ALA Council 1

This meeting approved minutes from the ALA Annual in Washington. Nominations for the Council Executive Board and the Tellers Committee were announced. The final vote will be tallied and announced at ALA Council 3.

BARC (Budget analysis and Review Committee) reported that the Association finished another year in the "black". A report from the Presidential Task Force on Graduated Dues Structure (GDS) revealed that the thorough study required for assessing the implementation of GDS would cost over $500,000. There were several portions to the study. One will go forward - $45,000 for survey of members.



Reports from ALA President, Loriene Roy, President-Elect, Jim Rettig, Executive Director's Report, Keith Michael Fiels including a review of executive board actions since the 2007 Annual Conference, and implementation of the 2007 ALA annual Conference Council Actions. Any of these documents are available from me in hard copy or electronic copy.



Keith highlighted:

• The graphic design for the new website is available to be reviewed, and they are looking for feedback. There is a new web usability office to help members find information, and rollout will be at annual.


• They just received a Verizon literacy and gaming grant. There is a real value in promoting literacy through gaming.


• ALA got a lot of press on the Patriot Act.

Highlights of Executive Board Actions

• Approval of funds from the future fund to the Spectrum Scholarship Funds.


• Board approved office space for Choice Magazine in Meddletown, CT. This would save the Assocation money.


• There are exploring a change in the hours that vendors are here. The conference is shifting from Tuesday to Friday.


• A policy concerning fairness in campaigning in regards to the costs of running for the president.

Annual Conference Document Updates. Highlights include:

• Follow through of council resolutions will be more transparent.


• An establishment of a taskforce on member participation

New Business:

• A Resolution on member access to electronic lists of the ALA was supported in principle by most Councilors. Discussion on whether appropriate closed lists (like awards) are addressed in this resolution. The Chair of the Resolutions committee agreed with the writing of the resolution. However, the resolutation was referred for clarification. Melora Ranney Norman was the author of this resolution.