Program Planning
Book and Paper Group
To be successful, BPG must develop programs that allow conservators to learn and grow professionally. It is vital to BPG that the group continues to develop and sponsor programs that are relevant to our members and are strongly supported by the membership.
BPG has established a standard of open exchange of ideas and information. The "permanent" elements of the BPG's current program agenda include the BPG annual meeting's 20 minute slide presentations; the "BPG Annual" publication that is linked to the annual meeting presentations; the "Paper Catalogue" as it continues to evolve; the "Book Catalogue" that is under development; the subspecialty discussion groups—the Library Collections Conservation Discussion Group and the Archives Conservation Discussion Group. In addition BPG helps to support "occasional" program elements including one-time programs (recent examples include the joint session with the Photographic Materials Group on conservation of scrapbooks and albums, AIC 1999, and BPG's financial support of the Colored Media Conference, Chicago 1999). Whether "permanent" or "occasional" such BPG programs have typically resulted from individual and small group initiatives.
Now is a good time to encourage the membership to apply strategic thinking to a comprehensive programming plan. Beginning in September and leading up to the annual meeting in Dallas next June, I hope to lead a process to develop an integrated program agenda for BPG.
Some of the issues to consider:
What is the mission of BPG programming?
Should the mission go beyond sharing of information, to education and skills training for new professionals and mid-career professionals? Do we have an obligation to share information with the general public and allied professions (for example, artists, picture framers, bookbinders)?
What programs will meet the needs of BPG membership?
More specialized workshops? Hands-on training workshops? More sub-specialty issue oriented sessions?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of BPG's current programming?
What type of programs does BPG do well? What are the gaps in BPG programming? What are the challenges BPG faces in programming? Should BPG be proactive in program development or emphasize support for independent programming initiatives?
Does the current publications program meet the future program needs of BPG?
Should BPG develop more specialized publications, technical brochures? Should BPG expand its use of the web?
What administrative structure would best support the development of future programming?
Will the current structure of the executive council of BPG support the program plan? Should there be a standing "Program Committee" within BPG to coordinate program planning similar to the current "Publications Committee"?
How can BPG financially support expanded programming?
My plan will be to organize a series of discussions on these topics over the next months largely via the Internet. This process will culminate in a planning meeting in the spring of 2001. It is my hope that out of this meeting we as a group can develop goals and recommendations to submit to the business meeting in Dallas in June.
I encourage all members to contact me with ideas and suggestions on this topic. I also ask members to volunteer to assist with leading and coordinating this effort.
Glen Ruzicka