The mission of the International Relations Round Table is to promote interest in library issues and librarianship worldwide; to help coordinate international activities within ALA, serving as a liaison between the International Relations Committee and those members of the Association interested in international relations; to develop programs and activities which further the international objectives of ALA; and to provide hospitality and information to visitors from abroad.
Learn more about IRRT on the ALA website.
From: AEdCS <aedcs7@gmail.com>Date: February 13, 2022 at 10:10:52 PM ESTTo: Mimosa Shah <mimosaisnowhere@gmail.com>, Lucia Gonzalez <LuciaGonzalezALSC@gmail.com>, "Noe, Matthew Nicholas" <matthew_noe@hms.harvard.edu>, "James G. Neal" <jneal0@columbia.edu>, Africa Hands <africaica@gmail.com>, Lisa O'Connor <lgoconno@uncg.edu>, "Harrington, Sherre" <sharrington@berry.edu>, Melanie Welch <mwelch@ala.org>, kimberlyannebishop@gmail.comCc: Alena Rivers <arivers@ala.org>, Christina Coleman <ccoleman@ala.org>, Delin Guerra <dguerra@ala.org>, Danielle Ponton <dponton@ala.org>, Lorelle Swader <lswader@ala.org>, Monica Lauren Chapman <mlchapman@ala.org>Subject: 2022 Winter ALA Executive Board Quarterly Meetings Summary
Hello Everyone,A bit late, but here are the updates/summaries of the first ALA Executive Board quarterly meetings of 2022. Links to more information as well as the complete ALA EB schedule can be found at the end of this message. Share widely with your members and anyone else who may be interested.As always, please let me know if you have any questions, concerns, or comments you would like passed along to the board. I'm hoping to have the meeting minutes for our January meeting for you soon. Thank you.Key highlights from the winter January 2022 Executive Board meetings:Information Technology Update EBD 12.19FY21 and FY22 project status were reported. There is an increase in the IT budget. ALA Technology roadmap for FY22-26, how IT supports and aligns with ALA's pivot strategy, IT Dept Scorecard, and ALA Membership Dashboard were presented. Committee involvement will be reported in future IT reports.Financial UpdateFY23 budget preparation EBD 3.10The assumptions are similar to FY22 assumption with additions to align revenue with expense budget and a 2% salary increase for staff, no furloughs, and the overhead 26.5% continues. Based on the pivot strategy, management developed a number of tactical goals outlined in EBD 3.10. Transforming ALA Governance (TAG) Task Force EBD 10.8Hopeful that we can move forward with proposed motions given the amount of years spent on this initiative. The task force took the recommendations that came from our member leaders and placed them in a conceptual form that will provide a path. The motions before us are not final as there will need to be another vote from Council, then membership. Membership Report EBD 12.21 & 12.26The official membership count for FY21 is 49,727 members, which is a projected decline. The Membership Office will focus on membership growth and recovery.Introduced the new ALA Staff Community Engagement Manager, Cory Stevenson. The Code of Conduct Committee would like to continue to review and monitor ALA Connect Commercial Posting and staff will observe how other associations are handling this type of content.Executive Director Update EBD 12.23Highlighted work that raised the visibility of ALA and the work of libraries at a critical time. Reported the performance of the Library Learning Experience (109% above revised attendance goals and 73% of the overall budget forecast). Highlighted progress in implementing the pivot strategy: path to transformation, which is on track to establish the 6-revenue streams for its 5-year plan. Joined the Society of American Archivist to observe the day of racial healing. Reported upcoming staffing position search. Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA) Office EBD 12.20The Committee on Legislation had a successful virtual retreat in Fall 2021, finalized the 2022 legislative agenda and reviewed the state e-book legislation. PPA is planning targeted meetings with legislators and kicking off the annual appropriations campaign. Libraries Build Business Playbook will be made available on February 1.Office of Intellectual Freedom Report EBD 12.27The Office of Intellectual and Social Justice Working Group received feedback on the work on radical empathy and additional ideas to alternatives to neutrality. Recommends we need skilled facilitators to help facilitate more of these important conversations.Conference Services EBD 12.22Event metrics were shared. There is a post event evaluation for the Library Learning Experience (LLX) event, which is a pilot authorized by the Executive Board. Board feedback was requested on the draft health protocols