ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

Recruitment to the profession: Attracting the best and the brightest: ACRL’s 1991 - 92 Annual Report

Mission

The mission of the Associa- tion of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) is to foster the profession of academic and research librarianship and to enhance the ability of academic and research libraries to serve effectively the library and information needs of current and potential library users.

Message from the President

ANNEK. BEAUBIEN ACRL'S 53RD PRESIDENT

ACRL leaders, members, and staff have every reason to be proud of their efforts during 1991-92.1 would like to highlight some of the years accomplishments and thank those involved for their creativity, enthusiasm, and hard work.

Our Sixth National Conference was held in Salt Lake City on April 12-14 with an attendance of 2,241, including 581 ex- hibitors. The program was an important forum for discussing a wide range of issues affecting higher education in our information-rich society as well as a financial success.

The years theme, "Recruitment to the Profes- sion," inspired great enthusiasm and many activities including a project to interest minority undergradu- ates in the field of library and information science which was funded by the ALA Presidents Dance Fund. Another major effort was made to update the librarian profiles in two CD-ROM career guidance systems used in career counseling. A large research project was undertaken to validate factors underlying the Strong Vocational Interest Inventory. Thanks to year-end money from ALA, ACRL was able to design and print a recruitment brochure for wide dissemination. Two sessions at ALAs Annual Conference in San Francisco focused on recruitment, several issues of C&RL News carried articles on the theme, and a Task Force on Image is identifying areas in which academic librarianship is misunderstood and will suggest ways to counteract these impressions.

Anne K. Beaubien

Another ad hoc group, the Task Force on Social Issues, was created to help guide ACRLs response to difficult modern problems. The Task Force on Professional Development submitted a report on what ACRLs role should be in this area. ACRL supported ALAs theme, "Your Right to Know," and collaborated with other units on numerous matters such as accreditation and federal legislation.

As president I attempted to make ACRLs planning process more responsive to the membership and to changes in higher education. The ACRL Board of Directors took part in planning retreats before the Salt Lake City and San Francisco conferences at which they examined the strategic plan, looked at how the planning process can be more effective, and set priorities. Changes will be implemented in the next year that will involve more of the elected leadership in setting priorities and

I hope the momentum and changes started will benefit members in the years to come.

These are just a few of ACRLs achievements last year. Feel free to contact me or the ACRL office to learn more about them or about the many other projects I do not have space to mention, none of which would have been successful without the able guidance of executive director Althea Jenkins and her excellent staff or without the energy and dedication of hundreds of members. And thank you all for a wonderful year!

ACRL Membership Statistics

ACRL/ Sections	Personal	Organizational/ Special	Aug. 1992 Total	Aug. 1991 Total	% Increase decrease
ACRL	9,594	1,143	10,737	10,693	0.41%
AAS	418	88	506	486	4.12%
AFAS	185	21	206	192	7.29%
ANSS	492	99	591	581	1.72%
ARTS	840	123	963	886	8.69%
BIS	3,707	490	4,197	4,168	0.70%
CJCLS	857	268	1,125	1,099	2.37%
CLS	1,890	366	2,256	2,207	2.22%
EBSS	1,260	236	1,496	1,535	-2.54%
ECLSS	408	28	436	241	80.91%
LPSS	716	123	839	870	-3.56%
RBMS	1,740	214	1,954	1,953	0.50%
SEES	266	69	335	314	6.69%
STS	1,628	279	1,907	1,876	1.65%
ULS	5,901	396	6,297	6,372	-1.18%
WESS	724	70	794	798	-0.50%
WSS	828	76	904	848	6.60%

Message from the Vice-President

JACQUELYNA. MCCOY VICE-PRESIDENT / PRESIDENT-ELECT

Three rapidly emerging trends in the 1990s—new technolo- gies, a changing economic climate, and increasing diversity in both staff and user populations—are changing the way academic libraries go about serving their faculties, their students, and their communities. Many of us will be, in the very near future, operating the virtual library in which many materials are accessed electronically. Our challenge for this year, and for at least a decade to come, will be to equip both our profes- sional organization and ourselves as librarians to ad- dress the issues raised by technological innovations, changing resource allocations, and greater ethnic, ra- cial, academic, and socio-economic diversity among our users and our personnel.

