Volume 25, no. 1 Spring 2010 ISSN 0895-691X

NEWSLETTER

Published by the Women’s Studies Section of the, Association of College and Research Libraries, a division of the American Library Association

Notes from the Chair Before our attention starts to focus entirely on many of us, and we all enjoyed the exhibit with the preparations for the annual conference in important artifacts and manuscripts, including Washington D.C., I would like to reflect on the those from Julia Child, who was a long time WSS accomplishments and events at Midwinter in Cambridge resident. Additionally, we had the Boston. Diminished support for professional travel opportunity to tour the stacks and engage in in many institutions resulted in a smaller conversation with Marilyn and many of conference, but it did not dampen our enthusiasm Schlesinger Library staff members. The topics and we managed to have a great time. included the difficulty in defining Third Wave One of the highlights of the Midwinter conference Feminism; pros and cons of the wave trope; and was certainly our social, with the reception and collection development and archival issues of tour of Schlesinger Library, at Harvard’s Radcliffe women’s group blogs. These issues are dear to all Institute for Advanced Study, in Cambridge. This of us librarians committed to women’s issues, visit was made possible thanks to a very special regardless of institutional differences, and I felt invitation by Marilyn Dunn, Executive Director of encouraged and fortunate to be a member of such Schlesinger Library, in coordination with Connie an engaged professional group. Phelps, WSS Membership Committee Chair. I The WSS committees worked diligently on new would like to express my gratitude to both Marilyn and continuing projects at Midwinter. Although and Connie for making this special event possible. our efforts to establish a liaison relationship with It was the first visit to Schlesinger Library for the NWSA has not yet materialized, thanks to Chimene Tucker and Kim Clarke, the WSS was Inside this issue: represented at the NWSA Annual Conference in Contemporary Feminism, Midwinter Social 3 Atlanta, GA last November. Their poster WSS Members poster at Women’s Studies Conf. 4 presentation titled “Infused Instruction: Women’s Studies Librarians are the main ingredients to WSS Committee Reports at Midwinter 5 Improve the Research Process in Women’s WSS Program for ALA Annual 2010 6 Studies” explored information standards for Cindy Ingold wins ACRL WSS Award 7 women’s studies. I look forward to the From the Editor 7 developments of this project by the instruction Welcome New Members 8 committee at the annual conference and beyond. I

Continued on page 2 WSS NEWSLETTER PAGE 2

Women’s Studies Section also would like to mention the monumental work by Newsletter is published semi- Diana King, our past chair, regarding revisions to the annually by the Association of College and Research Libraries’, “Publications Manual” and her ongoing leadership to Women’s Studies Section, a revamp the “Orientation Manual.” division of the American Library Association, 50 E. Huron St., Jane Nichols, our Vice-chair/chair elect, hosted the Chicago, IL 60611, 1-800-545- discussion forum titled “The ‘F’ Word: Contemporary 2433, ext. 2523 Feminism is Freaky” that was attended by Boston area The WSS Newsletter is available librarians in addition to WSS members. The discussion to all section members at no additional cost. revealed differences in interpretation and representation of feminism between the second wave feminists and the Editor Margaret J, Foster, M.S., MPH younger generation. Jane did a terrific job in leading a Texas A&M University Libraries difficult discussion, and we were persuaded that tension 979.862.1893 between the generations can be productive and that [email protected] different choices, of clothing for example, do not reflect Assistant Editor divergence from core values, but they can be Marissa Ball Florida International University expressions of diversity. This is certainly an important 305.348.8030 debate that is likely to continue. The WSS members are [email protected] well positioned to take a leadership role in these The WSS Newsletter welcomes exchanges. contributions from members. Please send articles, items of I hope many of you will be able to join us at the interest, and news to the editors, annual conference in Washington D.C. One of the preferably in electronic format. ©American Library Association, exciting things will be the celebration of the 2009 ISSN 0895-691X professional achievement of Cindy Ingold, the winner of the Career Achievement Award. Our conference WSS Officers 20092009----201020102010:::: program on June 28 “Finding the Best Film for the ♦ Kayo Denda, Chair Classroom: Feminist Pedagogy, Visual Literacy and ♦ Jane Nichols, Vice-Chair/Chair -Elect Representation” continues the exploration of film and ♦ Stacy Russo, Secretary multimedia issues that started at the conference ♦ Kimberly L. Clarke, Member-at -large program last year. The four distinguished panelists will ♦ Jennifer A. Nace, Member-at- present their perspectives of a teaching faculty, film large distributor, media librarian, and film review e-journal editor. Join us for this exciting presentation!