for attendance at Annual Conference.Joint BARC and F&A Report EBD 3.16FY21 net revenue is 1.1 million, or variance of 2 million. This contingency is possible due to PPP, endowment transfer, furloughs, insurance claim, and increase in contributed income. FY21 results reflect an improvement from FY20. FY22 Q1 delayed, but expecting LLX to have a shortfall. Looking to trim LLX expenses and ALA management will continue to monitor other areas of expenses to meet goals.Looked at the proposal for Coretta Scott King Round Table and shared concerns to the Committee on Organization Chair. Also suggested that COO look at all book awards to determine if there are standards or consistencies that can apply, especially in terms of administrative costs.FY21 audit results will be presented in early February to the Finance and Audit Committee and will come before the ALA Executive Board on February 15, 2022. Following approval, FY23 budget process begins. In spring, the first preliminary budget FY23 will be presented. Operating Agreement Working Group (OAWG) EBD 10.7Open board discussion about the work of the OAWG. Net asset balances were highlighted and the need to start thinking about Division surplus and contingencies and how it is managed and what incentives do we put in place for a positive return.Endowment Trustees Report EBD 13.1Future endowment reports will include the return of transfers and balances for Divisions and other fundsEmerging IssuesALA Treasurer Farrell shared that she will respond on ALA Council Connect on the comment regarding the budget. Board member Booker's motion for ALA committees to provide quarterly reports to the ALA Executive Board was defeated. Members agreed that closer attention and communications should occur between the Executive Board liaisons and the committees.For elections, when speaking on behalf of the Board, it is best practice to be neutral and not to endorse a candidate.The Board is working on a statement to support REFORMA on a recent virtual zomb bombing attack.Board Approved ActionALA OfficeResponsible PersonOn the recommendation of F&A, The ALA Executive Board recommends to the ALA Council the following Budget Objectives, as a basis for the FY2023 budget and as a key framework for budget planning EBD 3.12:• Align revenue/expense budget• Rebuild membership base• Increase revenue sources• Develop budget surplus• Focus on financial stability• Develop new budget metricsFinanceDina TsourdinisOn the recommendation on F&A, the ALA Executive Board approves the proposed presidential programs budget submitted by the 2022-2023 President in EBD 3.13.GovernanceSheryl ReyesThe ALA Executive Board adjourned into closed session several times throughout the meeting to discuss:ALA Board Effectiveness;Human Resources;Legal Update;Membership Model;Office of Intellectual Freedom Confidential Report; andAppointments.Note: The EB goes into closed session to discuss matters that should not be discussed publicly for legal reasons, may be sensitive in nature, or are not yet ready to be announced. The next EB meeting is Tuesday, February 15, 2022. The full EB meeting schedule can be found here. For more information on any of the listed reports above, please visit the Executive Board Document (EBD) site available here.Thank you,Ana Elisa de Campos SallesALA Executive BoardCouncilor-at-large, American Library AssociationMember, Patty Wong Presidential Advisory Committeeshe, her, hers2011 ALA Spectrum Scholar2013 ALA Emerging Leader
Key highlights from the winter January 2022 Executive Board meetings:
Information Technology Update EBD 12.19
FY21 and FY22 project status were reported. There is an increase in the IT budget. ALA Technology roadmap for FY22-26, how IT supports and aligns with ALA's pivot strategy, IT Dept Scorecard, and ALA Membership Dashboard were presented. Committee involvement will be reported in future IT reports.
Financial Update
FY23 budget preparation EBD 3.10
The assumptions are similar to FY22 assumption with additions to align revenue with expense budget and a 2% salary increase for staff, no furloughs, and the overhead 26.5% continues.
Based on the pivot strategy, management developed a number of tactical goals outlined in EBD 3.10.
Transforming ALA Governance (TAG) Task Force EBD 10.8
Hopeful that we can move forward with proposed motions given the amount of years spent on this initiative. The task force took the recommendations that came from our member leaders and placed them in a conceptual form that will provide a path. The motions before us are not final as there will need to be another vote from Council, then membership.
Membership Report EBD 12.21 & 12.26
The official membership count for FY21 is 49,727 members, which is a projected decline. The Membership Office will focus on membership growth and recovery.
