Spring Newsletter Main Page

As the end of another fiscal year approaches, we view the now familiar horizon of tight budgets and increasing demands for a variety of essential services to those whom we serve. Because of the collective will to keep our imagination alive, we can look back with some satisfaction on a year in which we were equal to whatever challenges we faced. Members embraced opportunities at both the national and state levels of ACRL by adapting President Tyrone Cannon’s theme to FACRL programs. The theme was Partnerships and Connections: the Learning Community as Knowledge Builders. FACRL's Annual Workshop took place on October 24, 2003 (as publicized in the Fall Newsletter) and was successful in addressing the varied needs and interests of our members. At this year’s FLA Annual Conference, FACRL and the Special and Institutional Libraries Section will be collaborating to present a program entitled, "Marketing Is Your Library". Cynthia Kisby and Tracy Swank will co-chair the event. Additionally, our working lives are being touched by a major project that lies outside the scope of ACRL – the conversion to the Aleph/Exlibris library automation system by state colleges. The project has already redefined the relationship between FCLA and CCLA as providers of technology to many of Florida’s college libraries. What a formidable exercise in partnerships and connections!

If you plan to attend the ALA Annual Conference in Orlando, note that ACRL will be offering three pre-conference workshops on June 25, 2004: “Information Commons 101: Nuts and Bolts Planning,” “Information Literacy – Time for a Comprehensive Plan,” and “Scholarly Communication 101.” The topics echo opinions voiced at ALA Mid-winter Meeting in San Diego last January. ACRL is currently partnering with the American Association of Higher Education on ways to involve librarians more significantly in the process of higher education. The Executive Director, Mary Ellen Davis, Tyrone Cannon and Locke Morrisey (Chapters Council President) are taking a lead role in this new initiative. The importance of information literacy could not be overstated. Additionally, FACRL leaders, especially presidential candidates, Camila Alire and Charles Kratz, stressed the need for all librarians to be advocates for the profession both in the workplace and in our relations with legislative contacts.

Finally, all of our members would like to thank Sarah Johnson, who has requested to step down from the Board. While she served as the FACRL president, we benefited from her leadership skills and her willingness to share those talents. Barbara Tuck will also be relinquishing her duties as a board member and Editor of the Newsletter. We will always value her many years of hard work, as well as her wisdom, dedication and calming influence. We extend our best wishes to Sarah and Barbara.

I hope to see you all in Daytona Beach for FLA, March 22-24.

News and information about the Florida Chapter of ACRL.
For questions or comments, contact Barbara Tuck, Editor.
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Last updated March 12, 2004