ALAOHChapCoun's Blog

Molly Raphael, President of ALA, presented Memorials and Tributes.  Memorials for Dorothy Broderick, D. Whitney Coe, John Minto Dawson, and Robert W. Houk were acknowledged, as were Tributes in honor of Jill Nishi, Lois Ann Gregory-Wood, Maryellen Trautman, William J. Boarman, and the Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography Award.

Henry Stewart, Chair of the Tellers, reported on the results of the Executive Board election.  With 150 ballots cast, Rob Banks, Alexia Hudson, and John Moorman were elected.

Pat Scales, Chair of the Intellectual Freedom Committee, presented the Committee’s report.  She highlighted that the Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) and the Committee have been very busy since Annual Conference.  The “challenge” database that has been maintained since 1990 has become very limited in the face of current software capabilities.  The OIF will be establishing a new, more sophisticated database that will be operational by fall 2012.  Additionally, the OIF will launch an awareness campaign to encourage the reporting of challenges to library materials. “Defend the Freedom to Read: It’s Everybody’s Job” is inspired by the artwork and public safety notices of World War II.  Supporting materials are available at www.ala.org/challengereporting. The OIF will again celebrate Choose Privacy Week, this year from May 1-7.  As part of the efforts, librarians and library workers are invited to participate in a survey that will measure librarians’ attitudes about privacy rights and protecting library users’ privacy.  It is available online at http://tinyurl.com/ALAprivacysurvey, is confidential, and will take about 15 minutes.

Sh presented a Resolution Opposing Restriction of Access to Materials and Open Inquiry in Ethnic and Cultural Studies Programs in Arizona – Resolved that the American Library Association: 1) Condemns the suppression of open inquiry and free expression caused by closure of ethnic and cultural studies programs on the basis of partisan or doctrinal disapproval; 2) Condemns the restriction of access to educational materials associated with ethnic and cultural studies program; 3)Urges the Arizona legislature to pass HB 2654, “An Act Repealing Sections 15-111 and 15-112, Arizona Revised Statutes” Relating to School Curriculum.  Council approved the resolution.

Eva Poole, Chair of the Committee on Legislation, presented the Committee’s report.  She shared that the 2012 Library Advocacy Day will be held May

She presented a Resolution Opposing the Research Works Act. Resolved, that the American Library Association 1) Urges the U.S. Congress to reject the Research Works Act, H.R. 3699, because it not only threatens future public access to federally funded research, but also nullifies the public access already provided to peer-reviewed journal manuscripts resulting from NIH funding; and 2) Reaffirms its support for the expansion of the NIH public-access policy to other federal agencies and departments.  Council approved the resolution.

She next presented a Resolution Opposing the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).  Resolved, that the American Library Association 1) Urges Congress to reject both the S. 968, PIPA bill in the U.S. Senate and H.R. 3261 SOPA bill in the U.S. House of Representatives because they compromise such fundamental rights as free speech, intellectual freedom, and privacy in an attempt to target foreign websites and combat online infringement overseas; 2) Opposes any legislation that compromises ALA’s core principles and stifles the dynamic, innovative potential of the global Internet.  Council approved the resolution.

Finally, she presented a Resolution on the Loss of Crucial Government Information.  Resolved, that the American Library Association (ALA) urges U.S. Congress to restore funding to ensure permanent no-fee public access to aggregated sources of government information; 2) Urges the establishment of a mandated process with adequate notification to include the opportunity for public notice and comment with consultation by librarians, researchers, small businesses and other appropriate stakeholders before decisions are made to discontinue access to current or historical information resources when the federal government initiates, significantly modifies, or terminates information products; 3) Urges Congress to require that agencies discontinuing access to current or historical information resources transfer the content and related functionality to the U.S. Government Printing Office or other public institutions that can ensure continued no-fee digital access to this information; 4) Urges Congress to improve the federal government’s policies and capabilities for making government information available to the public in an open, timely, participatory, and transparent manner.  Council approved the resolution.