Introduced the new ALA Staff Community Engagement Manager, Cory Stevenson. The Code of Conduct Committee would like to continue to review and monitor ALA Connect Commercial Posting and staff will observe how other associations are handling this type of content.
Executive Director Update EBD 12.23
Highlighted work that raised the visibility of ALA and the work of libraries at a critical time. Reported the performance of the Library Learning Experience (109% above revised attendance goals and 73% of the overall budget forecast). Highlighted progress in implementing the pivot strategy: path to transformation, which is on track to establish the 6-revenue streams for its 5-year plan. Joined the Society of American Archivist to observe the day of racial healing. Reported upcoming staffing position search.
Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA) Office EBD 12.20
The Committee on Legislation had a successful virtual retreat in Fall 2021, finalized the 2022 legislative agenda and reviewed the state e-book legislation.
PPA is planning targeted meetings with legislators and kicking off the annual appropriations campaign. Libraries Build Business Playbook will be made available on February 1.
Office of Intellectual Freedom Report EBD 12.27
The Office of Intellectual and Social Justice Working Group received feedback on the work on radical empathy and additional ideas to alternatives to neutrality. Recommends we need skilled facilitators to help facilitate more of these important conversations.
Conference Services EBD 12.22
Event metrics were shared. There is a post event evaluation for the Library Learning Experience (LLX) event, which is a pilot authorized by the Executive Board. Board feedback was requested on the draft health protocols for attendance at Annual Conference.
Joint BARC and F&A Report EBD 3.16
FY21 net revenue is 1.1 million, or variance of 2 million. This contingency is possible due to PPP, endowment transfer, furloughs, insurance claim, and increase in contributed income. FY21 results reflect an improvement from FY20.
FY22 Q1 delayed, but expecting LLX to have a shortfall. Looking to trim LLX expenses and ALA management will continue to monitor other areas of expenses to meet goals.
Looked at the proposal for Coretta Scott King Round Table and shared concerns to the Committee on Organization Chair. Also suggested that COO look at all book awards to determine if there are standards or consistencies that can apply, especially in terms of administrative costs.
FY21 audit results will be presented in early February to the Finance and Audit Committee and will come before the ALA Executive Board on February 15, 2022. Following approval, FY23 budget process begins. In spring, the first preliminary budget FY23 will be presented.
Operating Agreement Working Group (OAWG) EBD 10.7
Open board discussion about the work of the OAWG. Net asset balances were highlighted and the need to start thinking about Division surplus and contingencies and how it is managed and what incentives do we put in place for a positive return.
Endowment Trustees Report EBD 13.1
Future endowment reports will include the return of transfers and balances for Divisions and other funds
Emerging Issues
ALA Treasurer Farrell shared that she will respond on ALA Council Connect on the comment regarding the budget.
Board member Booker's motion for ALA committees to provide quarterly reports to the ALA Executive Board was defeated. Members agreed that closer attention and communications should occur between the Executive Board liaisons and the committees.
For elections, when speaking on behalf of the Board, it is best practice to be neutral and not to endorse a candidate.
The Board is working on a statement to support REFORMA on a recent virtual zomb bombing attack.
Board Approved Action
ALA Office
Responsible Person
On the recommendation of F&A, The ALA Executive Board recommends to the ALA Council the following Budget Objectives, as a basis for the FY2023 budget and as a key framework for budget planning EBD 3.12:
• Align revenue/expense budget
• Rebuild membership base
• Increase revenue sources
• Develop budget surplus
• Focus on financial stability
• Develop new budget metrics
Finance
Dina Tsourdinis
On the recommendation on F&A, the ALA Executive Board approves the proposed presidential programs budget submitted by the 2022-2023 President in EBD 3.13.
Governance
Sheryl Reyes
The ALA Executive Board adjourned into closed session several times throughout the meeting to discuss:
ALA Board Effectiveness;
Human Resources;
Legal Update;
Membership Model;
Office of Intellectual Freedom Confidential Report; and
Appointments.
Note: The EB goes into closed session to discuss matters that should not be discussed publicly for legal reasons, may be sensitive in nature, or are not yet ready to be announced.