Membership Information Meeting

Topics covered in the meeting included Budget Analysis, ALA Endowment Trustees report, 2007 Nominating Committee report, and Diversity Counts report.

Highlights of the Budget analysis report include that there was an additional $1.0 million more revenue than budgeted. At a different meeting, Keith Michael Fiels, Executive Director of ALA, mentioned one of the intiatives he has proposed for using the additional revenues (some of which have come from the dues increase.) One of these initiatives involve making more resources and training available for advocacy for libraries. I have been in touch with Keith about the possibility of bringing a pre-conference to CAL on this topic. Long term investment (within its endowment fund) continues to increase reaching over $28 million as of 8/31/06. Of course, with an endowment fund, the goal is to keep that money growing so that the percentage that is taken out each year will continue to grow without putting a large dent in the core pot of money. The Association is shoring up its financial position.

Several questions were asked of the Nominating Committee concerning representation from sectors that seem to be under represented including front-line librarians and school librarians. Charles Kratz, chair of the committee, reported that extensive efforts were made to try and recruit members from this sector, but many were not able to offer their time and service. The 2007 slate of ALA Council candidates was also presented. Clara Sitter, Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Denver is running. Further information will follow on this.

An extensive report on diversity was showcased and next steps are being looked at. One of these steps include looking at hiring a new director for an Office of Diversity (perhaps with another title.)