ALCTS Network News v8n17 (January 27, 1995) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/ann/ann-v8n17 ISSN: 1056-6694 ALCTS NETWORK NEWS An electronic publication of the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services Volume 8, Number 17 January 27, 1995 In this issue QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT ALA GOAL 2000 ALCTS DISCUSSION GROUP TOPICS -- PART II ************************************************************************** QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT ALA GOAL 2000 What is ALA Goal 2000? ALA Goal 2000 is a five-year initiative to position the American Library Association as a force for the public interest in the emerging electronic information infrastructure and to secure the role of libraries and librarians in the 21st century. The plan, presented by ALA Executive Director Elizabeth Martinez and approved unanimously by the ALA Executive Board, builds on the 1994 ALA Self-Study, surveys of member interests, recommendations of the ALA Council and other documents that address the future of the association and profession in a changing political, socio-economic and technological environment. The goal: to have the American Library Association and librarianship be as closely associated with the public's right to a free and open information society--intellectual participation--as it is with the idea of intellectual freedom. How will ALA Goal 2000 be achieved? To be successful, the association must build on its strengths and arm itself with new resources and expertise. Key strategies will: Expand the ALA Washington Office to increase its ability to influence national issues, policy and legislation at all levels of government. Establish an Office for Information Technology Policy in Washington, D.C., to address complex policy issues and to complement the Washington Office's efforts. Focus ALA's initiatives and activities on an intensified advocacy program to secure both the intellectual freedom and intellectual participation of all people. Create an independent, charitable foundation called the Fund for America's Libraries to raise money in support of ALA Goal 2000 and other areas of concern. How will Goal 2000 be financed? An additional $1 million is needed to fund ALA Goal 2000. This initiative will be funded in three ways: first, through a proposed dues increase; second, through more aggressive fundraising from outside sources; and third, through reallocation of current resources. The dues increase will be devoted solely to expansion of the Washington Office and establishment of an Office for Information Technology Policy. Creation of the Fund for America's Libraries, will enable ALA to aggressively seek funding from foundations, corporations and other sources to support ALA Goal 2000 and other association activities on behalf of all types of libraries--school, public and academic. Why now? The emerging "information superhighway" has raised many critical and complex policy issues central to all libraries. These policies are being developed now in congressional committees, agencies and offices beyond those ALA has traditionally monitored. A more assertive national presence for libraries and the public interest requires that ALA expand its activity in areas such as intellectual property rights, copyright, public access to government information, and telecommunications. The results of the 1994 congressional elections make immediate implementation of ALA Goal 2000 even more critical by accelerating the trend toward a more tightly focused federal government and a tougher, more competitive environment in which ALA must operate to secure policies and funding favorable for libraries and library users. Issues of immediate concern include renewal of the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA), due to "sunset" in 1995, funding for school libraries as authorized but not yet allocated in the Elementary Secondary Education Act (ESEA), funding for library programs under the Higher Education Act (HEA) and favorable telecommunications access or rates for libraries. ALA has a long track record of legislative successes, starting with passage of the Library Services Act (LSA) in 1955 up to authorization of funding for school libraries in the revised Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in 1994. But it has become increasingly clear that the association lacks the intensive resources to effectively address the wide-ranging issues related to libraries and information policy in an information society. The recent increase in postage rates for libraries is but one painful example of ALA not being able to afford the legal assistance needed to fully make the case. What will ALA Goal 2000 do for me? ALA Goal 2000 will benefit all types of libraries, librarians and library users in many ways. These include: A strong, visible presence in Washington for ALA, libraries and librarians and their pivotal role in ensuring both the intellectual freedom and intellectual participation of the American public in a free and open information society. Intensified efforts with legal and technical assistance to secure library participation in the information superhighway and passage of key legislation such as LSCA, ESEA, the Omnibus Children and Youth Literacy Through Libraries initiative. Timely and comprehensive information about legislative developments in Washington and ALA's public policy efforts. More tools and consultation at the state and local levels about legislative strategies, funding, technology, intellectual freedom and other public policy issues. Workshops and other training to help librarians and library staff keep abreast of technological developments and their impact. More opportunities for libraries to serve as test sites and pilot projects to promote public access to new information technology. Why a dues increase? The number-one reason for the dues increase