Present: Grace Jackson-Brown (Indiana University) Interim President and presiding Chair, Samuel Custard (Gary Public), Interim Treasurer, Pearlie Eatman (East Chicago Public), Michele Fenton (Indiana State Library), Kenneth Green (Gary Public), Shenekia Hatcher (Indianapolis Marion County Public), Deloice Holliday (Indiana University) Nominations and Elections Committee, Jos Holman (Tippecanoe County), Koku Lwanga (Gary Public), James McNair (Gary Public), Patience Ojomo (Gary Public), Dorothy Swain (Gary Public), Monique Threatt (Indiana University), Interim Secretary, and Dorothy Washington (Purdue University), Interim Vice-President.

1. Minutes - Minutes were distributed for the June 7, 2003 meeting. Minutes for the July 28, 2003 with the Interim Executive Board were not submitted for review.
   
   
2. Announcement concerning the slate of candidate nominations - DeLoice Holliday, Nominations and Elections Committee, reported she had received minimal feedback for officer candidates for nomination. Holliday handed out a Request for Nominations form and requested information be sent to her no later than October 10, 2003 at [email protected]. Valentine Muyumba (Indiana State) was unable to attend the meeting, and therefore unable to submit a report. Jackson-Brown and Holliday explained the duties of each office in accordance with the IBLN Bylaws.
   
   
3. Call for Officer Candidates - Grace Jackson-Brown accepted the nomination as requested by the Nominating Committee, and Dorothy Washington, pending if there are no other nominations by October 10, accepted the nomination by the Nominating Committee to be considered for President. DeLoice Holliday requested her name be considered for Vice-President; Samuel Custard requested his name be considered for Treasurer; Monique Threatt and Yolanda Cooper (Indiana University; in absentia) requested their name be submitted for Secretary.
   
   
4. IBLN Membership Dues. Jackson-Brown distributed the IBLN Membership forms. The Interim Executive Board suggested the following fees: Student $15, Clerical $20, Paraprofessional $20 and Librarian $20. Koku Lwanga made a motion to approve the fees, Swain seconded the motion. Threatt will update the membership form.
   
   Discussion:
   Samuel Custard and Jos Holman made a motion for membership fees to reflect library status: Student $5, Support Staff (includes Clerical and Paraprofessional) $10, and Librarian $20. Lwanga withdrew her earlier motion and remade a motion to approve the new fees. Swain seconded the motion. Eatman agreed with motion. Jackson-Brown called for vote. All approved. Custard accepted monies for membership fees based on library status.
   
   James McNair wanted to know what constituted membership in a black library organization; it was decided that the IBLN is not closed to black librarians. Holman suggested that changing the Bylaws would warrant a new discussion and it is a decision that cannot be motioned at this time.
   
   
5. IBLN Budget. Jackson-Brown reported the findings of the Interim Executive Board. Holman suggested we wait until final fees are voted and approved by the Black Caucus, ALA. Swain suggested more money be added to the budget for speakers and special projects. Hatcher and Holman mentioned that there are a few library staff members who are jazz musicians. No resolution on how fees would be collected.
   
   
6. IBLN Spring Meeting. Jackson-Brown suggested the IBLN meet twice a year, once in the Spring and again in the Fall. The Spring meeting will be held in conjunction with the 2004 Indiana Library Federation Conference, April 12-14, 2004, Indianapolis. No specific date has been set for the IBLN to meet during this time. It was suggested the IBLN convene at a nearby hotel restaurant for a business lunch. Hopefully, Wilma Gibbs, curator, Indiana State Historical Society Library will be on hand to provide tours.
   
   
7. Final Remarks. For more information about certain events or support, contact the listed member individually.
   
   • Washington mentioned the Harlem Book Fair in Harlem, New York.
   • Hatcher and Fenton discussed the visibility of black librarians; supporting each other; the challenges of being the only black librarian.
   • Professional Development: Washington suggested members enroll in training sessions for Supervisors/Managers; enroll in "How to deal with Confrontation" seminars. "How to Prepare for Management."
   • Jackson-Brown and Holman mentioned the updated Black Caucus, ALA website at http://www.bcala.org. They encouraged members to take a look at the changes; information about IBLN.
   • Holman encourage IBLN members to recruit other people to join IBLN; noted that Indianapolis Marion County Public Library have at least 20 librarians or library para-professionals and none of them are represented.
   • Hatcher suggested someone from IBLN speak with the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library about the role of IBLN.
   
   
   

The IBLN then toured the Indiana University's Black Film Center/Archive and Archives of the African American Music and Culture.

In closing, a warm thanks to Grace Jackson-Brown for providing the Continental Breakfast and setting up the tours to the Black Film Center/Archive, and Archives of African American Music and Culture.