The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF) voted to change the organization’s title to “United for Libraries: the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations.”The name change will become official on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012.

Link to this press release:

8:00-12:30 Dallas Convention Center – C2-C4
ALA Council III

Election results: Robert Banks, Alexia Hudson, John Moorman

Memorials, Tributes and Testimonials

FY2013 Programmatic Priorities

Reports from the Tellers

Constitution and Bylaws Committee (Steven K. Bowers, Chair)

CD #19 Intellectual Freedom Committee (Pat R. Scales, Chair)
There will be changes to the challenge database which collection challenges nationwide. Launching a campaign “Defend the Freedom to Read” to get challenges reported. There is a Choose Privacy Week, May 1-7 and there will be a survey to take. They updated the Internet Toolkit. It has tips for managing communication on the Internet.

Resolution in support of intellectual freedom in Tucson Unified School District Mexican American studies program.
Changed to: Resolution opposing restriction of access to materials and open inquiry in Ethnic and Cultural Studies Programs in Arizona.
• Resolved that ALA 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
• Condemns restriction of access to educational material associated with ethnic and cultural studies programs
• Urges the Arizona legislature to pass HB 2654 “an act repealing section 15-111 and 15-112, Arizona Revised Statutes relating to school curriculum
Approved

CD #20. Committee on Legislation (Eva Poole, Chair)
National Legislation Day will be April 23-24 in Washington, DC
Resolution opposing the Research Works Act
• Urge congress to reject HR3699 because it restricts future access and nullifies public access to already provided to peer-reviewed manuscripts resulting from NIH funding.
• Reaffirm its support for the expansion of the NIH public-access policy to other federal agencies and departments
Approved

Resolution opposing the Preventing Real Online threats to economic creative and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011 (PIPA) and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)
• Urges Congress to reject both bills 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.
• Oppose any legislation that compromises ALA’s core principles and stifles the dynamic, innovative potential of the global internet.
Approved

Resolution on the loss of crucial government information
• Urges Congress to restore funding to ensure permanent no-fee public access to aggregated sources of government information
• Urge prior notification to libraries… before termination
• Urge Congress to require transference of historical information to GPO…
• Urge 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.
Approved

Apparently there are plans by the White House to continue to move in the direction of not providing or maintaining information such as the documents that prompted this resolution.

CD #18. International Relations Committee (Sha Li Zhang, Chair)
A number of activities that took place during the year were reported on.

Resolution on Publishers and Practices Which Discriminate Against Library Users
• Resolved that ALA opposes any discriminatory policies of publishers and distributors which adversely impact access to content by library users
• Resolved that ALA directs that 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
Approved

6236 registraton 3693 exhibitors – total 9929
Last year 7549 and 3575 – total 11,124
Previous year 8526, 3967 – total 12,493

MONDAY—Jan 23

10:00-12:15 Dallas Convention Center – C2-C4
ALA Council II
Balloting will take place after the executive board candidates forum; ballot box is taken back to ALA Office and will be open until 4:30 PM to vote

Report from ALA Treasurer James (Jim) Neal
Audited financials: revenue is down by $160,377; conference income is down by $5,900,000 and it often varies dependent on location. As revenue has dropped, ALA has tried to reduce its expenses. ALA has assets of $69,542,806. Net revenue shortfall of $437,000. Net revenue pattern as been a decline of 20.7%. To run ALA it cost $9,366,604 for 2011. They drew $154,000 out of reserves to cover some of the shortfall. Similar patterns apply to the divisions of ALA. ALA is holding money out in reserve partly due to concern that there will be only one division conference (e.g. ACRL) in 2013 fiscal year. There is a limit to which we can reduce our expenses unless we change the character of the organization.

Neal-Schuman. Negotiations have taken place for 2 years. It would contribute significant positive revenue to ALA with completion of purchase 10 years from now. It should be supportive of our publishing and educational programs such as webinars. It cost $7,000,000. After 90 days of a severance package, ALA will have 5 employees for publishing and be located near staff doing similar functions in ALA.
About 2000 a year are transitioning to continuing membership which means they pay no dues – retirement or more than 25 years.

