Once again, thanks to the generosity of our Business Office staff in providing meeting space (and equipment and supplies and myriad other amenities), the Board held a busy and productive meeting at the A-R Editions offices in early June. Among other decisions, which are documented in the minutes from the meeting, the Finance Committee and the Board discussed the use of the MLA Fund. As many of you know, that fund provided much-needed financial support to help keep the association afloat for several years. In an effort to let the MLA Fund grow in value, money from the fund had not been used for several years. In revisiting the purpose of the fund, which includes supporting programmatic activities of MLA, the Finance Committee recommended, and the Board approved, using the fund to support the following activities: 1) $4,000 to cover live Internet access and accompanying hardware and software, to be available in one meeting room for the duration of the Memphis meeting; 2) $7,500 to cover MLA’s contribution to operating expenses of the US-RILM Office; and 3) $1,000 to support RISM efforts.

The association is conducting searches for two important positions: the Treasurer/Executive Secretary and the Assistant Convention Manager. Paula Matthews has agreed to chair the committee charged with identifying a new Treasurer/Executive Secretary. She is joined by Daniel Boomhower, Ken Calkins, Nancy Nuzzo, and Pat Wall. The search committee for a new Assistant Convention Manager is chaired by Ned Quist. Other committee members include Christine Clark, Jim Farrington, Brad Short, and Jim Zychowicz.

The Treasurer/Executive Secretary oversees and participates in the day-to-day operations of the association. The Assistant Convention Manager works with all aspects of planning for and managing our annual meeting. The positions will be advertised during the fall, with final interviews to take place during the annual meeting in Memphis. If you have been interested in contributing to the association in a way different from committees and roundtables, consider applying for one of these positions. The search committee members will be glad to answer any questions you might have about the positions.

The Board will meet again from 22-25 September in Iowa City, Iowa. I look for excuses to go back to Iowa City, where I spent a number of years as a graduate student, and was delighted when Ruthann McTyre offered to host the meeting. At the meeting we will review the work of all of the association’s committees and subcommittees; we will see the results of the Program Committee’s work over the spring and summer; we will approve the budget for the Memphis meeting; we will learn more about the festivities planned for Memphis; we will review recommendations from the Awards Committees; and we will approve the slate for the November ballot. This will be an important election. In addition to electing three new Members-at-Large, we also will be electing a new Recording Secretary and a Vice-President/President-Elect.

Although the busy days of fall will be with us when you read this update, do take time to read the two major fall mailings from MLA. The ballot and convention mailings are scheduled to be sent on 3 November. Take an active role in your association by voting and make plans to attend what should be a wonderful 75^thAnniversary celebration in Memphis!

That scenario faded quickly as a result of long-term planning and a generous gift by the Weeks family, reports the current head music librarian, Nancy Zavac. In January 2005, the University of Miami dedicated the stunning new Marta and Austin Weeks Music Library and Technology Center. The $9.9 million center brings all of these resources together in the 22,500-square-foot Weeks Music Library that is adjoined by the 5,934-square-foot Technology Center. This complex is complemented by the Austin Weeks Center for Recording and Performance that opened in 1994. Ms. Zavac recognizes Mary Wallace Davidson’s visit to the site (also in 1994) as the start of the planning process for the new library and the greatest help in writing the initial program statement.

In consideration of the library’s proximity to the ocean and the hazardous weather that can occasionally arise in the area, care was taken to protect against tropical storms. For example, special “hurricane-resistant” glass was used in the windows. During Hurricane Katrina sandbags made an appearance outside the doors of the building, and though the library experienced three minor window leaks, it was never without power because of its generators. The university was closed during the worst of the storm, but music library operations were able to resume after less than 48 hours.

Additional space often requires additional staff. Head Librarian Nancy Zavac, Assistant Librarian Spiro Shetuni, Gisela Hernandez, Robert Loo, Alberto de la Reguera, and Thuong Vothang are now joined by Evening Circulation Supervisor John Owens and Computer Lab Specialist Jorge L. Piedad, along with approximately 2 FTE student assistants. All are happy to be in their new, state-of-the-art facility that can be viewed in greater detail at http://www.library.miami.edu/richternews/newmusiclibrarywithbanner.html.

Note: Photos of the Marta and Austin Weeks Music Library and Technology Center were taken by Felipe Oliveira and Peter Dooling of the University of Miami. Our thanks to them and to the head librarian, Nancy Zavac, for their contributions.

We hope to see you in Memphis for MLA 2006 and a memorable celebration of the association’s 75th birthday. The festivities include tours that explore various aspects of Memphis’ heritage:

• Sun Studio
• Stax Museum of American Soul Music
• Graceland
• Mason Temple, where Martin Luther King delivered his final speech
• W. C. Handy house on Beale Street
• Burkle Estate (a stop on the Underground Railroad)

The Peabody Memphis is a beautiful historic hotel, meticulously renovated. It is often said that the Mississippi Delta begins in the lobby of the Peabody (which is also a great place for people-watching!). You won’t want to miss those Peabody Ducks, who make their red carpet march to the lobby fountain every morning and back to their home on the roof every afternoon.

Memphis is looking forward to the sound of many MLA feet Walkin’ in Memphis. Watch the Web site and MLA-L for more information as February approaches.