Sha Li Zhang, Chair of the International Relations Committee Report, presented the Committee’s report.  Ninety-five international librarians in the 2012 Midwinter Conference.  The Committee has been busy developing activities to match the ALA 2015 plan.  The 2012 IFLA Conference will be held in Helsinki, Finland in August.   

Cynthia Czesak, New Jersey Chapter Councilor, introduced a Resolution on Publishers and Practices Which Discriminate Against Library Users - Resolved that the American Library Association opposes any discriminatory policies of publishers and distributors which adversely impact access to content by library users; and directs the Working Group on Digital Content in Libraries to review the situation and recommend appropriate action and/or appropriate parties who should be informed of this resolution.

Keith Michael Fiels, Executive Director of ALA, announced that conference attendance totaled 9,929.

President Molly Raphael adjourned the session.

Jim Neal, ALA-APA Treasurer, presented his report.  He highlighted the three areas of activity for ALA-APA:  providing national certification for library workers (Certified Public Library Administrator Program and Library Support Staff Certification Program); advocating for salaries and training for library workers; and providing reports and analyses (Library Salary Survey, Non-MLS Salary Survey, Library Salary Database).  He happily reported that ALA-APA experienced a gain in net revenue of nearly $30,153. 

Roberta Stevens, ALA-APA Past President, and Jim Rettig, ALA-APA Past President and Task Force Chair, presented a recommendation from the Presidential Task Force for Improving Effectiveness of ALA’s Council.  The recommendation is to amend the APA bylaws to abolish the APA Council and adopt other changes to the bylaws. Action will not be taken until the 2012 annual conference.

ALA President’s Report – Molly Raphael

In addition to her presidential initiatives in advocacy and diversity, Molly has focused on the following issues:

• successful completion of the Neal-Schuman acquisition;
• ensuring libraries’ access to digital content, particularly e-books;
• focusing attention on the importance of professionally staffed school libraries; and
• library funding issues, particularly for public and school libraries.

ALA President-Elect’s Report – Maureen Sullivan

Activities that have kept Maureen busy since her election have included:

• orientations with ALA staff;
• the committee appointment process (working with the Committee on Committees and the Committee on Appointments); and
• her presidential initiatives of:
  • The Promise of libraries in Transforming Communities
  • Leadership Development
  • Rethinking ALA: Ensuring that ALA Is the Most Effective Organization It Can Be.

ALA Executive Director’s Report – Keith Michael Fiels

Keith reported briefly on several issues and introduced new staff at ALA: Laurie Borman, Editor & Publisher of American Libraries and Ron Jankowski, Membership Development Director.

Budget Analysis and Review Committee (BARC) Report – Clara Bohrer, Chair

BARC has been very hard at work, analyzing 100 recommendations from five different task forces, including Young Professionals Task Force, Chapter Relations Task Force, Future Perfect Presidential Task Force, Task Force on Equitable Access to Electronic Content, and Presidential Task Force for the Effectiveness of ALA’s Council.  Each individual recommendation is in various stages of review and pending the availability of additional financial resources, implementation will proceed only on those with no financial impact. 

The Finance Workshop, an educational opportunity for those members interested in how ALA’s finances work, has presented several issues in recent years. 

• schedule conflicts make attendance difficult for members
• the material covered from year to year is generally the same
• the workshop usually is given four months into the fiscal year
• participants have extremely varied knowledge bases

To address these issues, BARC and ALA staff have developed four webcasts covering basic financial topics: operating agreement, long-term investments, budget cycle/process, organizational structure. Webcasts on more topics will be developed.  Members will be able to access and review these at any time at www.ala.org/onlinelearning/unit/finance.

