The Bibliographical Society: The Annual General Meeting 2009

The one hundred and seventeenth Annual General Meeting was held at the Trades Union Congress Library Collections, London Metropolitan University, London, on Tuesday, 20th October 2009. The President, Professor John Barnard, was in the Chair. The minutes of the previous AGM (which had been printed in The Library for June 2009) were taken as read, seconded by Dr Colin Tite, and confirmed.

Speaking to the Annual Report, the President noted that 36 new members were elected in the past year, bringing the number of members to 908, and he read the names of members who had died since the last AGM. He reported that Bill Bell had become Editor of The Library and was maintaining the journal's high standards. Other items noted were: the electronic version of The Library was enabling greater access to scholars; the regular lecture programme was complemented by a Summer visit to the Plume Library at Maldon; ten fellowships and bursaries had been granted (listed in September issue of The Library); and a reprint of Duff with additions by Lotte Hellinga had recently been published. The President concluded by drawing attention to the hard work of the officers and Council members, in particular Bill Bell, Editor of The Library, Nicolas Bell, Reviews Editor of The Library, David Shaw, chairman of the Publications sub-committee, Mirjam Foot, Editor of Monographs, Richard Linenthal, Hon. Treasurer, and Margaret Ford, Hon. Secretary.

He proposed the adoption of the Annual Report, and it was seconded by Mr David Pearson, and carried.

The Treasurer presented the Accounts for 2008, noting their improvement on last year, despite continued volatility in the financial markets. Aware of a slight decline in traditional subscription revenue, he pointed that this was off-set by income from new sources, such as OUP's on-line sales of The Library. It is therefore necessary to see subscription and publication revenue as linked. The Treasurer also noted that exceptional awards had been granted from the Society's ample reserve funds. He proposed the adoption of the Accounts; this was seconded by Dr Shaw and carried. The proposal to re-appoint the firm Thornton Springer as Auditor for 2009 was also passed, after being seconded by Professor John Flood.

The President stated that Professor Julia Boffey, Professor Jill Kraye and Mr Richard Ovenden were due to retire from Council under normal rules of rotation and thanked them for their contribution. The following nominations were put forward to fill the vacancies: Dr Janet Ing Freeman, Mr Roger Gaskell, and Dr Nicholas Pickwoad. These nominations were formally seconded by Mr David Pearson and approved.

The President also stated that a new vice-president was to be elected and nominated Dr Kristian Jensen. The nomination was seconded by Professor John Barnard and approved.

All existing officers were willing to serve in their respective positions for another one-year term; their election was proposed, seconded by Dr David Shaw, and carried.

The President reminded members that the Gold Medal would be presented to Dr Lotte Hellinga at the 17 November meeting, and members joined him in congratulating her on the award.

In response to the President's request for any other business, Mr Robert Laurie asked Council to consider introducing another medal to recognise services to bibliography and book history at a lower level than the Gold Medal. Dr David Shaw suggested a possible book award for publications in the field. Council will consider both suggestions.

After closing the Annual Meeting, the President introduced Mrs Chris Coates, Librarian of the TUC Collections, who outlined the collections and led members to a display in the library.

Annual Report 2008–09

Officers of the Society

President: J. Barnard; Past Presidents: D. J. Shaw, J. L. Flood, E. S. Leedham-Green; Vice-Presidents: D. R. S. Pearson, L. Hellinga, C. Y. Ferdinand, K. Jensen.

Hon. Secretary: M. L. Ford; Hon. Treasurer: R. A. Linenthal; Hon. Librarian: R. Myers; Hon. Editor of The Library: W. Bell; Hon. Editor of Mono graphs: M. M. Foot.

Council: M. Bell, W. Bell, J. Boffey, R. Halwas, J. Kraye, K. Manley, D. J. McKitterick (co-opted), R. Ovenden...