CD 13. Programmatic priorities for ALA.
Diversity, equitable access to information and library services, education and lifelong learning, intellectual freedm, advocacy for libraries and the profession, literacy, organizational excellence. Approved

CD #17. Policy Monitoring Committee Report (John A. Moorman, Chair). PMC is to take work from the previous council that shoud be in the policy manual and record it there.
Action #1. Motion to address long term investment funds.
Action #2. Resolutions should clearly support ALA’s strategic plan
Action #3. At each MW meeting, there shall be at least one session of Council with the Executive Board for information only. Any member of ALA may participate.
All approved

CD #10. Policy Manual Revision Task Force. Read the document. Action to take place at Annual.

CD #27 Committee on Organization. AASL asked to add a nonvoting member from AASL to the ALA Committee on Education. Approved.

CD #22. Freedom to Read Foundation Report (Kenton L. Oliver, FTRF President) They have adopted a new strategic plan. Awareness, litigation, education, engagement, and capacity building are focus areas.
The fact that NDLA was one of the 6 groups that received a grant from the Judith F. Krug fund was included in the report.

New Business

ALA Honorary Membership Nominations (ALA Immediate Past President Roberta A. Stevens). Work is so outstanding that iis of lasting importance to the advance of the whole field of library science without question.
Senator, Jack Reed
Dr. Betty J Turock

9935 attendees.

12:30-1:30 Dallas Convention Center – C2-C4
ALA Membership Meeting – Executive Board Candidates
ALA Executive Board Candidates Forum. The forum is designed to allow the Council members an opportunity to hear the views and ask questions of the Executive Board candidates prior to voting, which will opens immediately following the forum. I listened to the candidates and voted.

SATURDAY—Jan 21

9:00-10:00PM Omni – Katy Trail
Council Reception Honoring re-elected and newly elected councilors – Chapter Councilor

Talked with Nan Blaine Hillyard and the new councilor for South Dakota Vicki Mix

SUNDAY—Jan 22

9:00-10:00 Dallas Convention Center – C2-C4
ALA Council /Exec Board/Membership Information Session

ALA-APA Council documents are now posted on ALA Connect on the ALA Council page (includes Annual Conference minutes and vote tally) and the ALA-APA website (does not include minutes or vote tally, which haven’t been approved) – http://ala-apa.org/about-ala-apa/governing-documents/board-and-council-documents/

Reports from the ALA Budget Analysis and Review Committee (Clara Bohrer, Chair), ALA Endowment Trustees (Daniel J. Bradbury, Chair), 2012 ALA Nominating Committee (Vivian Wynn, Chair).

Reports from the ALA President Molly Raphael, and ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels

CD #29. President-elect. Maureen Sullivan feels we really need to re-think and re-structure ALA. Among the factors are presidential initiates and reports such as Future Perfect Presidential Task Force Report and Report of the Presidential Task Force for Improving the Effectiveness of ALA’s Council and the ALA Young Librarians Working Group, the current budget situation; the ambitious goals set for in ALA 2015, etc.

CD #23. Executive Director. The report was distributed and I have a copy.

CD #33 Budget Analysis and Review Committee (Clara Bohrer, Chair). Total revenue budget adjustments. Interest earned increased above budget. ALA intends to maintain programs, retain staff with 2% salary increase despite decrease in revenue. The revenue was less than budget by $361,641. This is less than the same time last ear. Dues and publications income was down. BARC will be monitoring income and expenses carefully over the year. BARC’s role in the purchase of Neal-Schuman. BARC set a proviso that those involved in the negotiations obtain the best financial terms for the Association. Little or no growth is projected in revenues for the next fiscal year. BARC studied several task force reports. Three could be implemented with no additional funds. Two would require additional funds. The white papers on “mega issues” that need to be addressed the plans for ALA to conduct a self-assessment, will incur costs. The report on Equitable Access to Electronic Content specifies and Project Coordinator. The Finance Workshop Update that had been an in-person meeting has now been developed into a set of 4 webcasts. http://ala.org/onlinelearning/unit/finance and http://ala.org/onlinelearning/unit/governance
There is also http://www.youtube.com/user/AmLibraryAssociation#g/c/4234E31B4C2D3EE9

CD #16 Endowment Trustees report. Many world events affected the markets. By the end of 2011 every world index was in negative territory. Endowment funds went from $31,668 to $30,958 a loss of 1.6%.