By this report and by separate communications with each ACRL section, chapter, and committee, I am asking these units to provide ACRL with an inventory of innovative ideas as well as recommendations as to how the profession may respond creatively to the multiple challenges outlined above. My concern is that we ac- tively, indeed aggressively, involve our rank-and-file members in helping shape our ACRL organizational response to these changes. This involvement will, I hope, come through special meetings, workshops, brainstorming sessions and perhaps even written polls of the membership of various ACRL units.

Jacquelyn A. McCoy

At the national level we will be reviewing the ACRL organizational structure in paralleling the overall ALA organizational evaluation called for by Marilyn Miller, in an effort to provide a more effective and more responsive organization for our members. We will also be assessing the status of our ACRL strategic plan, now entering its sixth year, with a view toward determining if there are ways to clarify, amplify, enhance, or make more effective that critical document.

My challenge to the membership is to suggest very specific and concrete ways which we as a professional organization can help smooth the transition we are making toward the virtual library, can help academic libraries cope creatively with a changing economic climate and reduced resources, and can improve the services we offer to the users and staff who represent such varied backgrounds, interests, and aspirations. My plan is to have presentations of these ideas and recommendations during the ALA Annual Meeting in New Orleans next June.

Letter from the Executive Director

ALTHEAH. JENKINS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Although academic libraries faced extraordinary economic and political challenges during the past year, the range of activities of our members continues to demonstrate a commitment and dedication to the library profession. The accomplishments of the ACRL committees, sections, and discussion groups summarized throughout this report demonstrate the enthusiasm members hold for academic librarianship. All who participate recognize that ACRLs diverse mem- bership requires the work of the association primarily to address the complex issues our profession faces. We ap- preciate the continuing support of ACRLs 11,000 mem- bers in meeting our goals.

ACRL was fortunate this year to have the ALA Minority Fellow, Sheila Delacroix, assigned to the divi- sion to carry out her work in the area of recruitment in conjunction with the ACRL presidents theme.

In addition to the projects supporting the presidents theme and the programs detailed on the following pages of this report, ACRL in 1991-92 joined other ALA units and library organizations to:

Althea H. Jenkins

• Call for a total revision of the ALA Code of Ethics

• Endorse the revised ALA Accreditation Standards

• Support the top three priority action issues of the White House Conference on Library and Information Services

• Endorse the 1991 Improvement of Information Act

• Discourage copyright and use royalties for the ERIC Database.

As I look to the year ahead, it is clear that academic librarians cannot conduct their business in isolation. Changing agendas in higher education, information technology, and education in general present major challenges. Important accomplishments were made in networking and establishing linkages with other library and information-based organizations, higher education associations, and government agencies in FY1992. ACRL leaders, members, and staff will need to continue solidifying and strengthening relationships with associations in the information and higher education professions.

In an era of shrinking resources and escalating demands, the strength of ACRL and the extent to which it is able to impact the information and higher education environment will to a large extent be determined by how well priorities are identified and strategies defined. The ACRL Board of Directors effectively used a retreat to begin a planning process for the 90s and beyond. The Board clarified values, stated assumptions, identified strengths and weaknesses, as well as internal and external environmental factors that impact ACRL. Follow- ing the retreat, the Board was able to set these priorities which will guide program decisions for FY 1993:

1. Communications with members (two-way). ACRL should provide means and media for the sharing of pro- fessional ideas, concerns, and activities of aca- demic librarians and libraries and increase com- munication within ACRL regarding association goals, priorities, and activities.

2. Professional development and learn- ing of our members. ACRL should play a leader- ship role in providing professional development and learning opportunities for its members.

3. Forum for discussion and debate of issues. ACRL should ensure that appropriate forums exist for thorough discussion and informed debate of key issues facing academic libraries and librarians.

4. Recognition in the higher education community. ACRL should gain recognition within the higher education community as representing the interests of academic librarians and playing a key role in developing relevant national policy.

5. Communication with the higher edu- cation community, professional associations. ACRL should increase communication and col- laboration with other professional associations within the higher education community to estab- lish partnerships with our academic colleagues in furthering the goals of higher education.

