Present:  M. Gordon (UCSC), R. Sonnenbery (UCSD), R. Soto (UCLA), M. Burnette
(UCB), C. Palmer (UCI) recorder

The UC English and American Literature Bibliographers met once on June 24,
1995 during the 1995 ALA Annual Convention in Chicago.  The following topics
were discussed.
1.  New Convenor
2.  MLA International Bibliography
3.  Literature Journals Project
4.  Campus Serial Cancellation Projects

Topic 1:  New Convenor
Reinhart Sonnenberg (UCSD) accepted the responsibility of Convenor.  As
outgoing Convenor, Cathy Palmer agreed to record the meeting and submit the
1994/95 Annual Report to David Farrell, who is our groups liaison to the UC-
wide Collection Development Committee.

Topic 2:  MLA International Bibliography on MELVYL
The Bibliogrpaphers present shared information concerning the progress made
in loading the MLA Bibliography on MELVYL.  Ray Soto reported, as a member of
the Computer Files Committee, that the MLA International Bibliography is still
t the top of the databases priority list, after the last round of polling/
and voting by all the campuses.  Currently the prices for loading the tape
as a MELVYL database would be about $80,000.  To provide access through
OCLC's First Search would cost about $37,000.  The increase in First Search
usage would result in the need to purchase access through five more ports,
which would be an additional $20,000.  Because of the importance of the data
on the MLA Bibliography to research in the humanities disciplines, and to
provide some balance of access to data for humanists as much as scientists,
the UC English and American Bibliographers strongly urge the Computer Files
Committee to pursue funding and mounting of the MLA International Bibliography
as the next MELVYL database.  They also urge that because of the increased
functionality of MELVYL searching, saving and mailing features, that the
database be mounted as a MELVYL file, rather than as a First Search file.

Topic 3:  Literature Journals Project
One project the UC Eng Am Bibs have agreed to focus on is the creation of a
current list with current holdings information for literature journals in the
UC system.  As a first step, bibliographers from UCI, UCD, UCB, and UCLA
investigated various options for creating lists locally and merging them into
a current directory which could be easily updated to reflect cancellations and
new subscriptions.  The results were forwarded to Cathy Palmer who discovered
hat the lists were so incompatible in format that merging them would be a
manual operation.  After discussion, the decision was reached that the work
involved was not worth the effort, as MELVYLþ does provide a union list,
current to within 18 months.  Also, such an effort does not identify important
titles which are not held in the UC system.  After approaching the Modern
Language Association to determine whether an automated listing of the MLA
Directory of Periodicals was available and learning that it is not, the group
decided to concentrate on a project which would identify new titles not
available in the UC system and depend on MELVYLþ and sharing of campus journal
cancellation lists to facilitate indentification of "last copy in system"
titles and decision making about journal cancellations.  Cathy Palmer agreed
to spend some time investigating the feasibility of using FirstSearch to 1)
identify new titles in the area of English and American Literature, and 2)
share this information with other UC bibliographers.  Other potential sources
for new journal title information are the PMLA which has new journal
announcements in each issue, the Yearbook of English Studies and other subject
specific bibliographies which cover the field.

Topic 4:  Journal Cancellations Projects
UCI:  Still concentrating on targeting cancellation of serials of titles which
will not require faculty consultation.  Planning for a 13% inflation rate in
the cost of journals in 95/96 on top of a 10% increase in 94/95.  Cost of
serials cancellation continues to be absorbed by cuts in the budget for
monographs.
 

UCSC:  Differential percentage distribution by discipline to target serials
cancellations.  Using circulation data available from their local system.
Probably will not cancel systematically in 95/96.

UCLA:  Eliminated the continuations/subscriptions fund which was overexpended
40% and assigned the costs to the funds of individual bibliographers who will
receive 60% of the cost of the continuations/subscriptions in their area.  The
remaining 40% will have to come from cancellations or reduction of purchases
in other areas.  The good news is that due to the Collection Enhancement
Funds, UCLA has purchased an entire suite of Chadwyck-Healy full-text
databases including the English Poetry Database, English Drama, Patrologia
Latina, the works of Shakespeare, and the Bible for $100,000.

UCB:  Experiencing the 4th cancellation in 5 years.  Over 300 titles in the
humanities, primarily literature,  have been cancelled.  Michaelyn will send
the list to Margaret at UCSC as Santa Cruz depends heavily on Berkeley's
collection.

UCSD:  No cancellations planned at this time.

Next Meeting:
Those present agreed to meet at ALA Mid-Winter in San Antonia, meeting time
and place TBA.

Cathy Palmer, recorder