CD #26 Nominating. It includes the list of people for the member-at-large elections. Petitions can be filed with Michael Fiels to request to be considered for election as member-at-large, up to 25 people. Vote Mar 19-Apr 27. May 4 results will be posted. Discussion that took place on the listserv about nominating sitting councilor was addressed. There is a guideline document with suggestions for the work of the committee, but it is not policy.

Registration: advance 4823, onsite 1465, with total 6288; exhibitors 3269, 397, total 3666. Total 9954 of all so far for 2012 Dallas. Last year San Diego was 10713 and Boston was 11526

10:15-11:00 Dallas Convention Center – C2-C4
ALA-APA Council Information meeting – CONFLICT unless I take a cab back

“…[T]he Council Effectiveness Task Force recommends that, in accordance with the provisions of the ALA-APA bylaws, the ALA-APA Board of Directors take action no later than its fall 2011 meeting to make a motion that the ALA-APA Council amend the APA bylaws to abolish the APA Council and adopt the following changes in the ALA-APA bylaws. The ALA-APA Council could debate and act on that motion at the 2012 Midwinter Meeting in Dallas.”
3 docs saved; will be discussed at Annual

11:15-12:30 Dallas Convention Center – C2-C4
ALA Council I – Conflict with CaMMS EXEC

Nominations for the Council Executive Board Election (ALA President-Elect Maureen Sullivan)

Appointment of the Tellers Committee for the ALA Executive Board Election

Review of ALA Executive Board actions since the 2011 Annual Conference (Keith Michael Fiels, Executive Director) Document saved.

Report on Implementation of the 2011 ALA Annual Conference Council actions (Keith Michael Fiels, Executive Director)

Council candidates
Robert Banks, Alexia Hudson (Abington), Bobbi Newman (Iowa State), John Moorman (Willliamsburg), Karen Downing, Rosario Garza (Southern California Library Coop)

8:30-10:00p Omni – Cedars
Council Forum 1 – rodney.lippard@rccc.edu, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Primarily discussed the Resolution on Publishers and Practices Which Discriminate Against Library Users

The American Library Association (ALA) applauds the numerous websites that have taken to the Internet to protest two Congressional bills – PIPA and SOPA – in a very public way. By either going dark or brandishing their website with a black box, sites such as Wikipedia, Reddit, Craigslist, Google, Tumblr and many others, are demonstrating in a very real way the potential impact of these bills.
The day-long blocking of websites highlights the outright denial of access to information these bills would likely impose. Ironically, for two bills that are supposed to combat “foreign” counterfeiting or copyright infringing, today’s demonstration highlights how they would likely hit home right here in the U.S.
The ALA is on the record http://www.districtdispatch.org/2012/01/pipa-sopa-and-open-act-quick-reference-guide/ having taken a strong stance in opposition to these bills and we also constructed the PIPA, SOPA and OPEN Act Quick Reference Guide http://www.districtdispatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ala_sopa_pipa_open1.pdf (pdf). In addition, the ALA deplores any legislation that would incentivize and likely increase surveillance of online activity promoted by these bills. These bills, if passed, would likely blanket Internet activity with an immediate chilling effect – on first amendment free speech rights, intellectual freedom and privacy rights, among others.
Corey Williams
Associate Director
Office of Government Relations

