History

Our History

ARLIS/NA Upstate New York is one of the oldest chapters of ARLIS/NA. The Western New York area has had a key role in bringing colleagues in art libraries and visual resource collections together. The Buffalo Institute, in 1969, paved the way for the development of the national organization, Art Libraries Society of North America in 1972. The Seminar in Art Librarianship held at Syracuse University strengthened and fostered collegiality and networking of art librarians. The need for cooperative ventures developed both nationally and regionally.

On July 12, 1973 an organizational meeting was held in Buffalo to discuss the formation of a regional chapter of the Art Libraries Society of North America. Fifteen individuals attended this gathering hosted by Florence DaLuiso at the State University of New York at Buffalo. A full-day meeting offered the attendees a chance to discuss issues including; Who should belong to this chapter? (Limited by Geography/ Driving Distance) How often should the group meet? (Twice a year; Fall and Spring) How should the constitution be drafted? What will dues be? ($1.00) What name should the chapter be called? (BUFFART, Buffalo Chapter, Western New York/Ontario).

In September 1973, Judy Hoffberg, editor of ARLIS/NA Newsletter, visited the chapter in Syracuse on her several week sojourn throughout the country meeting with art librarians. Her inspirational talk announced the new and exciting events of the newly formed ARLIS/NA. Final decision on the name of the chapter established, ARLIS/Western New York, at the September 1973 meeting.

At the ARLIS/NA mid-year meeting on September 26, the Executive Board approved the proposal of the ARLIS/NA Western New York Chapter to change its name to ARLIS/NA Upstate New York Chapter. At the ARLIS Western New York fall business meeting on October 3, chapter members unanimously voted to officially change the name of their chapter effective January 1, 2014.

Charter Members