Submitted by Anna Neal, chair, Local Arrangements Committee

At the annual meeting in San Antonio last February, I asked anyone who would listen how our 50th anniversary should be celebrated. The only consensus I got was that it should be different from our usual meetings. The difference that the Program Committee arrived at was to feature speakers from outside the Music Library Association. As a result, four of the six sessions will be presentations from musical luminaries not employed in music libraries, though MLA members will chair the sessions and the usual committee meetings on cataloguing, etc., will take place. Not a single “luminary” has turned down the invitation to participate, and this is a marvelous tribute to MLA and to our profession in general.

The opening event is a concert on Wednesday evening, 11 February, when Arthur Weisberg’s Yale Contemporary Ensemble will perform Miriam Gideon’s work commissioned by MLA in honor of the anniversary. The closing event will be the annual banquet on Saturday evening, 14 February. Publishers and dealers, during these economically bad times, have been exceptionally generous in their financial support for the reception and other expenses. They have gone all out to make this a gala event.

An interesting question for the Local Arrangements Committee is how many registrants to expect for the 50th anniversary celebration—there is no precedent. We have been using the figure 400, which would be a record breaker, as it should be. The hotel can accommodate that many, but registrations should be sent in early, and it would be helpful, as well as saving people money, if friends would share double rooms. I have yet to talk with a music librarian who does not plan to be in New Haven next February.

So far I have had only one disappointment. To properly prepare a guide to local restaurants, I should rightfully have dinner in each of them. My request for funds for this essential preparation was denied. So don’t blame me if your steak is tough or your lobster bisque is cold.

Tony Arambarri, NAMM

Rebecca Lynn Belford, University at Buffalo

Leonard Joseph Bertrand, Jr., Tulane University

Colleen Elizabeth Bigley, Duke University

Abigael Upton Brown, NYPL for the Performing Arts

Donna R. Campbell, Indiana University

Margaret E. Foote, Richmond, KY

Jennifer C. Kim, Eastman School of Music

Allison Claire McGourty, London, England

Christopher Allen Miller, Arizona State University

Terra Lynn Mobley, Duquesne University

Donna K. Rothrock, Salem College

Stephanie Schmitz, University of Maryland

T. Edward Vives, Los Alamos, NM

Corporate Patrons and Corporate Members are a valued segment of the MLA membership. We appreciate their support of MLA, music libraries and music librarianship. To acknowledge them, the newsletter will periodically include a listing of current corporate members and patrons.

Join us in thanking them for being a part of MLA!

The MLA Business Office is managed by A-R Editions, and operates under the direction of MLA’s Executive Secretary/Treasurer, Nancy B. Nuzzo. A list of the primary services handled by the Business Office is listed in the following table, which also includes information about some of the specific elements involved. The Business Office manages and continually updates a database that contains membership and subscriber information, as well as details regarding convention registrations, claims, and other information. Related services like the Music Cataloging Bulletin (MCB) are part of the database.

The Business Office has worked with MLA to develop and implement procedures for specific activities. This is critical for all functions, including the renewal mailings, the convention mailing, convention registration, updating the activities roster—essentially, everything the Business Office does in support of MLA and its membership. The Business Office reviews the procedures regularly with those involved. In addition, the MLA Board has its June meeting at A-R Editions’ office in Middleton, Wisconsin, so that it can meet those involved and discuss the work of the Business Office.

For those interested, the Business Office has provided a short list of Frequently Asked Questions in this issue of the MLA Newsletter. If you have other questions about its operation, do not hesitate to contact the Business Office!

• When do I renew my membership?
  MLA’s membership/subscription year is July 1 to June 30. Renewal notices are sent in mid-May.
• Can I subscribe through third parties?
  The Business Office sends renewal notices to both members and subscribers, and also notifies third-parties (“jobbers”) of individuals and institutions that previously renewed with them.
• What if I need to update my contact information between renewals?
  If you represent an institution, contact the Business Office (mla@areditions.com); if you are an individual member, please use the form at the “Members and Subscribers” site: http://www.areditions.com/mla/Business%20Office/Launch.html
• How long will it take for my updated information to be available in the Online Directory?
  The Business Office updates the Online Directory regularly, with the schedule of uploads listed in the MLA Calendar. If you are concerned, please contact the Business Office by phone (608-836-5825) or e-mail (mla@areditions.com). Also, the Online Directory is available only to members, not subscribers.
• Does the Business Office handle MLA-L?
  The MLA-L Listserv is hosted by Indiana University. For more information about MLA-L, please use the following link: http://www.musiclibraryassoc.org/about/ab_list.htm
  You may also want to contact the co-owners:
  A. Ralph Papakhian (papakhi@indiana.edu)
  Richard Griscom (griscom@pobox.upenn.edu)
• Where do I go for help with MLA publications like the Technical Reports and the Index and Bibliography series?
  Contact Scarecrow Press for any orders and claims. For more information, use the following link: http://www.musiclibraryassoc.org/pub/pu_occ.htm
• Is MCB still published?
  The Music Cataloging Bulletin is now published online and available to current subscribers. For more information, please use the following link: http://www.musiclibraryassoc.org/pub/pu_cat.html
• Can I talk to someone at the Business Office?
  Of course! Feel free to call the Business Office at 608-836-5825 or meet the individuals who manage it at the Annual Meeting of MLA.