The ALA Washington Office has just posted information about the FY 2012 budget bill that has gone to the President’s desk. Good news for libraries:
In the new federal budget, congress appropriated $28.6 million for literacy. A minimum of half, or $14.3 million must go to low income school libraries while the rest of the money will go to national not-for-profits that work for childhood literacy.
And for those of you who work with LSTA funds:
This budget appropriates money for the Institutes of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) which includes $185 million for LSTA funding. This is a 2.3 percent cut from the FY ’11 amount of $189 million. Under LSTA; Grants to States was appropriated at $156.6 million….
Read the entire post here: http://www.districtdispatch.org/2011/12/congress-passes-fy-2012-budget/

ALA has moved forward with establishing a new Digital Content and Libraries Working Group. We see this as not only a needed step coming out of the EQUACC Task Force but also supporting the “Transformation of Libraries “ priority in ALA’s 2015 Strategic Plan.

New digital forms of information offer rich and extraordinary opportunities for libraries to expand community access to information and to revolutionize in positive ways the relationship between libraries and users. At the same time, these new forms of digital content pose new challenges for libraries.

As libraries struggle to meet these challenges of providing digital content in an environment characterized by significant uncertainty and changing on a daily basis, there is a need for this Association-wide group of experts, broadly representative of the many constituencies within the library community, that can proactively address these digital content opportunities and issues at the highest level and from both a policy and practical perspective.

To this end, the ALA Digital Content and Libraries Working Group will be charged to:

• Advise the Association regarding opportunities and issues related to libraries and digital content and the provision of equitable access to digital content for all.
• Explore, analyze and share information on various options for expanding access to digital content for libraries and the public and for overcoming legal, technological, policy and economic barriers to equitable access

• Suggest information and training that would be of use to librarians so that they can make informed choices, serve as advocates for digital access, and design and support digital services.

• Advise the Association on efforts to increase public awareness and understanding of issues related to access to digital content and the challenges to/role of libraries in providing equitable access to digital resources.

• Assist in the identification of strategies to influence decision makers—whether government officials, publishers, other information service providers, interest groups, and others—to effect changes that would assist libraries in better serving their communities.

• Address specific issues such as Business Models, Accessibility, Privacy, Education for the Library Community, Public Outreach and Publisher/Service Provider Relations through working subcommittees, bringing in other experts and advisors as appropriate.

• Serve as formal liaisons to various ALA and ALA affiliate groups (examples would include the divisions, round tables, ethnic affiliates, and ALA Accessibility Assembly).

• As appropriate, reach out to other organizations and experts in other fields in order to better understand the broad technological, social and economic environments and trends and their potential impact on libraries

Working Group members have been selected based on their high level of expertise and range of experience regarding libraries and digital content, and to be broadly representative of the various constituencies within the Association and library community and various types of libraries and library situations. A list of members of the new Working Group is attached as well as additional details on the Working Group’s scope of work and proposed responsibilities. We are grateful for their willingness to serve and especially for the willingness of the two co-chairs , Sari Feldman and Robert Wolven, to lead this very important effort. ALA President-elect Maureen Sullivan has volunteered to serve as the Executive Board’s liaison.

Best regards,
Molly

Molly Raphael
President, American Library Association

As you know, ALA operates on a fiscal year that ends on August 31st. Because of the complexity of the ALA budget, which reflects hundreds of thousands of transactions and adjustments each year, the unaudited year end results are first available just prior to the Fall Executive Board meeting in October.

ALA ended the 2011 fiscal year with a small net operating loss of about $250,000 on an overall budget of $46 million. This total ALA budget includes the general fund units, divisions, round tables grants, and endowment earnings. This $250,000 is actually more than $1 million better than planned, as 2011 was a “spend down” year for AASL and PLA in anticipation of their conferences in 2012.

The general fund units, including ALA’s offices, Conference Services, Publishing, Governance, and support units also ended the year with a deficit. This deficit was roughly $300,000 on the $26 million general fund budget.

As has been the case for many libraries, 2011 once again proved to be a difficult year. While some revenue sources, such as advertising, showed signs of recovery, other areas such as interest income declined. While a year end deficit was anticipated as early as April, the Executive Board made the conscious decision then that we would use reserves to cover the deficit. These reserves have been built up over the last decade to provide for just such a situation.