The year brought challenges to ACRL head- quarters as well. The ACRL staff was reduced from 12 to 8.5 FTE. My first year was one of learning and discovery. ACRL experienced a decline in revenue for the third consecutive year, while member de- mands for programs and services continued to in- crease. The ACRL Sixth National Conference held in Salt Lake City was successful programmatically and financially thanks to the commitment of dedicated members and the ACRL staff.

I am grateful for the support and encouragement that members of the Board have given me in my first year, especially ACRL President Anne Beaubien, who was not only a seasoned and savvy leader, but also caring and thoughtful. I am also grateful for the generosity of the Choice and ACRL staff in giving beyond the call of duty. I look forward eagerly to the year ahead.

The Year in Review

GOAL1.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

Contribute to the total professional development of academic and research librarians.

Atotal of 2,241 people attended the ACRL Sixth National Conference, "Academic Libraries: Achieving Excellence in Higher Education," April 12-14,1992, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The conference chair was Joseph A. Boisse', university librarian, Uni- versity of California, Santa Barbara. Conference attendees rated the conference 3.85 on a 5-point scale with 5 being excellent. This is the highest evaluation an ACRL National Conference has ever received. The general session speakers included civil rights activist Julian Bond, futurist Paul Saffo, womens studies scholar Catharine Stimpson, and the president of the Council of Library Resources W. David Penniman. In addition to the general session speakers, there were 52 contributed papers, 37 panel presentations, and 31 poster sessions on all areas of academic librarianship.

RBMS Preconference

ACRLs Rare Books and Manuscripts Section presented a successful three-day conference program at the University of California-Santa Cruz in June 1992. The conference theme for the 33rd RBMS Conference, "Scholarly Communication and the Future of Special Collections," provided opportunities for several speakers and presenters to explore issues of electronic publishing, preservation, and information technology with more than 300 attendees.

Annual Conference Programs

Topics such as recruitment, the virtual library, learning at a distance, accessing African American information resources, medical anthropology, and political correctness were among the 20 programs offered at the ALA Annual Conference. The program "Guts, Brains and Sensitivity or the Ability to Stoop, Lift, and Reach to High Places: What Makes a Good Librarian" reported on current research on career guidance packages and vocational interest inventories. The program "The Virtual Library: The Florida Community College" reported on the creation of a statewide centralized automation project. The Bibliographic Instruction Section and the ALA Library Instruction Round Table sponsored the "15th anniversary of information literacy in ALA—a day-long celebration." (See the next page for a complete list of programs.)

Goal 2.

Enhancing Service Capability.

ENHANCE THE CAPABILITY OF ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH LIBRAR- IES TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF USERS.

As colleges and universities were faced with reducing bud- gets, libraries became prime targets for their institutions' budget reduction plans. Many librarians holding faculty and academic status were threatened with the elimination of these employment conditions. The ACRL Board ap- proved the revised Standards for Faculty Status for College and University Librarians (C&RL News, May 1992) and the Model Statement for the Screen- ing and Appointment of Academic Librarians Using a Search Committee (elsewhere in this issue). This year ACRL corresponded with six college and university presidents outlining ALAs position on faculty status for academic librarians. ACRLs Academic Status Committee sponsored a think tank on faculty status at the ALA Midwinter Meeting to explore issues relating to the present and future of faculty status for academic librar- ians.

ACRL has over 25 published official docu- ments in the form of standards, guidelines, and statements. Standards are policies that describe shared values and principles of performance for a library serving a Carnegie-classified institu- tion. Guidelines consist of procedures that will prove useful in meeting the standards. State- ments articulate a policy statement, or serve as a checklist or a model. All official documents are published in C&RL News. Over 1,000 reprints were distributed during FY92.

Awards

ACRL provides a number of opportunities for members to be honored and recognized by col- leagues for their work in the profession. The

ACRL Awards program recognizes special achievements and outstand- ing publications and fosters professional development in academic and research librarianship. This year 12 awards were presented. Member committees review all award nominations and select the winners.

