"If there were no governing body currently in place, what structure would you envision that reflects ALA's goal of an engaged and collaborative membership, the effective use of new technologies, and the changes in outlook and expectations occurring with the new generation of people working in libraries?" That was charge of the ALA Future Perfect Presidential Task Force, chaired by Brett Bonfield, who presented some mind-opening, yet controversial recommendations which would forever change the Association's governance.
In this video, Bonfield future explains the group's charge and the recommendations that brought comment from many Councilors not heard from in previous sessions. Among the ideas are: providing more options for virtual conference attendance; live video and audio streaming of all conference sessions; and conferences hosted in additional cities and sites. Of the most innovative recommendations brought forward were the elimination of Council and expansion of the Executive Board as well as allowing members to join ALA and their state library associations at the same time. Other ideas include providing streaming access to meetings and the reconfiguration and division of the election ballot to increase the percentage of members engaged in the voting process.
In the lone Council action, a measure urging support of Out-of-School Time library programs in all libraries for children and teens was passed.
Meanwhile, the ALA-Allied Profession Association (ALA-APA) Council gave the nod to the fiscal year 2012 budgetary ceiling of $271,988, offered by Treasurer Jim Neal, including anticipated revenues of $179,245 and an unused loan balance of $92,743.
Neal reported that as of April 30, current ALA-APA revenues were $105,028 and expenses of $65,065.
The Library Support Staff Certification Program Committee reported that there were 182 applications and 144 active candidates. with 43 approved online courses and 28 face-to-face offerings.
ALA-APA Council also said goodbye to Director Jenifer Grady, who is leaving her post. Lorelle Swader, director of ALA's Human Resource Development and Recruitment, will take over the day-to-day operations on a temporary basis.