Because of the unusual economic uncertainties we continue to face, we also made the decision to adjust our 2012 budget in October in light of final 2011 revenue figures. To this end, ALA managers have been working over the last month to trim our FY2012 general fund budget by $1 million— from $28 million to $27 million – in order to insure a balanced budget this year This revised 2012 budget figure is based on lower revenue expectations, in light of our final 2011 numbers.

I am pleased to report that we have been able to make these budget reductions without any layoffs. In addition, I am happy to report that we have been able to retain our planned 2% salary increase for ALA staff, who have not received an increase in two years.

This third round of budget reductions will have an impact on the Association, however. Four additional positions that are currently unfilled will be “unfunded”, and the reductions will also affect some parts of the Association that have not seen reductions to date, including the Washington Office, ITTS, and the Office for Intellectual Freedom. In making these reductions, we have placed a priority on maintaining programs and services for libraries and members, and on continuing to move ahead on the strategic goals of the Association. ALA member leaders, managers and staff continue to find creative ways to increase productivity, while re-evaluating every process and activity in light of limited resources.

A more detailed report on the 2011 Year End Results and 2012 budget will be forthcoming soon from Treasurer James Neal.

Keith Michael Fiels
Executive Director

Memorial resolutions included Edward Swanson.
Tributes

Treasurer’s report (13.4)
Income is less than budget. Expenses have also been less but it still results in an overage. It is possible ALA will need to use money in reserves anywhere from $154,000 to $375,000 (projection is $891,000 but if internal adjustments can be made they believe the reserves may be needed). Fiscal year ends in Oct. Investments have resulted in $33,471,467 in long-term investment. This fall a planned giving campaign is being to attempt to increase funds. 8.5.1 recommended change: new payout formula (3%-5% of the trailing 5-year quarterly) that will be less affected by market ups and downs and make about $650,000 available. They are moving to new software for financial/accounting systems. Looking to establish the resources that support the strategic plan and delivery of programs that are responsive to member needs and support the improvement of library service. It is to address key areas: diversity, equitable access to information and library services, education and lifelong learning, advocacy for libraries and the profession, literacy, organizational excellence, intellectual freedom, transforming libraries. Budgetary celing: $62,912,676.

Elections
Committee on committees: Aaron Dobbs, Peter Hepburn, Sara Kelly Johns, Patrick Sweeney
Representatives to the Planning and Budget Assembly: Karen Downing, Sol Antonio Gomez, Cynthia Czesak, Alexia Hudson, Terri Kirk.

Intellectual Freedom committee (19.2)
Resolution to protect library user confidentiality in self-service hold practices. (19.3) Passed.
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 (19.4). Passed.

Committee on Legislations (20.6)
Resolved, that ALA urge Congress to reaffirm the US GPO mission in providing no-fee permanent public access to govdocs. (20.8). Passed
Resolved that ALA urges the US Dept of Commerece to reinstate full funding for the US Census Bureau’s Statistical Compendia Branch and its products (20.9). Passed
Resolved that ALA urges Congress to recognize the importance of school libraries by retaining the authorization of Improving Literacy through school libraries. (20.10) Passed
Resolved that ALA urges Congress and the President to fund the Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) at $232 million for FY 2012. (20.11) Passed.
Resolved that ALA urges Congress to include libraries in its reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act. (20.12) Passed.

International Relations Committee report to council (18.2)
ALA has eliminated 35 positions in the last few years. That left a part time person in the International Relations Office. They are looking if small amounts of other areas can be allocated to international relations.

