WolfSpace Repository (Stony Brook Univ.)

ALA Midwinter 2003 Report
Barbara Brand



 This is a brief report on new ideas and information gathered:

OCLC Institute Symposium: “Growing the Digital Library: From Project to Programs – Tips, tools, Collaborative Activities.”  Friday , Jan. 24

Geri Bunker Ingram, Consultant, Digital Library Development, spoke about desirable characteristics of individuals who “steward the transformation to the digital library.”  They will be mature individuals who have gone beyond concrete, abstract, and relational thinking to fourth-order thinking characterized by the ability to rise above a paralyzing array of ambiguities to reframe situations in multiple ways and objectively make ethical decisions.  I’m not sure I followed her all the way but liked the concept that age = wisdom even in technological areas where youth seems to have the edge.

Mark Lawrence Kornbluh, Director, MATRIX: The Center for Humane Arts, Letters, and Social Sciences Online,  Michigan State was the most interesting speaker.  He is a historian, interested in applying technology to the humanities.  Until recently MATRIX  has worked mainly with faculty on a variety of grant-funded projects.  He now sees such projects as dead-end since they are expensive, not interoperable, and not committed to maintaining and preserving digital information.   MATRIX is now working with archivists and librarians, who he believes have a broader vision than teaching faculty, to design and build digital repositories.  These repositories will plan for long-term preservation and access, use interoperable, distributive systems, and use and develop national best practice.  He described database software that MATRIX has developed to create modular projects.  This software is based on open-source software and will probably be available for no-cost license to non-profits.  He said a number of times that creating digital objects is the easy part.  Organizing and maintaining them is the hard part.

On a similar theme, Sherry and I attended the following:

OCLC Digital & Preservation Resources: CONTENT:dm – An Overview  Monday, Jan. 27
This was a sales pitch for OCLC’s digital content management system. This seemed similar to the software above.  It will import digital objects and facilitate creation of metadata and indexes.  It is built on Web and Internet standards.  Repositories can be combined for searching.  OCLC speakers were followed by demonstrations of projects created by satisfied users at the West Point library and a Cleveland academic library.  No prices were given out.  I have the impression that this is a product developed outside OCLC for which OCLC acquired the distribution rights.  OCLC acquired the distribution rights for ILLiad in a similar way.  I have a great deal of respect for OCLC’s acumen in promoting services that have broad appeal.  I think that this is something the Digital Team should look into.  I’m giving Jason my handouts.

Over the weekend I attended several meeting relating to RLG’s dropping of RLIN ILL software on June 30.  ILLiad is currently testing its ISO ILL messages with RLG’s ILL Manager.  We should not need additional software but I still don’t know whether the RLIN database will be maintained.  If not, we should rethink our membership.  Donna feels that the searchability of the database is a major benefit to us.  If it is no longer available the usefulness of our membership would decrease.  RLG has sold its ARIEL software to Infotrieve.  Since the software is used by thousands of libraries the quality of development and support provided by the new company is very important.  Of course, both RLG and Infotrieve promised everything would be fine.  ILLiad will be coming out with version 6.2 in March.  I decided to wait for Atlas to update our software from our present version 5 to version 6 until March.  Our move to Atlas as host of our ILLiad server is set for Feb. 8.  On Monday, Feb. 10 Raul will need to change the URL on the clients but nothing else will change until March.  

The only other item of interest was a discussion with representatives of Audible.Com of ways of making audiobooks available to our patrons.  Audible.Com has a large number of audiobooks available for download.  The library would set up a deposit account and purchase a few MP3 players and then could download books on request or we could burn CDs if we wanted to retain them.  We could set up a trial project for about $1,000.  Since we’ve had few requests, though, I’m not sure it’s worth the trouble.  



barbara

Statesman, V. 37, n. 38.

Black Students United 1-2

Statesman, V.14, n. 7.

isaac3439b.

Maryanne Vigneaux/Lib 
11/20/2006 03:40 PM
To Maryanne Vigneaux/Lib@SUNYSB
cc
bcc F.Jason Torre/Lib
Subject Happy Thanksgiving
ENJOY THE MOMENTS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
The frost is almost on the pumpkin ,
And we're drawing near to turkey day .
But the radio tells us gifting time  
Is swiftly on its way .
So what's there to do to keep the spirit bright
But eat a lot of turkey and then put up the lights ! 
The Director's Office received this Thanksgiving card today.  There are a few "old time" 
puzzles on it.   By the way the only answer given was for the weight of the 
turkey.  The answer is at the bottom of this e-mail. 
20 pounds
 


English

_ Happy Thanksgiving

Statesman, V.10, n. 26.

ING Retirement Services 
 Financial Markets Q’s & A’s 
September 16, 2008 
 
 
I. Name Confusion 
 
Recent news reports concerning American International Group (AIG) have prompted a number of 
inquiries as to whether AIG and ING are the same company, or are related to each other in any 
way. 
 
