Greetings from New Orleans
Greetings from New Orleans. I will try to blog as schedule and computer availablility permit. The heat and humidity are high, but New Orleans has put out the red carpet for us. They are trying very hard to show that they can handle this large of a conference and provide a good time for all. I must say the food is every bit as good as I remember. There are some noticable stores and restaurants closed due to Katrina, but they are working hard and you see construction work everywhere.
We were welcomed by Mayor Nagin and the Lt. Governor of Louisiana at the opening session. Madeline Albright was the key-note speaker. She has been controversial, as some feel she is too conservative and others that she is too liberal. None the less a large crowd turned out for her speech.
ALA Council Information Session
ALA Council information session was held this morning. Budget Analysis and Review Committee (BARC) reported that they are studying a graduated dues increase and other forms of dues structures per the instructions of Council at Mid-Winter in San Antonio.
The Endowment Trustees reported that the Endowment currently has over $25 million. These are mostly long-term investments and not true endowments. They are looking to continue to find socially responsible investments. ALA investments reflect the vagaries of the market, but generally have done OK.
There was a discussion of the pros and cons of Librarians without Libraries program. Some are concerned that retired Librarians as volunteers may provide incentive to governing bodies to cut funding by using these volunteers instead of hiring professionals, especially those just out of school. Leslie Burger, ALA President-elect, explained the intent of this project was to provide short-term assistance in cases where it was needed and it was not intended to replace anyone. Some councilors spoke about positive results in their locations related to this type of program. Leslie asked that decisions about the effort wait until after some additional meetings and the feasibility study is finished.
Dollar General Stores has established a school relief fund for schools that have been damaged in a disaster. The first schools will be on the Gulf Coast, but this money is available for all 50 states, wherever a disaster occurs.
Registration figures as of Saturday, 11605 attendees; 4,704 vendors for a total of 16,309. This number is about 2,000 less than ALA in Orlando. Everyone is pleased given the concerns about New Orleans hosting this large of an event. The fear was that many would chose to not come.
ALA-APA Information Session
ALA-APA is about $30,000 in the red. This is considered good news as we were over twice that amount at last years' meeting. Concern was still expressed over the lack of identity with the name and the difficulty of selling this concept to members. The concern was that solvency will continue to be a problem if librarians cannot connect to the organization.
Council I
General business issues were addressed and reports were given.
A resolution endorsing HR 676 for Single Payer Universal Health Care and S2772, the Health Parnership Act was put before the council. I voted to approve the amendment that it be sent to the Committee on Legislation for comments and to be returned to us before the end of this Conference. The drafters of this resolution do not think that it will accomplish an change in the direction of legislation, but will put ALA on record for supporting available/affordable health care covereage for everyone, including library workers. Unless I find information to the contrary, I expect that I will support this resolution.
A discussion of the process of selecting opening and closing speakers for ALA conferences was fairly intense. There is concern among some councilors that this process has not been formalized and it was not happening as it should. An interim process has been established by Leslie Burger, ALA President-elect. The Conference Committee is proposing wording which will come before the Executive Board for approval. Councilors expressed the desire to be able to comment on this wording before it becomes procedure by the Executive Board.
Keith Michael-Fiels, ALA Executive Director, reported that ALA membership is up about 2.3% over last year. Personal members 62,293; organizational members 3,821; 268 corporate members with at total membership of 66,382.
That completes today's Council activities.
I'm off to the exhibits and some sessions and did I mention the food!?!
Until the next opportunity - Let the Good times roll!
Rob Banks, ALA Councilor