [log in to unmask]  or (206) 543-9392.
 
Thank you for your time and attention.
 
Kathryn Womble
WAML President