Kayo Denda WSS Chair Women’s Studies Librarian Rutgers University PAGE 3 WSS NEWSLETTER

Contemporary Feminism: Topic of Midwinter Discussion

WSS put together a wonderful Questions discussed included what kinds discussion group at ALA Midwinter in of service and information needs students Boston. Librarians discussed questions and faculty in Women’s Studies are currently around 3 rd Wave Feminism and library having, whether academic departments were service. changing names in response to contemporary Titled “The ‘F’ Word: Contemporary feminism’s focus, and what shape feminist Feminism is Freaky,” the discussion activism on college campuses is taking. revolved around questions such as how to Participants also discussed their approaches define Third to outreach to feminists on Wave their campuses, instruction Feminism and methods, and collection whether the issues. trope of The consensus of the “waves” is a discussion was that in order to useful way to respond to the challenges of categorize Third Wave feminism, feminist librarians need to better understand the set of issues activism and Third Wave feminists are theory. The bringing to the table and the discussion current climate for women. These built on the participants’ sharing of their approaches include a global focus, diversity understandings and first-hand experiences and inclusion, micro-politics, the media, and of second and third wave feminism and consumerism. frequently returned to this topic as a touchstone. Jane Nichols

WSS Social at ALA Midwinter 2010

The social took place at Harvard University’s Schlesinger Library in Cambridge.

Photo by Kayo Dendo WSS NEWSLETTER PAGE 4

WSS Instruction Members Present a Poster at the 2009 National Women's Studies Conference

Kim Clarke and Chimene Tucker, A handout accompanied the poster. In members of the Instruction committee, addition to the abstract and the standards, presented a poster at the National tips for integrating the standards, as well as Women's Studies Association Conference assignment ideas were offered, along with a entitled, “Infused Instruction: Women’s brief bibliography of readings. Studies Librarians are the main ingredient The attendees who stopped by the poster to improve the research process in were a surprising mix. While many were Women’s Studies” in November 2009 in faculty, staff of women's centers, and Atlanta. The poster illustrated how 21st women's studies students, both graduate and century information competencies can undergraduate, and a handful of women's help students find studies librarians, and use visited. Faculty information more appreciated the knowledgeably suggested assignment and ideas of tips, noting that promoting students' papers would lifelong learning be enhanced with the within the use of the standards; discipline. women's centers The highlight of staffers asked about the poster is the starting or further section that takes a representative research developing their own library collections, paper assignment and “infuses” it. The and a few students received some reference original assignment requests that students assistance. The librarians came to say hello write a six page formal paper on a topic, and shared about their work at their and cite the sources used. While the libraries. rewritten assignment asks more of students, the instructor is much clearer in Note: Both the poster and handout is their expectations of the students' work. available on the WSS Instruction site They are to choose a workable research underneath Research and Publications at topic, neither too broad or too narrow; the http://www.tc.umn.edu/~clark078/ term formal writing is explained, and they wss_instruction/index.html are given a particular citation style and Kim Clarke expected to use it, with model citations given. PAGE 5 WSS NEWSLETTER

Committee Reports From Midwinter

Instruction Committee Research Committee The committee is engaged in the ongoing project The Research Committee reviewed the call for of the “Information Literacy Standards for proposals for the 2010 Poster Session which seeks Women’s Studies.” The members are committed to provide an opportunity to present completed to getting this done within a one-year time frame. research or work in progress. This will be the After the final revisions are complete, Diane will third annual Poster Session sponsored by the contact the ACRL IL Consultant. The consultant Women’s Studies Section and will take place at will make suggestions or changes along with the the Membership Meeting at Annual Conference in ACRL Standards Committee. Others outside of Washington, D.C. Research Committee members the Instruction Committee and ACRL will need to are participating in an ongoing joint research review the standards, such as WS faculty. The project of the Feminist Task Force, the Committee committee also discussed some possible topics for on the Study of Women in Librarianship, and the programming that will be forwarded to the Women’s Studies Section. Members discussed Program Planning Committee. plans for updating the committee website. Diane Fulkerson, Chair Rebecca Hankins came to the Research Committee to discuss two of her projects. Rebecca Membership Committee is the author of the recent article “Uncovering The Membership Committee met at Midwinter Black Feminist Writers 1963-90: An Evaluation of and discussed some goals and strategies for Their Coverage in Research Tools.” Rebecca is improving communication through social engaged in two projects: a digital feminist name networking tools Facebook, MySpace, and authority project and the creation of a thesaurus to Twitter, as well as other WSS publications and document new terms. The thesaurus that was put media. We continued discussion of the ACRL together by Ruth Dickstein on Women in LC was membership statistics and what we can learn from published many years ago and has not been the responses to emails sent to members. updated. These are potential opportunities for Marilyn Dunn, Executive Director of the section members. Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in Marcia Barrett, The University of Alabama America at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University, graciously offered the No Report Submitted by: Library as the site for the WSS Midwinter social. ♦ Awards Committee The social included a tour of the Library, with a ♦ Collection Development & Bibliography behind-the-scenes look at the facility, in addition Committee to wonderful refreshments. (see picture on pg 3) ♦ Electronic Resources and Access Committee Connie Phelps, Chair ♦ Nominating Committee ♦ Program Planning Committee ♦ Publications Committee

WSS NEWSLETTER PAGE 6

WSS Program for the 2010 ALA Annual Meeting in Washington, D. C.

