The digital “revolution” has been a major topic of public attention and discussion among librarians this year, as we are confronted by daily developments, announcements, and headlines related to ebooks. The transformation being brought about by digital media has been a strong emphasis of the Association as well. During the fall meeting October 21–23 at its Chicago headquarters, ALA’s Executive Board focused on how the Association can best help libraries adapt to this changing, increasingly digital world.
So far, the Association has developed a strong position on the importance, role, and needs of libraries in the ebook ecosystem. We have formed an Association-wide Digital Content and Libraries Working Group, representing libraries of all types. We are conducting a major environmental scan and are analyzing various economic models for ebook distribution and their impact on libraries. We are also offering new publications, webinars, and blogs devoted to practical issues and practical solutions to digital problems. We are working with publishers to make ebooks available—and affordable—for libraries.
While the digital revolution has made the most headlines, libraries are also undergoing other “transformations.”
A working session on transformation brought the ALA Executive Board and the executive committees of the Association’s 11 divisions together to discuss some of the specific changes that are occurring in libraries of all types. These include changing communities, changing facilities, changing collections, changing user expectations, and changing skills for those of us who work in libraries. The group also identified specific ways in which ALA and its divisions could help libraries meet these transformative challenges.
The Executive Board also continued work this fall on the transformation of the Association. Discussions focused on three common “threads” that appeared in a series of special reports presented to Council during Annual Conference in New Orleans: ALA conferences, ALA elections, and ALA membership.
The “transformation” of Annual Conference and the Midwinter Meeting that began two years ago continues at full speed, with the goal of making the conference experience even richer and more rewarding. Further changes in the conference schedule, approved by the board, will now bring the ALA awards presentation to a much broader audience as part of the President’s Program and a new Closing Session that will officially end the conference. Many changes, large and small, continue to be made in conference design in response to member feedback and suggestions. More and more content will be available virtually, more programs will focus on “breaking” issues, more opportunities will be available for conversations and networking, and more help will be available for attendees making their way through the bewildering, overwhelming experience of a first ALA Annual Conference.
The complexity of the ALA ballot, which for most members includes many candidates for Association-wide office, division office, and ALA Council, is a topic of perennial discussion. The board is continuing to look at ways the ballot can be made easier to use; ways in which members can more easily locate candidates by type of library, state, and interests; and creative ways in which candidates can share their interests and goals.
There is also a widespread interest in more joint ALA/state chapter membership options. The board took yet another step forward in this direction with the approval of a new joint library trustee membership. Now, library trustees who are not currently ALA members will be able to become members of ALA, the Association for Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations, and their state chapter with a single application and dues payment.
KEITH MICHAEL FIELS is executive director of the American Library Association, headquartered in Chicago.
