I believe that I was on Jeff's committee in 1990, as well as on Wittenborn
Committees one or two other years, and agree with his wonder that there are
only two books being honored this year. I also agree with other colleagues
who have questioned the wisdom of relegating the announcement of this award
to a preconference email. We are the Art Libraries Society after all and
the announcement of awards for publishing books of excellence on art and
architecture should be the jewel in our crown. Rather than diminish the
news we should be trying to build up their recognition as awards to be
sought and celebrated.
Ann Abid
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Weidman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 10:16 AM
Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] George Wittenborn Memorial Book Award
I, also, agree with those who have weighed in, and I speak from Chairing
the Committee in 1990, and working with a distinguished group of
colleagues to review and pick the winners.
I was also surprised to see only two winners. Was the quality of
publishing really that poor for only two to rise to the top?
Dr. Jeffrey Weidman
Senior Librarian, Public Services & Collection Development
Spencer Art Reference Library
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
4525 Oak Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
Tel: 816-751-1215
FAX: 816-561-1229
[log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: ART LIBRARIES SOCIETY DISCUSSION LIST [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Sherman Clarke
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 7:00 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] George Wittenborn Memorial Book Award
When I was chair of the Wittenborn Committee a long time ago, we
notified the authors, publishers, and nominators of the awards some
time before the conference. They were able to make arrangements for the
convocation and exhibits as possible. And there was suspense for the
general audience at the convocation. If the exhibits open before the
convocation (as they do this year), anyone who has been paying
attention at the booths of the award winners might note that a winner
is "announced" there before the public award ceremony. I guess I'd say
that's fine, it's just a bit like "red carpet" speculation, builds
toward the climax.
I'd vote with Bill and Gregg for a bit of frisson at the convocation.
Sherman Clarke
NYU Libraries
[log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: William Walker <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, March 13, 2007 10:51 pm
Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] George Wittenborn Memorial Book Award
> Fellow members, I have to agree with Greg. The announcement AT
> the
> convocation adds a little suspense and draws more attention to the
>
> award and its winner(s). Otherwise, ho-hum, it's just another
> item
> on the net. You should reconsider for next year's award.
>
> Bill
> Walker, Canaan NY
>
> On Mar 13, 2007, at 4:46 PM, Most, Gregory P.J. wrote:
>
> > Colleagues:
> >
> >
> > I am incredibly dismayed and disheartened to hear that the
> > Executive Board (in concert with the chairs of the Awards and
> > Wittenborn committees) has decided that the winner of the George
>
> > Wittenborn Memorial Award will no longer be announced at the
> > Convocation. I find no merit or substance in any of the reasons.
> I
> > never saw an author or publisher caught in an awkward moment at
> the
> > conference. The winning publisher would usually display a copy
> of
> > the winning book on his table in the most prominent spot, and
> > proudly highlight the award-winning book following the
> > announcement. The arrival of author at the convocation was
> usually
> > the clue to the mystery. Since the deliberations for the awards
> are
> > usually made well in advance of the conference, how difficult is
> it
> > to have the review copy brought to the conference and put on
> > display? Not very difficult one would think - and this is my
> > perspective as a former Wittenborn Committee member- one of the
> > more challenging and stimulating committees of the Society
> >
> >
> > This is the sole prestigious award given by the Society that is
> > regularly announced in major art journals and publications and
> is
> > mentioned in the press of other societies. While our other
> awards,
> > like Distinguished Service or Travel, are important to us as a
> > profession, the Wittenborn award has importance and meaning to
> the
> > art world. To casually announce the winner of the Wittenborn
> Award
> > on a discussion list or post to a website robs it of its
> prestige
> > and deflects the honor from its author and publisher.
> >
> >
> > Gregory P. J. Most
> >
> > Chief, Library Image Collections
> >
> > National Gallery of Art
> >
> > Washington, DC
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__________________________________________________________________
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