1998 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING
Wenatchee Convention Center, Wenatchee, Washington
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order by Joan Weber, President, at 12:30 p.m. after determination that there was a quorum present.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INTRODUCTIONS:
Joan Weber asked if there were any resolutions to be introduced. There were none.
Joan Weber announced that the minutes from the 1998 Annual Business Meeting and the Annual Report were available on the WLA Homepage in addition to the copies that were at each table.
Joan Weber introduced Marilyn Neumiller who brought greetings from the hosting library, North Central Regional Library. Marilyn said that Dean Marney, Director, regretted that he could not be there, but that the staff of the system welcomed WLA members to the 1998 Conference. She extended an invitation to visit their twenty-seven libraries in five counties if there was an opportunity.
Joan Weber introduced Parliamentarian Jane Turnbull.
Joan Weber introduced the WLA Officers:
Vice-President/President Elect: Cindy Cunningham
Secretary: Carol Gill Schuyler
Treasurer: Patty Duitman
Coordinator of Continuing Education: Mary Campbell
Coordinator of Communications: Mike Wirt
Coordinator of Strategic Planning: Jill Jean (not present)
Coordinator of Conference 1998: Joy Neal
Coordinator of Conference 1999: Tom Moak
ALA Councilor: Jan Walsh
PNLA Representative: Linda Pierce
WLFTA Representative: Kathleen Ardrey
IG Coordinator: Nancy Collins Warner
Joan Weber announced and introduced the new officers:
Secretary: Carol Gill Schuyler
Coordinator of Communications: Mary Carr (not present)
Coordinator of Continuing Education: Diane Cowles
Coordinator of Conference 2000: Susan Odencrantz
Committee Chairs and IG Chairs (both in-coming and out-going) were recognized.
Joan Weber introduced Association staff:
ALKI Editor: Vince Kueter (not present)
Webmaster: Martha Parsons
Association Coordinator: Gail Willis
Legislative Liaison: Steve Duncan (not present)
CALL TO CONFERENCE 1999:
Tom Moak, Coordinator of Conference 1999, invited members to attend the 1999 Conference, "Fond Farewells/Bold Beginnings" in Pasco, April 28 - 30th. He said that the planning was going well with many exciting programs being scheduled.
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS:
Joan Weber said that Andrew Magpantay, ALA Office for Information Technology Policy, had planned on attending the meeting. Although he was later in arriving than he anticipated, he was going to participate in the program "Demystifying the E-Rate".
Josepth Mulidzwi, Head of the Library Circulation Department of the Medical University of Southern Africa, was attending the Conference as part of his visit to the United States. He is in the country on a United States Information Service South African Internship program and is being hosted by Highline Community College. He expressed his honor to be at the Conference and is actively involved in South Africa in the consolidation of their library association following apartheid.
GREETINGS:
Judy Carlson, WLMA President, was unable to attend the Conference, but sent a message expressing her hopes for a wonderful Conference.
Andrew Johnson, PNLA First Vice-President/President Elect, brought greetings from Gordon Ray, President, and the rest of the Board. He extended an invitation to attend the PNLA Annual Conference at Sun Valley. The organization's role has changed through the years as individual associations have strengthened. They are currently going through a critical self-study including examining their mission, annual conferences, continuing education, publications, regional issues, and the "Young Readers Choice Award".
Betty Bengtson, Acting Director of the University of Washington GSLIS, thanked the Association and the library community for their on-going support. She said that the director search interviews had been completed and a recommendation from the search team had been forwarded to the Dean of the Graduate School. They hope to have a new Director in place by the fall. They are also receiving additional support from the University to strengthen the school, including enhancing the computer lab. 204 students are enrolled in the two-year program and the application pool looks good for the new year. Dr. Peter Hiatt is retiring, Dr. Sam Oh is returning to Korea for family reasons, and Dr. Carol Doll is going to Wayne State University. Active recruitment to fill positions will begin after a new Director has been hired. The School is currently working on a accreditation report for 1999. Questions: Why has it taken so long to fill the Director and faculty positions? The Futures Committee report and review needed to be completed before the Director search began. One year is typical of an academic search and they wanted to create the best possible pool of candidates to ensure a strong Director. Recruiting permanent faculty members (three new positions and replacements) after hiring a new Director allows that person to shape the direction of the School. If all goes as planned, permanent faculty members will be in place by the fall of 1999. In the meantime, instructors and courses have been identified for the coming year. Why does it appear that many recent students are being geared toward special libraries? Students determine their own course of study. Many are interested in both industry and special libraries.
