ACRL College & Research Libraries News

College & Research Libraries News

ACRL executive summary

Cincinnati was all we could think about in March; well, almost all.. .In between, we managed to squeeze in:

Professional development

We submitted a proposal to NEH for a series of eight humanities programming workshops, cosponsored with the Public Libraries Association, over a three-year period. The chief consultant would be Julie Virgo. Our track record over the past five years gives us reason to hope we may get funding.

Liaison and advocacy

When we received a call regarding the crisis in funding for materials expenditures in Massachusetts’ publicly supported institutions of higher education, ACRL staff contacted key members in Massachusetts as well as Kate Mawdsley, our Legislation Committee chair, who spoke to Massachusetts legislators. The ALA Washington Office came to our aid, too. The situation is still not resolved, but at least our members know we can and do have ways to offer support.

JoAn Segal visited Rosary College Library School and discussed possible cooperative activities. She also addressed the LIBRAS consortium of colleges in the Chicago suburbs on issues in academic librarianship.

Research and publication

Negotiations are underway with ALA Publishing for publication of the Manual of Output Measures for Academic Libraries.

We signed our first network contract for Books for College Libraries (3d ed.) tape service. AMIGOS will offer to its members a service that will match the library’s holdings against the set to see which items they do or do not hold. It beats tearing up the pages and having a student assistant look each one up in the card catalog!

ACRL published ACRL University Library Statistics, 1987-88, and Collection Development Policies for College Libraries, CLIP Note #11.

Strategic management directions

Staff worked with ACRL president Joe Boissé and Budget and Finance Committee chair Linda Piele on an information sheet about the dues increase to be voted on by members.

JoAn Segal continued to work with other division leaders and staff and with ALA leaders and staff on a new Operating Agreement between ALA and divisions. Data collected will help divisions assess the financial impact of proposed changes.

Ballots were prepared for the Spring elections.

Sheryl Stephens has accepted a position with the American Bar Association effective in mid- April.— JoAn S. Segal, ACRL Executive Director. ■■