The most prestigious rec- ognition a librarian may receive in the academic library profes- sion is the Academic or Research Librarian of the Year Award. The 1992 award went to Carla Stoffle, dean of libraries at the University of Arizona, Tucson. In choosing Stoffle for this award, the committee noted that "the programs she had been as- sociated with distinguished her in many areas of the library pro- fession, but also earned the re- spect and admiration of her peers…

The ACRL Board of Di- rectors presented William A. Moffett (director of the Hun- tington Library) with a resolu- tion commending him for his dedication and commitment to the library profession. This was most recently exhibited in his courageous act of opening to scholars the Huntington Librarys collection of photo- graphs of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Goal 3.

ADVOCACY AND LIAISON.

Promote and speak for theINTERESTS OF ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH LIBRARIANSHIP.

The challenge of recruiting outstanding persons to the field of librarianship and retaining them in the profession can and must be addressed on many fronts. Each year thousands of persons are guided in their selection of a career by the professional profiles drawn in interest inventories and career guid- ance packages such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Strong Interest Inventory (SII), and the SIGI PLUS career guidance system. The Vocational Interest Inventories Task Force investigated the profiles of librarians found in these instruments. Each profile was seen as inadequate and/or negative.

By updating the information found in these widely used systems, the task force has made it possible for more persons to get a realistic, dynamic picture of modern librarianship. By negotiating with the publishers of these instruments and interacting with the counselors and advisors who use them, the role of librarians and librarianship is enhanced in the minds of other groups of professionals. We are recruiting tomorrows librarians today, but we are not in this alone. Many others are in a position to recruit the best and the brightest for us if they are provided the right information. Thanks to the ACRL Vocational Interest Inventories Task Force more people will know that it takes "guts, brains, and sensitivity" to be a good librarian, and fewer will think we need only the ability to "stoop, lift and reach to high places."

Since 1989 the ACRL WHCLIS (White House Conference on Library and Information Services) Task Force has actively engaged in discussions and activities. These discussions ensured that academic librarians' interests were included in the recommendations that formed the national agenda addressing issues of all types of libraries. In addition to the development of a position paper, the chair of the task force participated in two public forums sponsored by NCLIS (National Commission on Libraries and Information Science) to discuss the recommendations and to discuss the National Research and Education Network (NREN).

GOAL4.

RESEARCH & PUBLICATION.

Promote study, research, and publication relevantTO ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH LIBRARIANSHIP.

The ACRL University Library Statistics, 1990-91 was released at ACRLs Sixth National Conference in April. This publication reports the results of a survey of 120 U.S. libraries at institutions designated as Research Universities I and II and Doctorate Granting Colleges and Universities I and II according to the Carnegie classification and to five Canadian aca- demic libraries with similar scope. The categories of data collected include: collections, personnel, expen- ditures, and interlibrary loan. The institutional data elements reported include degrees offered, enroll- ment size, and faculty size.

The Evolving Educational Mission of the Library,published in early spring, was sponsored by the Bib- liographic Instruction Section and identifies strategic issues which challenge the development of instruc- tional programs in academic libraries and suggests roles for librarians in the educational processes of their parent institutions.

Womens Studies Collection Development Policieswas developed by the Womens Studies Section Col- lection Development and Bibliography Committee.

This unique tool identifies issues and provides mod- els of existing policies. Complete policy statements from 16 university libraries illustrate the range of issues and provide a variety of models. The RLG Conspectus: Womens Studies Supplemental Guideline included as an appendix, identifies issues unique to womens studies and describes materials and sources.

Readers of College & Research Libraries News have been enthusiastic about the redesign of the magazine. Beginning with the April 1992 issue the magazine has a new, inviting format which readers have called "lively, bold, and easy to read." Other comments include: "At last the magazine has gotten some real style … It makes getting the magazine a real treat." "Everything from cover to content is appealing. I read it cover to cover as soon as it arrives."

ACRLs sections have led the way in electronic publishing. The Science and Technology Section (STS), the first section involved in electronic publishing, now issues two electronic publications. Electronic

Updateappears two weeks before ALA meetings to provide confer- ence-specific information. Issues in Science and Technology Librarian- ship is STSs electronic journal covering a range of topics such as access, serials pricing, cultural diversity, and virtual libraries. The Afro-American Studies Librarians Section (AFAS), Extended Cam- pus Library Services Section (ECLSS), and Education and Behavioral Sciences Section (EBSS) have all set up electronic listservs on the Internet.