We would like to clarify the confusion that seems to exist regarding the similarity of company 
names.  AIG and ING are entirely separate companies and are not affiliated with each other in 
any way. 
 
II. Financial Stability of ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company 
 
Recent news reports about economic downturns and distressed financial institutions have 
prompted some of ING Retirement Services customers to inquire about the security of retirement 
plan accounts maintained with or serviced by ING companies.  ING recognizes that market 
conditions in the U.S. are creating uneasiness and uncertainty for our customers, plan sponsors, 
distribution partners, and other key stakeholders.  Please be assured that ING is actively 
monitoring the situation with the full array of its global resources. 
 
Account values will, of course, fluctuate with market conditions and are subject to change. As to 
the safety of the holdings themselves, however, we hope that after reading these materials, you 
will feel assured that your ING accounts are safe, secure and well protected.  
 
The responses to the questions set out below are intended to answer some of the specific 
questions we've received recently from employers and participants who have inquired about the 
security of their accounts.   
 
1.  My Plan’s investment options are made available through a group annuity or funding 
agreement with ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company (ILIAC). Exactly what can you 
tell me about ILIAC’s financial strength?  
 
ILIAC is a life insurance company subject to comprehensive regulation throughout the United 
States.  ILIAC is regulated by the state insurance departments for solvency and reserve adequacy.  
Provisions of the Connecticut Insurance Law are specifically designed to prevent insurers from 
overextending themselves to the point where they cannot meet their obligations to their 
policyholders.  The Insurance law requires insurers to value their assets and liabilities on a 
conservative basis and to have on hand, at all times, sufficient assets and liquidity to meet their 
obligations.  In addition, ILIAC reports its financial position to state regulators on a regular basis, 
its operations and accounts are subject to examination at regular intervals by the states, and the 
company’s investment activities are regulated on the basis of quality, diversification and other 
quantitative criteria to limit risk and foster returns.  
 
As of September 15, 2008, ILIAC holds financial strength ratings of A+ (superior) by A.M. Best, 
Aa3 (excellent) by Moody’s and AA (very strong) by Standard & Poor’s.  These ratings reflect a 
view that ILIAC has a very strong ability to meet its policyholder and contract obligations. 
  
ILIAC v. 9-16-08 
ING Retirement Services 
 Financial Markets Q’s & A’s 
 
 
 2
2.  How is my retirement plan account funded? 
 
Your plan account with ING may be funded in a number of different ways: 
 
• investments in separate account insurance products issued by ILIAC 
• investments held in a trust or custodial account with ING National Trust 
• guaranteed investments through the general account of ILIAC 
• a self-directed brokerage option held either at TD AMERITRADE, Inc. or through an 
ING Ultimate Account.  
 
If you are unsure about how your plan account is funded, please check with your plan sponsor, 
your local ING representative, or by calling the ING customer contact center at the number 
shown on your account statement.  
 
3.  Are my retirement plan investments protected from creditors of ING-affiliated 
companies? 
 
The holdings in your plan accounts are protected from creditors of ING. The nature of those 
protections differs, though, depending on the structure of the investment arrangement.   
 
a.    Separate account-based arrangements and the legal status of life insurance company separate 
accounts.  If your plan is funded through ILIAC separate account products, the company 
purchases investments (such as mutual fund shares and stocks and bonds) and allocates them to 
the separate account.  Under the insurance laws, the assets held in a separate account are not 
chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business of the insurer to the extent provided in 
the insurance contract. All of ILIAC’s insurance products issued in connection with our 
retirement plan business (401(k), 457 and 403(b) plans) provide for this protection. Hence, all 
customer assets allocated to the separate account are "insulated" from the claims of the insurer’s 
other policyholders and its general creditors.  That is, only contractholders with an interest in the 
separate account have a claim on the separate account assets.   
 
b.  The legal status of trust or custodial account assets.  To the extent your plan is funded by 
investment company products held with ING, those investments are held in trust or pursuant to a 
custodial arrangement by ING National Trust.  Trust and custodial account assets, by their very 
nature, do not constitute property of the trust institution that would ever be subject to claims of 
trust institution creditors.  This conclusion is attributable to a number of factors, including the 
nature and legal status of trust institutions and long standing statutory and common law 
separations and distinctions between general banking and trust services. 
 
c.  Fixed Account arrangements and the legal status of the life insurance company general 
accounts.  If your plan offers a Fixed Account or Fixed Plus investment option, it benefits from 
certain interest rate and other guarantees available through the company’s general account.  
ILIAC is required to maintain reserves sufficient to ensure its ability to meet all of its obligations 
to general account customers.  In our response to question 1, above, ILIAC’s financial strength 
ratings as of September 15, 2008 have been provided. 
 