ALA Endowment Trustees Report – Dan Bradbury, Chair

The investing environment in 2011 was extremely volatile.  The value of the endowment at 12-31-11 was $30.1 million. This represents a decline of $722,587 (1.6%) from $31.7 million last year. The endowment trustees will be recommending to the ALA Executive Board the establishment of a new International Relations Round Table endowment. It will provide necessary funds to support IRRT activities and initiatives that encourage international collaboration, raise the visibility of international opportunities,and promote a global dialogue about librarianship.

2012 ALA Nominating Committee Report – Vivian Wynn, Chair

Vivian Wynn presented the candidates for ALA President-Elect: Gina J. Millsap, Executive Director of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library and Barbara K. Stripling, Professor of Practice, Syracuse University.  She also presented the list of 2012 ALA Candidates for Councilor-at-Large.  Keith Michael Fiels presented additional candidates by petition for Councilor-at-Large.

Jim Neal, ALA Treasurer, presented his report .  The 2011 financial situation for ALA is about the same as it was in 2010.  Although revenue is down, the Association has made the appropriate adjustments to expenses.  ALA total revenues equaled $46,581,260 and total expenses equaled $46,741,997.   Net assets are up to $30,117,193.  Dues were down slightly while revenue from publishing improved.  He also identified a number of future issues for ALA budget planning, including: investing in technology (new systems and services); expanding the migration to electronic publishing distribution and business models; sustaining and growing membership; the impact of a new spending/payout policy for the endowment; and developing new products and services.  Finally, in the area of new business development, he stated that ALA is either active in or will explore possible business development in the following areas: electronic publishing, expanded publishing program, continuing education online, the international community, the public/library users, mergers and acquisitions, and planned giving.

He continued his report with an update on the acquisition of Neal-Schuman Publishing.  ALA conducted due diligence, an evaluation study, and created an extensive business plan.  After much study, internal consultation, and external consultation, ALA purchased the company for $7 million.

He also presented the FY2013 programmatic priorities that are in line with the 2015 ALA strategic plan, which Council approved:

John Moorman, Chair of the Policy Monitoring Committee, presented motions on the following:  change text in ALA Policy 8.5.1; change text in ALA Policy 5.3; and change in ALA Policies 5.5.2 and 7.4.10.  All motions reflected changes in text made necessary by actions taken at the 2011 Annual Meeting.  All motions passed. 

John Moorman, Chair of the Presidential Policy Manual Revision Task Force, highlighted several items from his report.  He emphasized that the task force continues its work in carrying out a thorough examination of the Policy Manual.

Jim Rettig, Chair of the Committee on Organization, presented his report.  The Educators of School Librarians Section of the American Association of School Librarians has recommended that one existing seat on the ALA Committee on Education be permanently allocated to a representative from AASL ESLS. Council approved this recommendation.

Kent Oliver, Chair of the Freedom to Read Foundation, presented his report.  He stated that the FTRF serves as the First Amendment defense arm of the American Library Association.  He reported that the FTRF adopted a strategic plan that addresses five action areas: awareness, litigation, education, engagement, and capacity building.  He also reported that the FTRF will be pursuing some membership initiatives in the coming months.  He very briefly reviewed results of litigation involving the freedom to read and litigation that the FTRF is monitoring.

Roberta Stevens, Immediate Past President of ALA, presented two nominations for ALA Honorary Membership.  This is the highest honor that the Association can bestow on an individual.  Honorary membership may be conferred on a living citizen of any country whose contribution to librarianship or a closely related field is so outstanding that it is of lasting importance to the advancement of the whole field of library service.  The nominees were Senator Jack Reed and Dr. Betty J. Turock.  Council approved the designation of Honorary Member for these individuals.

Keith Michael Fiels announced a current total registration of 9,935 at Midwinter Conference.

Maureen Sullivan, Chair of the 2011-2012 Committee on Committees (and ALA President-Elect), presented the 2012 nominations for   Executive Board election.  Three councilors are to be elected for three-year terms from the following candidates: Robert (Rob) Banks, Alexia Hudson, Bobbi Newman, John Moorman, Rosario Garza, and Karen Downing.  Gladys Smiley Bell was nominated from the floor.