Date Time Meeting name Location

Sat 4:00-5:30 pm General Membership (includes Grand Hyatt Washington– Jun 26 poster presentations) Independence

6:00-8:00 pm WSS Social TBD

Sun 8-10 am Conference Planning Renaissance Washington– Jun 27 Committee 2010 Meeting Rm 03

8-10 am Conference Planning Renaissance Washington– Committee 2011 Meeting Rm 06

10:30-noon Awards (closed) JW Marriot– Rayburn

10:30-noon All Committees meeting Renaissance Washington– Meeting Rm 12-14

4:00-5:30 pm Executive and Leadership Grand Hyatt Washington– Latrobe Orientation

Mon 8-noon Program: Finding the Best Film Washington Convention Center– Jun 28 for the Classroom: Feminist 147A Pedagogy, Visual Literacy and Representation

♦ For most up to date information see: http://libr.org/wss/conferences/index.html

♦ For other meetings of interest, visit: http://ftfinfo.wikispaces.com/Conference+Schedules This site includes conference meetings for: − Feminist Task Force (FTF) − Committee on the Status of Women in Libraries − Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table (GLBTRT) − Social Responsibilities Round Table − Intellectual Freedom Round Table − Rainbow Project Task Force − and more. PAGE 7 WSS NEWSLETTER

Cindy Ingold wins 2010 ACRL WSS From the Editor

Career Achievement Award Margaret J. Foster will end her term as Newsletter Editor following ALA Annual 2010. Marisa Ball, Assistant Cindy Ingold was selected as the 2010 winner of Newsletter Editor, will move into the Editor’s chair. the Association of College and Research Libraries Women’s Studies Section Career Newsletter Editor Opening Achievement Award. She is currently the women and gender resources librarian at the WSS Newsletter Editor needed for two year term, beginning with Fall 2010 issue. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. This award is sponsored by ABC-CLIO and Responsibilities : recognizes significant contributions to women’s Serve staggered 2-year term: year one as studies librarianship. A plaque and a cash prize Assistant Editor and year two as Editor. Editors are non-voting ex-officio members of the of $1,000 will be presented to Ingold at 8 a.m. Executive Committee and of the Publications on June 28 during the ALA Annual Conference Committee. Editors may divide up the editorial in Washington D.C. and text inputting tasks as they choose. Camera- Cindy has provided extensive service to WSS ready copy is sent to ACRL for production and mailing. Editors solicit input and news from and ACRL and published several important WSS Officers, committee chairs and members, works including: and may write original copy. At least one editor ♦ Ingold, C. (2007). Women's studies should be at the following events: ♦ databases: A critical comparison of three WSS Executive, Publications, and Program Committee meetings databases for core ♦ Membership meetings journals in women and ♦ Leadership Orientations gender studies. Library ♦ ACRL meetings for newsletter editors Trends , 56(2), 449-468. Qualifications : ♦ Krikos, L., & Ingold, C. ♦ Knowledge of or willingness to learn Eds. (2004). Women's Microsoft Publisher studies: a recommended ♦ interest in increasing one’s knowledge of bibliography (3rd ed.) how WSS operates ♦ desire to add a national service Libraries Unlimited. accomplishment to one’s CV (cover on right) To apply: please send a brief email regarding your interest to Marissa Ball at [email protected] or Margaret Foster at [email protected] Applicants are encourage to attach a copy of current CV. Women’s Studies Section Nonprofit Org. Margaret J. Anderson, Editor U.S. Postage Marissa Ball, Assistant Editor PAID c/o ACRL / ALA American Library 50 East Huron Street Association Chicago, IL 60611

Welcome New Members! (Aug ‘09– Feb ‘10

Amanda N. Price Juliet Taylor Rumble Ruth Jean Shaw Amanda Schmidt Karen Brown Sally Evans Brianna Leesch Katherine Sara Drewes Sanjyot Walawalkar Selkirk Caitlin Grace Flanagan Kathleen M. Conrad Sara Eve Linden Caitlin Shanley Kimberley Schwenk Sara Hupp Chris Place Krystal M. Lewis Sharon H. Swacker Courtney Leigh Barbour Laura Deffley Simone M. Fujita David Ellenwood Malia Elizabeth Willey Sofia Erendira Vazquez-Duran Deborah A. Murphy Mary Ellen W. Rogan Stephanie R. Miles Elizabeth Smith Mary O'Kelly Susan Wood Elizabeth Theobald Melanie Jean Meyers Susanne Irene Ragen Gail McMillan Melodie Frankovitch Virginia E. Corvid Gail Rodgers McCormick Michael Woodward Gretchen Feltes Michelle Denise Dartis Hope L. Justice Monica Hope Castiglione Janai Garfinkel Natalie K. Bulick Jane M. Hutton Penelope Wood Jennifer Ilagan Holowich Rhonda L. Neugebauer

Jessica O'Brien