Even in the very unlikely circumstance of any financial difficulty, the insurance laws are 
designed to make sure all policyholder obligations are satisfied. Let us explain:  Life insurance 
companies are excluded from coverage under the federal bankruptcy laws.  Instead, the states, 
ING Retirement Services 
 Financial Markets Q’s & A’s 
 
 
 3
including Connecticut, ILIAC’s primary regulator, have adopted laws governing insurer 
insolvency.  The Connecticut insurance laws also contain reporting requirements which are 
designed to give “early warning” of potential financial difficulty.  Sensing financial difficulty at 
an insurance company, the Connecticut Insurance Commissioner could intervene.  Under the 
Commissioner’s direction, we would expect the company to be managed with a view to meeting 
its obligations.  We would further expect the Commissioner to use discretion in managing 
payouts, with the objective of meeting claims as they come due, over time, in an orderly manner.  
If rehabilitation is ultimately determined to be impossible, the Commissioner could apply to the 
court for an order to liquidate, and ultimately dissolve the company.  It is only in liquidation that 
the question of general account claims priority becomes an issue.  After satisfaction of any 
secured claims, policyholder claims have a high priority (Class 3), following only the costs of 
receiver and guaranty association administration, but ahead of general (non-policyholder) 
unsecured claims. 
 
d.  The legal status of brokerage accounts.  If you invest in a self-directed brokerage account 
through your retirement plan, those investments are held either in a brokerage account at TD 
AMERITRADE or through an ING Ultimate Account, and would be subject to SIPC protection 
through the broker-dealer holding the securities.  If your account is held at TD AMERITRADE 
you can call them at 866-766-4015. TD AMERITRADE is a division of TD AMERITRADE, Inc.  
If you hold an ING Ultimate Account, you can call the phone number shown on your ING 
Ultimate Account statement. 
 
4.  Through my retirement account, I have investments in mutual funds that are advised or 
sub-advised by firms that are currently experiencing financial difficulties.  How are these 
mutual fund investments protected? 
 
These mutual funds are distinct legal entities, generally referred to as registered investment 
companies, and their investments are not subject to the claims of creditors of the advisor or sub-
advisor of the fund.  In addition, federal laws applicable to such registered investment companies 
strictly limit the investments a mutual fund may make in securities issued by or guaranteed by the 
advisor, sub-advisor or an affiliate. 
 
5.  Lehman Brothers affiliates, Lehman Brothers Asset Management LLC and Neuberger 
Berman Management, Inc., are sub-advisors to certain ING funds.   How will Lehman 
Brothers’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing affect these funds? 
 
As noted in question 4, mutual funds are distinct legal entities and, as a result, the financial 
condition of a company sub-advising a mutual fund should have no impact on the financial 
condition of the mutual fund itself.  A filing under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws is 
intended to permit a creditor to continue to run its business while it develops a plan of 
reorganization, so, at this time, Lehman Brothers Asset Management LLC and Neuberger Berman 
Management, Inc. will continue to manage the mutual funds.  The independent board of trustees 
of the ING mutual funds, as well as company management, is closely monitoring the situation, 
and will continue to do so to determine if the financial condition of the company will in any way 
impact its ability to sub-advise the mutual funds.  If necessary, a sub-adviser may be replaced if 
done so in compliance with certain legal requirements.  
 
ING Retirement Services 
 Financial Markets Q’s & A’s 
 
 
 4
6.  Is my account FDIC or SIPC insured? 
 
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insures all depositors at member banking 
institutions against loss up to a certain dollar limit, in the event that member bank fails.  The 
Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) protects brokerage firm customers who hold 
customer account assets.  Except as set forth in question 3 above, with respect to self-directed 
brokerage accounts, FDIC and SIPC are not an issue for your retirement plan assets because none 
of the plan's assets are maintained on deposit with a bank or in the account of a brokerage firm.  
As described above, the plan's assets are invested primarily in life insurance company separate 
account products, general account products, and/or investment company products held in a trust 
or custodial account. 
 
7.  Is my account insured by the PBGC? 
 
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) is a federal agency that insures defined 
benefit pension obligations made under private retirement plans, up to a monthly limit.  If your 
plan is a defined contribution plan, PBGC coverage does not apply.  Instead, your benefit is your 
plan account balance. 
 
 
 
Insurance products, annuities and retirement plan funding issued by (third party administrative services may 
also be provided by) ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company, One Orange Way Windsor, CT 06095. 
Securities are distributed by ING Financial Advisers, LLC (member SIPC) C08-0916-015R (09/08) 


Not a member yet

barbara

Statesman, V. 37, n. 38.

Black Students United 1-2

Statesman, V.14, n. 7.

isaac3439b.

_ Happy Thanksgiving

Statesman, V.10, n. 26.

ing

2005Dec05Minutes.

Elba, Hanne + home owner.

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