Collected $1900 for Spectrum Presidential Initiative during ALA

Council Effectiveness Task Force (45)
Focused on ALA Council (different from Future Perfect envisioning). 1. In the What’s Happening document Mary Geikas can include Council information but some things would never be available until after conference begins. The TF recommends that use of the document be expanded as much as possible to include Council information. Committee training should be available to leaders in an orientation session on how to communicate. Greater use of ALA Connect should be encouraged as a communication method.
2. Members need a way to communicate with Councilors. It might be a capwiz or some means on ALA connect that members can communicate. 3.1 suggests we always get a copy of the strategic plan for each conference. 3.3 suggests a “time out” maybe at the back for wordsmithing of resolutions rather than serial editing with numerous amendments. 4.1 This recommendation considers not including informational reports in Council – later perhaps move those to the information meeting. There was a motion to remove the recommendation from the report. It failed. 6.2 suggests there could be time in council II for discussion of a “mega-issue”.

Resolution to Endorse the United Nations May 16, 2011 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Expression. Passed

Resolution Recommending ALA Connect as the Official Online Documentation Distribution Channel and Archive. Passed.

Policy Monitoring Committee (17.1)
Revisions were made to the policy manual. 1.3.1, 1.4 and 1.5. A section referring to partners was removed.

Constitution and Bylaws Committee (25.1)
Proposed change in bylaws to election rules regarding a vacancy resulting from a withdrawal of a candidate during the election process. They also addressed how to incorporate the possibility of voting in virtual meetings. Procedures and quorums are addressed elsewhere. Membership meetings may be held virtually, and the Executive Board shall establish the procedures for such meetings.
Unexcused absences by councilors-at-large is something they decided not to address but there should be no aspersions cast on those who show up, vote, etc. but may not speak at the microphone.

Committee on Organization (27.2)
The charge of the Joint American Library Association-Children’s Book Council Committee be revised.
They approved creation of the Games and Gaming Round Table.
The Committee proposed to set up a test of a series of step to allow voting when some people are present at ALA and some are virtual. They need to determine costs.

Council Effectiveness Task Force (45)
It is noted that Council is a wonderful cross-section of the entire membership. Meetings are resolution and committee report driven. Council focuses the direction ALA takes in its actions. Communication could be improved (make more use of ALA Connect). Time is another issue so perhaps not have reports at meetings that don’t have action items and the strategic plan should be included with council documents to remind us what we are working on. They looked at the criticism that Council spends too much time on no-so-relevant topics, so they proposed allowing input from the general membership. There should be a self-assessment of council undertaken. Some issues were distressing and the documentation was confusing so it was moved to postpone until Council III.

Councilor Ridler announced:
There is a mechanism being provided to allow those needing ADA-related assistance using a computer to get services no matter what computer that try to access. Software exists in the cloud where a user creates a password they can use anywhere, then designate if they need JAWS or closed captioning.

EQUACC (41.1)
Recommend an environment scan, address licensing, public relations to let people know they have rights to e-content, accessibility needs to be addressed, and that model projects might help focus the issues.
Funds have been set aside to hire an economist to look at the environmental scan and other issues, so ALA has become of the work out of OITP. Fiels would like to see some principles attached to the report. A new group needs to be appointed and they will be appointed by Sept. 1. They will look to more ALA committees for input and ALA and BARC will look at existing resources. The recommendation to go to BARC seemed like they would implement a plan, but they will just give advice as to financial resources that ALA could provide. Committee of the Association or Council can be formed and incoming president will be looking for broad representation in membership. Vendors are wanting to know who we are giving ebook access to and vendors are controlling which titles, how many, how long, we can have access.
Refer to BARC for fiscal implications and Executive Board to develop a plan to implement report recommendations. Results be shared by Aug. 1, 2011.

New business
Resolution on intern program guidelines (50)
The crux of the change was to clarify voting privileges and the guidelines don’t say whether a committee or can’t/should or shouldn’t have interns. A committee can have 2 and terms can be no more than 2 years. The normal assumption is to appoint them as a vacancy occurs if they have successfully served.
The guidelines apply only to ALA level and Council committees. At the Division level, Divisions can determine intern guidelines. I assume then you could be an intern in ALCTS (within which you can be an intern only once) but it would’t “count against you” to be an ALA-level intern. However if you have been elected at the division level, you can’t be an intern at the ALA level.

Announcements
14858 members 5202 vendors = 20060