Choice

Production is the theme that char- acterized the year for Choice. This was the first year fully operational with the STAR publishing system. All page production was brought in-house and page layout for the magazine and cards is now com- pleted electronically on a sophisti- cated Macintosh desktop publish- ing system. The magazine was re- designed to reflect the new pub- lishing venture and to enhance readability.

The Choice reviews database ended pilot projects with CARL Systems and Carnegie Mellon University and will be commercially available for license at the start of the new fiscal year. More than 26,000 reviews, representing four volume years, are available in electronic format.

An Internet account was opened through Princeton Universitys JvNCNet. Planned use of the network is for reviewer /editor communication and receipt of reviews.

The supplement to the 10th edition of the Guide to Reference Books was published on schedule and announced at ACRLs national conference. Editorial work began on the 11th edition.

Continuing our publication efforts, Choice launched a new series called Ethnic Studies Reviews drawing on titles of an interdisciplinary nature identified in the reviews database. African and African American Studies is the first of the series. In production are Latino Studies, Native American Studies, and Asian American Studies.

Work began on an editorial and publishing plan for Books for Community College Libraries , a work that has not been updated since 1969.

ACRL Board of Directors, 1991-92

Back row: Ray E. Metz, Barbara J. Wittkopf, Rochelle Sager, Eileen Dubin, Evan Ira Farber, Shelley E. Phipps. Front row: Leslie A. Manning, Barbara J. Ford, Jacquelyn A. McCoy, Anne K. Beaubien, Althea Jenkins, Karin E. Begg. Not shown: Linda Phillips.

Financial Report

LESLIEA. MANNING BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR

Leslie A. Manning

For the fiscal year ending August 31, 1992, operating rev- enues were $1,334,033 and expenditures were $1,141,362. Member dues provided approximately 28 percent of ACRLs total operating revenue, 33 percent from publication sales, 2 percent from preconferences, and 37 percent from the National Conference.

ACRL administers five endowment accounts. Three endowments—Hugh Atkinson Memorial, Oberly, and Leab—support the awards named. A fourth endow- ment was approved by the ACRL Board and established by ALA in December 1991. The Board will determine annually how the income from this endowment will be used. On August 31,1992, the principle in these accounts totaled $89,801. The fifth endowment for Choice has a principle of $20,641.

Among expenditures in the general fund, member services comprised 33 percent of ACRLs total expenses. Other expenses include publications (37 percent), the National Conference (28 percent), and preconferences (2 percent).

Revenue was less than budgeted by $58,382, but due to excellent cost containment by staff, expenses were $194,721 less than budgeted, leaving a balance of $192,671 in revenues above expenses. At the close of the fiscal year, the "Operating Fund Balance" stood at $614,036 which will fully cover the "mandated reserve" as well as provide necessary planning dollars for the Seventh National Conference in Pittsburgh.

Choiceended the year with $37,425 in net revenue. The Choice "Operating Fund Balance" stood at $764,662 at the third close. The combined ACRL and Choice net revenue for FY 1992 was $230,096. The combined "Operating Fund Balance" was $1,378,698 at the third ALA close.

