WALRC is also a funding source for publications which document the art historical collections of Washington area libraries. The Committee is currently accepting proposals for publications, according to the guidelines presented under Publication Guidelines.

WALRC got its start in 1973 as an informal gathering of art librarians in the Washington, DC area who met approximately six times a year to share collection development information. Librarians from the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum (then the National Collection of Fine Arts) / National Portrait Gallery Library, and the librarian from the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress discussed resource sharing, preservation and archival issues and the handling of visual resources and other non-book materials.

As the Committee expanded its membership, it was decided that there was a need for a vehicle to provide access to the serials holdings of member libraries. A Cafritz Foundation grant was obtained, and in 1981 the Committee published Art Serials: Union List of Periodicals and Serials in Research Libraries in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. This publication contained 5,500 entries and represented the holdings of 35 libraries.This publication is available for the cost of postage and handling.

Since 1981, the Committee has continued to meet to discuss collection development issues. Using the RLG Conspectus standards as a framework, member libraries have reported on specific areas within their collections; e.g., Latino art, African American art, caricature and cartoon, etc. These reports have proven extremely valuable to members as guidelines in developing their collections and providing bibliographies of major sources. Presently there are 19 member libraries in WALRC.

In the last five years, WALRC has been working to achieve objectives in new directions. With monies remaining from the original Cafritz Foundation grant and from sales of Art Serials, the Committee has established a funding source for publications which document the art historical collections of Washington area libraries.

Bylaws

Article I. Name

The name of the organization shall be the Washington Art Library Resources Committee (WALRC). It shall be referred to in the bylaws as “WALRC.”

WALRC is a voluntary, not for profit organization of art and architecture libraries and research institutions in the Metropolitan Washington area. The purpose of WALRC is to enhance and promote art research through collaborative development of library collections, service programs, and information technology.

Article II. Membership

Section I.
Members shall be representative of the art libraries of the Metropolitan Washington area. Members may be invited to join by the group or recommended by their institution with the consensus of the WALRC members.

Section II.
The membership year and the fiscal year shall begin October 1st and end on September 30th of the subsequent year.

Section III.
Annual dues shall not be assessed.

Article III. Officers

Section I.
The officers of WALRC shall be a president, a vice-president / co-president and a secretary / treasurer. These officers shall perform the duties prescribed by the bylas and by the parliamentary authority adopted by WALRC.

Section II.
All officers shall be elected at the final meeting of the election year to serve for two years. The term of office shall begin on October 1st.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of the president, the vice-president / co-president shall assume the office of president for the remainder of the term. Vacancies in the offices of vice president / co-president or treasurer shall be filled by a special election.

Article IV. Meetings

Section I.
Frequency of meetings shall be decided at the first meeting of the year.
Section II. Special meetings may be called by the president and shall be called upon the request of three members of WALRC. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. Except in cases of emergency, a minimum of ten calendar days' notice shall be given.

Section III.
A simple majority of the membership in attendance shall constitute a quorum.

Article V. Board of Directors
The officers of WALRC shall constitute the board of directors. The board of directors shall propose plans and prepare agendas for meetings.

Article VI. Committees

Section I.
WALRC committees, standing or special, and task forces may be appointed by the president or the board of directors with a charge developed and / or approved by the board of directors.

Section II.
The president shall submit an annual report. Standing committees shall submit an annual report to the board of directors through the president. Modification of a charge may be proposed at any time and submitted to the president for consideration and approval, modification or rejection by the board of directors.

Article VII. Record of Proceedings

The secretary / treasurer of WALRC shall keep a record of all proceedings at the meetings of the board of directors and maintain an archive of historical records.

Article VIII. Amendment of the Bylaws

The bylaws of WALRC may be amended at any regular meeting by majority vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing.

Drafted 5/16/96, revised and approved October 23, 1996.

Officers
Pat Lynagh, Co-Chair
Linda Tompkins-Baldwin, Co-Chair
George-McKinley Martin, Secretary/Treasurer
Elizabeth Harter, Past President