Keith Michael Fiels, ALA Executive Director, reviewed Executive Board actions since the 2011 Annual Meeting.  Major actions included approval of the acquisition of Neal-Schuman Publishing and approving Columbus as the site of the AASL 2015 Divisional National Conference.  He also reviewed the implementation report on ALA Council actions taken at the 2011 Annual Conference.

Sari Feldman and Robert Wolven, Co-Chairs of the Digital Content and Libraries Working Group, presented a brief report on the work of the group to date.  The committee is made up of a cross-section of librarians. The group members will conduct the majority of their work through six subgroups over two years.

Keith Michael Fiels announced that total registration currently stands at 9,954.

Roberta Stevens, ALA President, presented Memorials, Tributes and Testimonials.  She read the following names for memorials: Edward Swanson, Patricia Wilson Berger, Christy Tyson, Peg Oettinger, Norman Horrocks, Virginia Mathews, Diane Gordon Kadanoff, Linda Jean Owen, Herbert Goldhor, Ursula Meyer, and Lane S. Thompson.  Tributes and testimonials were acknowledged for Lee Denney, Representative in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives; and ALA Conference Services and Gale Cengage Learning for Providing Shuttle Bus Service Accommodating Attendees with Disabilities.

Jim Neal, ALA Treasurer, presented his report.  He reviewed the FY2011 budget, the ALA long-term investment fund, ALA investments in new technologies, new business development strategies, the FY2012 budget, and a proposed change in ALA Policy 8.5.1.

As did the BARC chair, Jim provided a FY2011 budget update for an 8 month period ending April 30, 2011.  He announced that ALA will launch a planned giving campaign in the fall of 2011 that will offer the following giving instruments: bequests, retirement fund designations, life insurance designations, gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts.

He explained and moved a proposed change to ALA Policy 8.5.1, which would involve a change in the payout formula and language.   The new payout formula will be 3%-5% of the trailing five-year quarterly (20) rolling average of each fund’s net asset balance.  The change will make more dollars available, approximately $650,000, for use in scholarships, awards, program initiatives and general operations.  The change will make planning for and the budgeting of such funds much easier.  Council approved the new spending payout formula and changes in language.

Jim went on to outline ALA’s investment in new technologies and systems including a new financial/accounting system, a new web content management system, a  new e-commerce system, and hardware and software upgrades.  Additionally, he briefly discussed ALA’s effective financial management in a technology reserve fund.  New business development is another area that Jim presented.  ALA’s primary sources of revenue are membership, conferences and publishing.  New revenue streams are being sought in electronic publishing, online CE, expanding sales into the international community, delivering content and publications to the public/library users, and appropriate mergers and acquisitions.

Jim reviewed the programmatic priorities that Council approved at Midwinter.  He then reviewed that the budgetary ceiling equals net assets plus revenue and requested that Council approve a total budgetary ceiling for FY2012 of $62,912,676.  Council approved the ceiling.

John Moorman, Chair of the Tellers Committee, announced the winners of the election of the Council Committee on Committees: Aaron W. Dobbs, Peter D. Hepburn, Sara Kelly Johns, and Patrick Sweeney.  He also announced the winners of the election of Council Representatives to the Planning and Budget Assembly: at large – Karen E. Downing and Sol Antonio Gomez; chapter – Cynthia Czesak, Alexia Hudson, and Terri G. Kirk.

Julius Jefferson, Chair of the Intellectual Freedom Committee, presented the Committee’s report.  He presented a Resolution to Protect Library User Confidentiality in Self-Service Hold Practices:

Council approved the resolution.

He next presented on behalf of both IFC and the Committee on Legislation a Resolution to Continue Opposition to the Use of Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act and the Use of National Security Letters to Violate Reader Privacy:

Council approved the resolution.

Charles Kratz, Chair of the Committee on Legislation, presented the Committee’s report and five resolutions for Council’s approval.  Council approved all five.

