American Library Association Conference news

Citation

Fitzsimons, E. (2005), "American Library Association Conference news", The Bottom Line, Vol. 18 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/bl.2005.17018bab.001

American Library Association Conference news

American Library Association Conference news

The American Library Association Annual Conference is around the corner, but for those still making plans or with some unscheduled time, there are the following programs to consider. At the time of writing, the details of time and place were not available, and the descriptions in some cases are preliminary. However, current information is now on the ALA web site (www.ala.org) under Conferences and Events, Other Events. The descriptions are those published by the sponsoring divisions.

Executive Compensation: Negotiating in a Competitive Environment(Public Library Association (PLA))

Over the next five years, a substantial proportion of library leadership will retire. Libraries recruiting for new directors have already found that salary requirements of candidates can be significantly higher than the pay of those they are replacing. In this occurrence, the environment will only become more competitive as retirements accelerate and more libraries are contending for the same pool of candidates. Candidates need to know how to negotiate the best possible compensation package for themselves.

Evaluating Your Technology Vendor and Protecting Your Resources or “What Happens when You Prepay for a Year of Service in July and Your Vendor Goes under in August?”(Association for Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA))

Mr Walton, currently a private college CFO, formerly an executive with an integrated library system vendor, discusses evaluating the financial and technical health of library technology vendors including considerations and resources for the evaluation of public and privately held companies as well as looking at your vendor’s technology and partnerships. Ms Drew, from the state library agency in Wisconsin, discusses using the procurement process and contracts to protect your organization, e.g. terms, length, payment schedule, etc. Followed by Q&A.

How to Assess Your Vendors’ Financial Viability before It’s Too Late(Association for Library Collections and Special Services (ALCSS))

This presentation will use a case-study approach, looking at two or three outside businesses and analyzing their business structure and performance by using stock performance, financial statements, and quarterly and annually reports.

Successful New Merchandising and Marketing Trends in Libraries: How They Draw in Patrons and How Publishers and Distributors Can Help Librarians in Their Implementation(Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC))

This program addresses innovative programs being implemented by libraries to promote themselves to children and their families as vital, welcoming destinations in their communities. Find out how libraries use the bookstore model of merchandising to attract patrons and creative programming to promote ongoing relationships with their patrons, including book clubs, teen advisory boards, chapter-a-day subscriptions. Book wholesalers and publishers can provide services tailored to assist.

Pay to Play: Debating Models for Scholarly Publishing(Association for College and Research Libraries (ACRL))

The program will feature speakers addressing topics related to models of disseminating/publishing scholarship including open access, commercial, society, and emerging models as well as the leadership role of the university library in supporting and providing broad and sustainable access to scholarship. A diverse panel consisting of librarians and publishers will address and debate key issues including cost, effectiveness, sustainability, acceptance, and format for disseminating our universities’ current and future scholarship.

Elected Officials: How to Get Their Attention on Library Needs(Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA))

Libraries must compete with many other agencies for badly-needed dollars. Trustees and advocates have to get the attention of elected officials at all levels of government. Donne E. Trotter, Illinois state senator and chairman of the Appropriations Committee, will advise you how to communicate and work with your legislators to obtain your library’s needs. Note: This is ALTA’s opening session, which is held Saturday, 25 June, 8:30a.m. to noon.

Federal funding

When you are checking the conference programming, be sure to check the Washington Office site for new developments on the federal budget that affect schools and libraries (www.ala.org/ala/washoff/WOissues/issues.htm#funds).