I hope you are all surviving the fund reductions we have suffered through this year. That sound you hear is the chop of axes to the budgets we all try to work with. Some libraries are feeling it more than others, but I know we all are having a difficult time.

The good news is the Library Management System that will soon be implemented for the public universities and colleges. CCLA recently sponsored an overview of the ExLibris Aleph system and I came away very excited about the wonderful features the system offers. Another interesting aspect is the terms written in the contract allowing for the future involvement of the State Library, other state agencies, not-for-profit 5013C library organizations, and not-for-profit postsecondary institutions. We do not know when these entities will apply for inclusion under the contract terms, but just think of the effect this shared system will have on library services throughout the state. Very exciting; now, if we could just get that statewide library card…

I would like to welcome Dr. Carolyn Poole, Director of Library Services at Chipola Junior College, as a new board member. Any of you who would like to serve on the board should let the current board know of your interest.

The Annual Fall Workshop in Orlando was well attended with over 70 participants; the evaluation responses were enthusiastic and we received many suggestions for programs that the Board will consider in the selection of topics for future workshops.

The FLA Conference in Daytona Beach will feature the Academic Section program entitled Maximizing Your Hiring Strategies presented by Sandra Rios Balderrama, ALA Diversity Officer. The program will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9. She will be discussing ways to maximize hiring strategies with suggestions for recruiting a diverse and highly qualified applicant pool. Thank you to Tina Neville for organizing this program.

And thank you to all our Board Members who selflessly devote time to developing and managing these workshops, Board meetings, conference calls, announcements for the newsletter, and for their enthusiastic and professional participation. Special thanks to Barbara Tuck for her excellent work as Editor of the Newsletter. We look forward to another busy and productive year in our Florida academic libraries and FACRL.