Sha Li Zhang, Chair of the International Relations Committee, presented the Committee’s report.  ALA welcomed 400 international librarians from more than 60 countries to the Annual Conference in New Orleans.  Four library projects in Canada, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam were awarded with ALA Presidential Citations for Innovative International Library Projects. The 2011 International Federation of Library Associations Conference will be held in August in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Jim Rettig, Chair of the Presidential Task Force on Council Effectiveness, reviewed the Task Force’s recommendations one by one.  A motion was made to remove from the report Recommendation 4.1, which called for oral reports to be presented at Council sessions only when the reports required Council action or when requested by the Council or the Executive Board.  The Task Force cited the Freedom to Read Foundation report as a specific example of a report that has not proposed any action items for Council.  The motion failed.

Three recommendations needed voted approval from Council.  All three were approved by Council.

Recommendation 3.2: Resolved, that the ALA Council amends provision #6 of the “Content” section of Policy 5.3, to state that “Resolutions should clearly support ALA’s Strategic Plan as well as its mission and/or its core values; and add to the “Process” provisions of Policy 5.3 the statement that “A supplemental explanation consisting of one or more expository paragraphs should accompany every resolution clearly stating how the resolution supports ALA’s Strategic Plan as well as its mission and/or its core values. This supplementary explanation is not a part of a resolution proper.”

Recommendation 5.1: The Task Force has concluded that ALA can expand opportunities for members present at the Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference by combining the best of the Membership Meeting and the best of the Council/Executive Board/Membership information session.  This will require amendment of Policy 5.2.2 and Policy 7.4.10.  The Task Force proposed specific language changes to the two affected policies.

Recommendation 6.4: Resolved, that Council direct the ALA Executive Director to develop a proposal and budget to enable the ALA Council to conduct a self-assessment of its effectiveness.

Council next considered and approved a Resolution to Endorse the United Nations 16 May 2011 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression. The UN report is available at http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/17session/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf

Finally, a Resolution Recommending ALA Connect as the Official Online Document Distribution Channel and Archive was withdrawn.

Pam Klipsch, Missouri Chapter Councilor, thanked ALA for the support given to the librarians in Joplin, MO who were recently so affected by a tornado.

John A. Moorman, Chair of the Policy Monitoring Committee, presented the committee’s report.  The committee recommended the insertion of Policy 1.3.1 and the revision of Policies 1.4 and 1.5 into the ALA Policy Manual.  Council approved the recommendation.  The committee also recommended changing some of the text in the ALA Policy Manual in Policy 54.20. Council also approved this recommendation.

Tom Wilding, Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee, presented the Committee’s report.  He shared the following resolution:

Council approved the recommendation.  Tom next presented a recommendation to include an allowance for votes at virtual membership meetings since the move to such meetings has already begun.  The committee recommended the addition of a sentence to an existing section of the Bylaws covering membership meetings.  “Membership meetings may be held virtually, and the Executive Board shall establish the procedures for such meetings.” Council approved the recommendation.

Jim Rettig, Chair of the Committee on Organization, presented the Committee’s report.  The Committee recommended to Council a revision of the ALA-Children’s Book Council Joint Committee.  The recommended revision reads: To foster communication and collaborate on mutual opportunities, concerns, and issues regarding the content, format, distribution, and promotion of materials for children and young adults, including, but not limited to, the creation and dissemination of appropriate resources, as they relate to both the library and publishing communities.  Council approved the recommendation.

The committee also recommended approval of a new Games and Gaming Round Table. Council approved the recommendation.

Finally, the committee recommended that Council directs the ALA executive director and BARC to implement a number of steps aimed at collecting data that will help determine how the organization holds meetings in the future.  Some of the steps are modifying the volunteer interest form, experimenting with a hybrid meeting process, and assessing the results of the pilot study.  Council approved the recommendation.

