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From the President: What's Going On!
It's been a while since I've blogged, since it's a busy time of year. It's also been a busy time for CLA, and I don't think it will get any easier until after ALA. I'm looking forward to visiting Anaheim and hope that you will be able to take advantage of the national conference, even if it's just to visit the exhibits for a day.
As we prepare for ALA's visit to the West, CLA made sure that you can find out about programs of particular interest to California libraries. Visit the "ALA in California" message boards to post programs that you feel no one should miss, find a roommate if you need one, and arrange to meet up for coffee. Be sure to keep checking back - new items are added all the time.
The ALA message board is just one of a few message boards that serve as a way to connect with others around specific interests. I hope that you will look at them and take advantage of this useful resource.
One of the programs that CLA is co-sponsoring is one that is of critical interest to all California libraries: "School Libraries in Crisis: Why Everyone Should Care." This Advocacy Institute will feature the "Spokane Moms", who successfully advocated for state-level school library funding in Washington, as well as other speakers (including myself) discussing why school libraries are important for everyone, and how to be the best advocate possible. What's especially great about this program is the price: it's $75 for the Institute, but they have a deal to pay $100 to attend the Institute AND ALA! This special deal for advocates can include your staff, boards, commissions, friends, foundations, and elected officials who can benefit from attending. And there is still time to register! The deadline is June 20.
A few more items to take note of:
1. Of interest to California: The Institute of Museum and Library Services has posted an article on its website regarding the value of the "Guardians of Language, Memory, and Lifeways" tribal conferences and institutes.
2. Also, July 15-17 is the "Caring for American Indian Objects" Institute. Taught around the fabulous book of the same name, edited by Sherelyn Ogden with the Minnesota Historical Society, the Institute features many of the contributors to the book. A full schedule is available at www.tribalconference.org. This is a rare and unique opportunity to learn from the nation's top experts.
3. Don't miss out on a leadership development opportunity! Apply by June 20 for the CLA scholarship to participate in ALA's Emerging Leaders Program. It's valued at $1,500, and applications will be reviewed at the end of June. Make sure that you see if you are eligible and that you apply.
Last, the Executive Committee met by phone to approve a couple of items: replacing windows at the CLA offices and finalizing the Bylaws to go to the membership for a vote. Both items were passed, to get the work done in a timely manner. You may have noticed that you have not yet received a ballot for this year's election. Because of the work involved with the extensive Bylaws revisions needed to put a reorganization in place, this has been put off for a few weeks. The ballot will appear soon, and I encourage you to participate and vote. Executive Committee meets again at the Friday of ALA.
Posted by Monique le Conge, 2008 CLA President on June 13, 2008 3:29 PM | Permalink