Financial Report

Executive Summary 1991-92

SOURCES OF REVENUE	FY1992 BUDGET	FY1992 ACTUAL	PERCENT OF BUDGET	LAST YEAR ACTUAL
Ending Reserve
Aug. 31: Op. Fund	$410,938	$614,036	149.42%	$516,586
Aug. 31: Endowment	$80,275	$89,801	111.87%	$67,783
Aug. 31: Choice	$711,999	$764,662	107.40%	$795,581
Subtotal	$1,203,212	$1,468,499	122.05%	$1,379,950
Membership dues and other$400,095	$353,184	88.28%	$351,262
Other	$600	$12,165	2027.50%	$4,930
Advisory	$500	$0	0.00%	$0
Awards	$1,500	$1,160	77.33%	$650
Jobline	$3,350	$1,201	35.85%	$3,260
Subtotal	$406,045	$367,710	90.56%	$360,102
Publications
Choice	$1,587,965	$1,455,913	91.68%	$1,418,488
C&RL	$134,831	$117,038	86.80%	$121,451
C&RLNews	$237,326	$223,970	94.37%	$223,323
RBML	$20,460	$24,031	117.45%	$18,330
Sec. Newsletters	$50	$16	32.00%	$18
Nonperiodicai Pubs.	$64,500	$69,381	107.57%	$82,320
BCL	$3,500	$2,932	83.77%	$12,375
Chapter Topics	$0	$0	0.00%	$0
Subtotal	$2,048,632	$1,893,281	92.42%	$1,876,305
Education
Continuing Ed.	$0	$285		$17,689
National (89, 92)	$467,963	$487,489	104.17%	$0
Pre-& Postconferences	$51,308	$33,892	66.06%	$51,405
Subtotal	$519,271	$521,666	100.46%	$69,094
Funded Projects
NEH/HBCU Project	$6,432	$0	0.00%	$9,212
HBCU Statistics (Mellon)	$0	$7,289	113.32%	$0
Subtotal	$6,432	$7,289	113.32%	$9,212
TOTAL REVENUE	$2,980,380	$2,789,946	93.61%	$2,314,713
Choice Revenue	$1,587,965	$1,455,913	91.68%	$1,418,488
TOTAL REV. W/O CHOICE	$1,392,415	$1,334,033	95.81%	$896,225

OBJECTOFEXPENSE	FY1992 BUDGET	FY1992 ACTUAL	PERCENT OF BUDGET	LAST YEAR ACTUAL
Membership Activities
Membership Svcs.	$55,277	$41,939	75.87%	$40,433
Exec. Comm. & Board	$83,797	$71,950	85.86%	$64,437
Statistics	$13,803	$13,303	96.38%	$3,191
Advisory	$24,835	$21,837	87.93%	$32,130
Standards distrib.	$7,247	$4,595	63.41%	$4,626
Discussion Groups	$4,812	$4,266	88.65%	$3,734
Awards	$11,218	$10,027	89.38%	$15,802
Chapters	$58,588	$44,454	75.88%	$41,314
Committees	$71,439	$54,574	76.39%	$50,685
Sections	$64,461	$59,039	91.59%	$43,490
Jobline	$2,564	$2,251	87.79%	$4,038
Section Newsletters	$37,032	$30,050	81.15%	$33,575
Chapter Topics	$5,134	$5,125	99.82%	$4,523
C&RLNews	$21,370	$14,977	70.08%	$63,267
Subtotal	$461,577	$378,387	81.98%	$405,245
Publications
Choice	$1,563,203	$1,418,488	90.74%	$1,550,610
C&RL	$134,741	$109,338	81.15%	$112,751
C&RLNews	$237,326	$223,970	94.37%	$286,590
RBML	$20,703	$16,055	77.55%	$23,573
Nonperiodical Pubs.	$52,103	$67,381	129.32%	$39,018
BCL	$2,879	$520	18.06%	$2,955
Subtotal	$2,010,955	$1,835,752	91.29%	$2,015,497
Special Projects
Output Measures	$0	$0	0.00%	$1,855
Special Grants Funds	$0	$0	0.00%	$11,138
Subtotal	$0	$0	0.00%	$12,993
Education
Continuing Ed.	$0	$362	0.00%	$49,955
National (89,92)	$364,469	$312,955	85.87%	$63,584
Pre-& Postconferences	$55,853	$25,105	44.95%	$52,207
Subtotal	$420,322	$338,422	80.51%	$165,746
Funded Projects
HBCU Statistics (Mellon)	$6,432	$7,289	113.32%	$0
Subtotal	$6,432	$7,289	113.32%	$0
TOTAL EXPENSES	$2,899,286	$2,559,850	88.29%	$2,599,481
Choice Expenses	$1,563,203	$1,418,488	90.74%	$1,550,610
TOTAL EXP. W/O CHOICE	$1,336,083	$1,141,362	85.43%	$1,048,871
NET	$56,332	$192,671	342.03%	($152,646)

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