Jim Rettig, Chair of the Presidential Task Force for Improving the Effectiveness of ALA’s Council, presented the task force’s report.  The task force identified that Council is an asset to the Association in its broad representation of the ALA’s members but also identified a number of changes that could be implemented to improve Council’s effectiveness.  Council voted to postpone discussion until Council III.

Kent Oliver, Chair of the Freedom to Read Foundation, presented the FTRF report.  He announced a very recent Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Entertainment Merchants Association.  In a 7 to 2 decision, the Court struck down the restriction of a California statue in regards to depictions or descriptions of violence.

Michael Porter, Co-Chair of the ALA Presidential Task Force on Equitable Access to Electronic Content Task Force, presented the task force’s report. The task force’s recommendations are: 1. Refer the report to BARC, the Executive Board and Executive Director to develop a plan to implement report recommendations; 2. Request the President and the Board to establish an ongoing group to address current and future issues of Equitable Access to Digital Content ona coordinated, association-wide basis. Council engaged in a lengthy discussion about next steps, with numerous pleas from councilors for ALA to address these issues as quickly as possible.  A motion to amend #1 was approved, with the new reading: Refer the report to BARC for review for fiscal implications, and to the Executive Board to develop a plan to implement report recommendations.  The results of BARC’s and the Executive Board’s work will be shared with Council by August 1, 2011. The amendment passed and subsequently Council approved the recommendations.

Therese Bigelow, Chair of the Orientation, Training and Leadership Development Committee, presented a resolution on revised guidelines for the ALA Intern Program: Resolved that the American Library Association (ALA) adopt the revised ALA Intern Program  Guidelines proposed by the Training, Orientation and Leadership Development Committee.  The guidelines are designed to clarify the role of the intern on the committee and the process by which an intern is appointed; and suggest responsibilities for intern appointments, such as duties on the committee, voting status, etc.  Council approved two amendments to the guidelines regarding who can be appointed as an intern and how many interns may be appointed to committees.  Council approved the recommendation as amended.

Keith Michael Fiels announced the most current registration figures:  14,858 attendees and 5,202 vendors, for a total of 20, 060.

Molly Raphael, Chair of the 2010-2011 Committee on Committees (and ALA President-Elect), presented the nominations for the 2011-2012 Council Committee on Committees election.  Four councilors are to be elected for one-year terms from the following candidates: Sara Kelly Johns, Nicolas H. Buron, Valerie P. Bell, Aaron W. Dobbs, Patrick Sweeney, Vicky Lee Schmarr, Shixing Wen, and Peter D. Hepburn.

Molly also presented the nominations for the 2011-2012 Planning and Budget Assembly Election.  Three Chapter Councilors and two Councilors-at-Large are to be elected from the following candidates: Chapter – Alexia Hudson, Cynthia Czesak, Sue Sherif, Sara F. Jones, Terri G. Kirk, and Suzanne Goodman; At-Large – Loida A. Garcia-Febo, Karen E. Downing, Susan Roman, and Sol Antonio Gomez.

Keith Michael Fiels, ALA Executive Director, reviewed Executive Board actions since the 2011 Midwinter Meeting.  Major actions including approving the budget, changing policy to permit for increased revenue to be made available from the ALA endowment, and a change to the schedule for next year’s conference to place the Council Information Session before the Membership Meeting.

Annelle Huggins, Chair of the Chapter Relations Task Force, presented the group’s report. The members were to: prepare recommendations related directly to the purpose of the Chapter Relations Committee; identify the integral components of ALA and the chapters and how they can help each other; and to examine the Chapter Relations Committee’s structure and operations and recommend ways to increase the Committee’s effectiveness and activity.  The Task Force developed a number of recommendations addressed to the ALA Council and Executive Board; to the Chapter Relations Committee; to Chapter Councilors; and to Chapter Leadership.  The full report is posted on the Task Force site on ALA connect.

