1997 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
Red Lion Hotel, Jantzen Beach, Portland, Oregon
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Joan Weber, President, at 8:40 a.m. after determination that a quorum was present.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INTRODUCTIONS:
Joan Weber asked if there were any resolutions to be introduced. There were none.
Bylaws Change:
Kristy Coomes explained the proposed changes to the bylaws: Article IX, Bylaws Amendments, Elections, Vacancies and Removal from Office, Section 1, Conduct of Elections and Bylaws Amendment, Article VX, Amendment of Bylaws, Section 1, B, Amendments by Mail Ballot, Article I, Association Governance, and Section 1, Elected Officers, Paragraph 3. There were no questions. Joan Weber appointed a ballot team of Mary Campbell, Joy Neal, and Mary Hillman to distribute ballots to eligible voters, count the ballots, and announce the results. Ballots were distributed.
Introductions:- Joan Weber introduced Parliamentarian Darlene Knox.
- Joan Weber introduced the Association Officers, Staff, and Committee Chairs.
- Distinguished guests were introduced:
- A.L.A. Executive Secretary Elizabeth Martinez was unable to attend the conference because of a personal emergency.
- A.L.A. Chapter Relations Office Director Gerald G. Hodges
- A.L.A. Washington Office Senior Policy Fellow Frederick Weingarten
Greetings:
- W.L.M.A. President Barbara Engvall was unable to attend the conference and sent her regrets.
- P.N.L.A. 1st Vice-President/President Elect Gordon Ray representing President Karen Hatcher brought greetings from the P.N.L.A. Board. He invited members to attend the P.N.L.A. Annual Conference, August 6 and 7, in Seattle. The Association is under duress, facing such issues as lack of focus, duplicating efforts of state/provincial associations, and the impact of Measure 47 on Oregon libraries. The Board will focus efforts on revitalization of the Association, redefinition of its mission, and regaining its regional nature.
- University of Washington Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences Faculty Carol Doll thanked the Association for its continued support. The school continues to be strong, offering an evening M.L.S. Degree program, searching for a new director, and hiring new faculty members. The Futures Committees Report is with the Vice-Provost for final approval.
Agenda Revisions:
There were no revisions to the agenda.
Minutes of the 1996 Annual Meeting:
The minutes were approved after the business meeting by Lyn Dedas, Jan Blumberg, and Patty Duitman. The members of the task force to approve the minutes of the 1997 Annual Meeting are: Susanna Gonzales, Cindy Cunningham, and Jan Walsh.
Treasurers Report:
Patty Duitman referred members to the distributed report for the fiscal year 1995 - 96. There were no questions.
Host Library System Greeting:
Sharon Hammer, Director of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library, welcomed conference attendees to the Vancouver/Portland area and invited them to the Districts Vancouver Library.
Legislative Planning Report:
Joan Weber, reporting for Bill Ptacek, Co-Chair of the Legislative Planning Committee, said that no censorship or harmful to minors issues made it out of committees. This year, other groups bore the force of energy in dealing with these issues. The Association thanked legislators for their support. The property tax issues will appear as a referendum on the November ballot. The Connectivity Project bill will be introduced into the Seanate in the next session, having passed the House during this legislative session. On the W.L.A. Homepage, links are provided to all the bills of interest to libraries.
Federal Relations Report:
Nancy Zussy reported that LSTA passed and was funded and is now under the auspices of the Institute of Museums and Libraries. Internet acts are being reviewed, including decisions on intellectual freedom and filtering. The Universal Service Act recommends communication discounts for libraries on a sliding scale depending on service areas. Currently being studied are both copyright and intellectual property definitions and issues.
Washington State Library Report:
Nancy Zussy introduced Linda Lambert, one of the State Library Commissioners. The reorganization of the State Library is continuing. There is an emphasis on training and education. Forums have been scheduled throughout the State to gather in-put for the Statewide Plan for the direction of libraries and library service. Jan Walsh has been named Assistant Director for Customer Service.
Awards:
- Tony Wilson announced the Scholarship winners:
- UW/GSLIS Scholarship--Kristina Kauffman,
- W.L.A. Grassroots Grant--Laura M. Tuck,
- WALE Conference Scholarships--Michelle Dudley, Cynthia Wigen, Eileen OConnor, and Susanna Gonzales.
- The Friends and Trustees Awards were made at Legislative Day.
- Barbara Tolliver presented the Merit Awards for:
- Outstanding Performance in a Special Area to Michael Hedges (posthumously), His brother, Jaris, accepted the award for the family.
- Advances in Library Services to Michael Schuyler, and Advances in Library Services to Phelps Shepard.
- Joan Weber presented the Presidents Award to Martha Parsons, the W.L.A. Webmaster.
NEW BUSINESS:
Reports:
The annual report was presented in print and on the W.L.A. Homepage.
1997 Conference Report:
Neel Parikh thanked the 1997 Conference Committee members. As of the Business Meeting, 1078 people had registered for the Conference; 200 exhibitors were also participating with 120 exhibits. There were an exceptional number of donors to the Conference. Bruce Ziegman raised $9300 in donations. Neel thanked those who were attending the Conference and hoped that it would be successful for them.
Announcement of the Results of the Bylaws Changes Vote:
Joy Neal announced that 76 ballots had been returned with one declared invalid. 74 members voted confirm the Boards amendments to Articles IX and VX. No one voted not to confirm the amendments. 75 members voted to confirm the Boards amendments to Article I. No one voted not to confirm the amendments.
For the Good of the Order:
Joan Weber invited Lorraine Jackson to present her musical rendition of the Library Code of Ethics. After the presentation, she invited everyone to the Presidents Reception and thanked the membership for making the organization a success.
Submitted by WLA Secretary: carol@linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us Carol Gill Schuyler Kitsap Regional Library 1301 Sylvan Way Bremerton WA 98310 360-405-9127 FAX 360-405-9128