is to fund ALA Goal 2000 so that we can position our association as a major force for libraries, librarians and library users in the 21st century. Dues are the most reliable source of revenue for any association. About 20 percent of ALA's operating revenue comes from dues. Although revenues from other sources such as publishing and conferences are projected to increase slightly, the total increase will not be sufficient to implement ALA Goal 2000. Outside funding and cost savings in other areas will also be used to achieve ALA Goal 2000. ALA management has used strict cost containment methods, including reducing staff, eliminating and consolidating departments, and has worked to increase revenue from conferences, grants and other sources. ALA will continue to seek cost savings and higher revenue but these are not enough to support the current work of the association and address the many urgent issues needing our attention. ALA dues have not increased since 1989. How much more will I pay? Regular ALA members would pay $25 more with the increase phased in over a three-year period--$10 the first year (effective September 1995), $10 in year two and $5 in year three. Regular dues would total $100 at the end of three years--less than the current dues of some state library associations and many comparable national organizations. For example, membership in the Special Libraries Association is $105, the National Association of Social Workers, $153, and the Medical Library Association, $110. ALA student members will pay an additional $6 for total dues of $25 at the end of three years. Retirees will pay $9 more for a total of $35. How will a dues increase affect ALA divisions? All ALA members, including division members, will benefit considerably from having an expanded legislative and technological presence in Washington and from the additional resources available to address their members' concerns in areas such as intellectual freedom, youth services, technology, governance, management and support of all types of libraries and librarians. Most division memberships continued to grow during the last ALA dues increase. How will I know that my money is being well-spent? You will see the results. ALA Goal 2000 has measurable objectives. The increase in dues will go directly to support the work of the Washington Office and to establish the Office for Information Technology Policy. ALA will work closely with state chapters and organizations to inform and involve all library staff and supporters in making ALA Goal 2000 a reality. And the ALA Treasurer will report to you regularly about how your money was spent. What is the process for approval? The ALA Membership Committee will make a recommendation about a dues increase to the ALA Council at the ALA 1995 Midwinter Meeting. ALA members will have the opportunity to respond to the ALA Goal 2000 initiative by voting on a dues increase on the election ballot that will be mailed to all members in April 1995. Ballots must be returned by June 2, 1995. A vote for the dues increase is an investment in a stronger association, stronger libraries and a stronger voice for the American people in advocating a free and open information society. ************************************************************************* ALCTS DISCUSSION GROUP TOPICS -- PART II Following are some of the discussion group topics received in the ALCTS Office to date. They will continue to be published into the beginning of next week. As with all meetings, check your program book at the Midwinter Meeting to confirm meeting times and locations. CCS Cataloging Norms Saturday, February 4, 9:30-11 am; DT-Ormandy West Topic: "Cataloging Electronic Sources: Looking at Local & National Issues." Come and learn about the work the Library of Congress has done on the National Digital Library and the issues involved on this project. Also, find out more about TEI, SGML, and MARC when cataloging electronic text at your local library. Presentation by Beth Davis Brown, Cataloging Director Representative, LC National Digital Library Task Force, Library of Congress; and Edward Gaynor, Head of Original Cataloging, University of Virginia Library. PARS Library Binding Saturday, February 4, 9:30-11 am; SHER-Claypoole Room SS Research Libraries Saturday, February 4, 9:30-11 am; PCC-Room 109A Technical Svcs. Administrators of Medium-Sized Research Libraries Saturday, February 4, 9:30 am-12:30 pm; MAR-Room 411 & 412 CCS Cataloging & Classification Research Saturday, February 4, 11:30 am-12:30 pm; PCC-Room 202A PARS Quality & Physical Treatment Saturday, February 4, 11:30 am-12:30 pm; SHER-Ballroom E1 CCS Catalog Management Saturday, February 4, 2-4 pm; MAR Room 411 & 412 Topic will include: 1) Will the recent LC decision on series authority work have any effect on how your library does its authority work? 2) Have you changed your workflow to take advange of the recent OCLC authority file changes? If so, how? 3) Have you done any thinking about workstations for Catalog Management and will they differ from those planned or implemented for catalogers? ************************************************************************* ************************************************************************* ALCTS NETWORK NEWS (ISSN 1056-6694) is published irregularly by the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services, a division of the American Library Association. Editorial offices: ALCTS, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; Robert P. Holley, President; Karen Muller, Executive Director. Editor: Karen Whittlesey (u34261@uicvm); Editorial Advisory Board: Jennifer Younger, Robert P. Holley, David Farrell; Editorial Assistance: Karen Muller ALCTS NETWORK NEWS is available free of charge and is available only in electronic form. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the division. 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