AGENDA REVISIONS:
None.
ADOPTION OF CONFERENCE RULES:
- MOTION: Move to adopt the Conference Rules.
- Moved: Cindy Cunningham.
- Seconded: Nancy Zussy
- Passed unanimously.
MINUTES OF THE 1997 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING:
The Minutes of the 1997 Annual Business Meeting were reviewed and approved by the task force: Susanna Gonzales, Cindy Cunningham, and Jan Walsh. They are available on the WLA Homepage.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
Patty Duitman submitted the Treasurer's Report as part of the Annual Report available on the tables.
LEGISLATIVE PLANNING REPORT:
Joan Weber recognized the Legislative Planning Committee and thanked them all for the work that they do to assure that WLA's Washington libraries' concerns are addressed in the State Legislature. They had finally been successful in finding relief for the Friends through Senate Bill 6599, going into effect on July 4, 1998, that exempts their fund-raising from taxation. An on-going issue, "Harmful to Minors", did not make it out of Committee, but will probably reappear in the 1999 session. Tom Mayer, Director of the Sno-Isle Regional Library System, announced the Supreme Court's decision up-holding the Capital Facilities Act. He thanked those libraries and their directors who supported the legal process. Those libraries currently impacted are: Sno-Isle Regional Library, Kitsap Regional Library, Timberland Regional Library, and King County Library System.
Steve Duncan sent a reminder that this is an election year and that members should get to know the candidates and actively campaign for those who support libraries. Governor Locke has declared April 19 - 25 "Friends of the Library Week". There was applause for WLFTA.
FEDERAL RELATIONS REPORT:
Nancy Zussy said that she was actively involved in talking to Congress about Internet filtering, funding issues (including LSTA), the E-Rate, and intellectual property issues.
WASHINGTON STATE LIBRARY REPORT:
Nancy Zussy reported that the budget process through the Legislature had gone very well and that they had been able to get funding for the GILS project, a one-time $100,000 collection enhancement boost, the "Connectivity" project, database licensing continuation for one more year (including databases use by State agencies), E-Rate support, and state-wide planning. Nancy introduced Library Commissioners, Anne Haley and Linda Lambert, and the new State Library Information Technologist, Tom Martin. The State Library will include information from their quarterly report to the Commissioners that may be of interest to the library community on their homepage.
NEW BUSINESS:
REPORTS:
Annual reports of the Officers are available on the tables and on the WLA Homepage.
OTHER NEW BUSINESS:
There was no New Business introduced from the Floor.
APPOINTMENT OF TASK FORCE TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE 1998 ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES:
Joan Weber announced that she had appointed Mary Campbell, Cindy Cunningham, and Linda Pierce to review and approve the 1998 Annual Meeting Minutes.
REMARKS FROM THE FLOOR:
Cher Ravagni announced that the Library School's "mentor program" would have a meeting on May 8th at 6:30. Anyone who was interested in participating in this program could contact her.
Dr. Carol Doll thanked the Association members for their support of her and the library school during her ten years in the State. Joan Weber thanked Carol for her active involvement in WLA.
GOOD OF THE ORDER:
The WLA Annual Board Retreat is scheduled for June 4 - 5 at the Dumas Bay Retreat Center. All out-going, in-coming officers, committee chairs, and IG chairs are expected to attend. Agenda items already identified are conference direction and on-line exhibit hall direction. Conference direction: We need to start planning five years ahead, conference planning involves a tremendous cost commitment, and, after two years of conferences without much exhibit space, we need to look at other ways to involve exhibitors. Exhibit Hall on-line: Members may use the on-line forum on the WLA Homepage to share their ideas about this concept (as well as conference priorities).
Joan Weber congratulated Mike Wessells on his appointment to the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee.
The invitation was again extended to the membership to attend the 1999 Conference in Pasco. Joan also invited everyone to the President's Reception on Friday night so that they could socialize informally with their colleagues.
THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 1:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Carol Gill Schuyler, Secretary