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FROM THE DIRECTOR
Although we have reported each year to the Library Board, this cumulative report presents publicly in one place the record of this agency’s transformation from 1997-2000.
1997 Library Board
Brenda Burns, President of the Senate, Chair
Donald Aldridge, Speaker of the House
Ruth Solomon, Senator
Kathi Foster, Representative
1998 Library Board
Jeff Groscost, Speaker of the House, Chair
Brenda Burns, President of the Senate
Ruth Solomon, Senator
Kathi Foster, Representative
1999 Library Board
Brenda Burns, President of the Senate, Chair
Jeff Groscost, Speaker of the House, Chair
Ruth Solomon, Senator
Kathi Foster, Representative
2000 Library Board
Jeff Groscost, Speaker of the House, Chair
Brenda Burns, President of the Senate
Ruth Solomon, Senator
Kathi Foster, Representative
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Library Board Chairs, former President Brenda Burns and former Speaker Jeff Groscost, were instrumental in bringing us through this challenging and productive time. It is hard to image how these successes could have been possible without the ongoing and continuous involvement and interest given our agency by Senator Solomon and Representative Kathi Foster. We thank them for everything they have done – without their help we could not have accomplished so much.
Our deep gratitude goes to the 1996 Library Board who conducted a nationwide search, interviewed, and ultimately hired a new Director. It was delightfully obvious that they cared about the Library and believed it could be an important agency for Arizona. Former Speaker Mark Killian and former President John Greene have maintained their interest and support for our work, despite changes in their positions and careers.
1996 Library Board
Mark Killian, Speaker of the House, Chair
John Greene, President of the Senate
Ruth Solomon, Senator
Kathi Foster, Representative
We also owe a great deal to our colleagues in our sister legislative agencies. They were ready to accept the revival of this agency and we are very appreciative. Michael Braun, Executive Director of Legislative Council has always been there when we needed his help and guidance.
To all the members of the Legislature we say thank you. Without your willingness to listen, we could not have explained our story or our promise.
Thank you to Governor Jane Dee Hull for her interest and support.
The cultural community of Arizona has been a delight to work with and to work for. We share beliefs in the importance of history, research, information and quality of life. I remain constantly impressed by the openness and optimism of our colleagues – and I am grateful for their support.
Finally, I dedicate a special thank you to the staff of the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records – you made this happen – you exceeded everyone’s dreams, let alone expectations. It is an honor to work with you.
GladysAnn Wells
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records’ vision is to ensure that the Arizona Legislature and Arizonans have access to the information they need today and the history of Arizona for tomorrow, through partnerships with all types of cultural and public information institutions. To fulfill this vision, the agency established four goals
· provide prompt, professional legislative support
· preserve and document Arizona’s history
· provide access to public information
· promote statewide collaboration for historical and cultural and public information institutions
This summary is a brief account of the strategic activities undertaken by the agency to achieve its goals. The Reports of Accomplishments for each year include complete descriptions.
PROVIDING PROMPT, PROFESSIONAL LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT
Library and Archives’ visibility in the Legislature was very limited before 1997.
Library and Archives helped to organize House and Senate research libraries and to update records retention schedules. The agency provided tours and training opportunities for legislators and their staff. Librarians installed CD-ROM products and online services at state-of-the art electronic reference stations (ERS) in the House and Senate research areas and at Legislative Council. Special software enabled the Research and Law Library Divisions to deliver legal information and state documents to the Legislature quickly, both from our own collections and from any other library in the nation. The Records Management Division microfilmed and digitized legislative bill files for use by Legislative Council and microfilmed and scanned Legislative Study Committee reports for access through the web.
PROVIDING ACCESS TO PUBLIC INFORMATION
In 1997, access to our collections was restricted to those who could visit the Library in Phoenix.
As of 2000, we provide three and one-half million information transactions in the state each year – a number that is growing exponentially. The agency completed a detailed assessment of both the general collections and the Arizona Collection. It recommended collection management strategies to protect and improve the materials.
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The agency implemented an online catalog, which for the first time provided electronic access to its many collections. An automated system at the Braille and Talking Book Library now provides access to collections for library users who are blind, visually impaired, or physically handicapped. Construction and reconfiguration of public service areas afford more efficient access to the History and Archives, Research Library, Genealogy, vital records, and map collections.
PRESERVING ARIZONA
The State Library’s buildings and collections had seriously degraded by 1997. The 1901 Arizona State Capitol building had been an embarrassment to Arizonans for many years. Its exterior, masonry, windows, awnings, elevator shaft, stairs, and rotunda area were long neglected. The building needed fire alarm, sprinkler, and security systems. The State Library had limited storage for its own collections and the Records Center was running out of space. Studies completed in 1987 and 1996, and the Sunset Review Report in 1999, documented the need for a new state archives multi-purpose storage facility. The agency’s collections were jeopardized by poor conditions. Territorial documents were stored in an area without climate-control, fire alarm, or sprinkler systems. Pottery, books, newspapers, lithographs and photographs were in dangerous storage conditions.
Now these resources are being protected. 55% of the original Capitol Building has been restored for its 2001 centennial anniversary. The agency has installed fire alarms and a sprinkler system in the original Capitol building and 1919 and 1938 additions. Four divisions have leased temporary off-site storage facilities that offer a safe, climate controlled environment for less frequently used materials. The agency received special legislative appropriations of $300,000 to begin restoration of its once fine collection of rare and valuable materials. The Library has received a grant of $336,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities to continue preservation of Arizona newspapers.
PROMOTING STATEWIDE COLLABORATION
In 1997, the State Library and Archives did not have a record of partnerships with cultural and public information communities.
Since then, it has collaborated with state and local organizations to promote the success of cultural and historical projects. We now host statewide cultural community conferences, Arizona Convocations, to bring together professionals from the state’s library, museum, and cultural communities to share ideas and visions for future activities and partnerships. We joined with the state libraries of Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, for two Five State American Indian Conferences to develop sustained communications and a network of support, and to promote collaborative programming between tribal and non-tribal libraries, archives and museums. We assist repositories to develop a cultural inventory database which allows Arizonans to locate libraries, archives, and museums around the state and to discover the location of unique and rare Arizoniana.
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