Brent Bonfield, Chair of the ALA Future Perfect Presidential Task Force, presented the group’s report.  The members were charged with answering the following question: If there were no governing body currently in place, what structure would you envision that reflects ALA’s goal of an engaged and collaborative membership, the effective use of new technologies, and the changes in outlook and expectations occurring with the new generation of people working in libraries?  The goal for the group was to focus on the possible, not on the realistic.  The Task Force developed six areas of recommendations.  Those six areas are: the future of conferences in relation to ALA governance; merging Council and the Executive Board; committing to diversity through resource allocation and structural change; integrating ALA with its State Chapters; increasing transparency, accessibility and open communication; and legitimizing governance by increasing voting percentages and member engagement. The ALA Executive Board will review the report and bring back back reaction and comment to the next Council meeting

Council next reviewed a Resolution on Out of School Time Library Programs.

Resolved, that the American Library Association (ALA) (1) encourages our members to tell their legislators, as well as local and national organizations and associations, about the value of their library to Out of School library programs and (2) urges Library Directors, Trustees, School Board members and supervising government bodies to insure that libraries, of all types, dedicated the proper funding to insure that comprehensive Out of School library programs for all children and teens are maintained. Council approved the resolution.

Keith Michael Fiels announced that registration currently stands at 19,826.

Keith Michael Fiels, Executive Director of the ALA-APA, commented on the fine work accomplished by Jennifer Grady, the departing ALA-APA Director. 

Jim Neal, Treasurer of ALA-APA, presented the treasurer’s report.  He is projecting a net revenue of $39,963 for FY11 and explained that the outstanding loan from ALA will continue to be repaid.  He also reported a projected net revenue of $64,942 for FY12.  He asked for approval of the ALA-APA Fiscal Year 2012 Budgetary Ceiling of $271,988.  The request was approved.

The Certified Public Library Administrator program update highlighted the following: since the Midwinter conference in January 2011, 13 candidates were accepted into the program, 7 candidates submitted final reviews and graduated, and 52 course completion forms were submitted.

The Library Support Staff Certification program report highlighted that the program currently has 144 active candidates from 34 states and Bermuda.

The ALA-APA Standing Committee on the Salaries and Status of Library Workers report highlighted successes of 2010-2011, which included more than 900 friends on Facebook for National Library Workers Day.

Mario Gonzalez, Chair of the Budget Analysis and Review Committee, presented the Committee’s report.  He highlighted the following:

Dan Bradbury, Senior Trustee of the ALA Endowment, reported on ALA’s long-term investment fund.  After an explanation of many of the issues affecting the market, he was pleased to report that, as of May 31, 2011, the endowment fund stood at $33,472,00, which reflects a gain of 5.7% for the year to date. 

Roberta Stevens, ALA President, reviewed the past year.  She commented on a significant paradigm shift that has been occurring not only in librarianship but also in publishing. She expressed her belief that this is a critical time for strong advocacy programs, and highlighted the success of her presidential initiative, “Our Authors, Our Advocates.”  She also commented on “Cultivating Your Local Notables,” the “Library Quotes” database, the “Frontline Fundraising” online toolkit, and the “Why I Need My Library” contest.

She also reported on the work of the various task forces she appointed during her term: Council Effectiveness Task Force, Chapter Relations Task Force, Future Perfect: Envisioning ALA’s Governance in the 21st Century Task Force, and Equitable Access to Electronic Contest Task Force.

Molly Raphael, ALA President-Elect, presented her report.  She mentioned her two presidential initiatives in the areas of advocacy and diversity and visits she has been making to library schools around the country.

Keith Michael Fiels, ALA Executive Director, presented his report.  He announced a new promotional piece, “Connect with your kids @ you library,” that will be airing on the Lifetime Networks that encourages parents to take their children to the library.  Additionally, Scholastic Parent & Child magazine is donating full-color ads in six issues.  He also highlighted the ALA’s first Virtual Town Hall meeting, which had over 500 log-ins.