Last fall's successful FACRL program, "Reinventing Outreach: The New Frontier" brought together 60 librarians from across the state to discuss and brainstorm new ways to approach user outreach. Evaluations were overwhelmingly positive with some helpful recommendations for future programs. Looking ahead, the board is accepting presentation proposals through April 11 for its 2008 program, "Proving Your Worth and Adding Value to Your Institution," to be held Friday, November 7, at the University of North Florida - see http://facrl.fcla.edu/programs/Fall2008Program/callpresentations2008.html for details. At a time when budgets are tightening and pressures mount to demonstrate the value of academic libraries to institutional missions, it is critical to carve out time to share ideas about new directions and celebrate the many contributions our libraries are making. As an added bonus, the program will include an opportunity to tour UNF's library, which completed a major addition/renovation in December 2005. For a sneak preview, check out http://www.unf.edu/library/guides/factsheet.html.

The Board recently reviewed the FACRL bylaws and proposes a few changes to be voted on at a general membership meeting following the April 22nd Board meeting at the Tradewinds Resort and Conference Center, Spotted Curlew room, 4-6pm. Details are posted at http://facrl.fcla.edu/bylawsrev042208.html. One of the primary objectives underlying the changes is to increase member participation by allowing online balloting for elections and bylaws amendments. In addition, the Board is always seeking other ways to engage members more effectively. For example, during the past year the Board was more proactive in reaching out to FACRL members via e-mail, including forwarding communications from ACRL. A recent e-mail call for submissions of news items for the FACRL Newsletter yielded feedback from 19 libraries, the most ever received.

The general membership meeting on April 22nd will include elections for two FACRL Board positions: Vice President/President Elect and Secretary. The Board extends its sincere thanks to those Board members who will complete their terms of office this spring: Nora Quinlan, Past President; Beatrice Nichols, Secretary; and Michelle Apps, Board member. Their contributions to Florida's academic library community through FACRL have been notable and much appreciated. The Board is pleased to announce the nominees for Vice President/President Elect - Carol Ann Moon, Reference Librarian and Assistant Professor, Saint Leo University - and Secretary - Nancy Cunningham, Associate Director for Reference and Instruction, University of South Florida. Additional nominations may be put forward at the meeting.

All FACRL members are welcome at the Board and membership meetings. Your participation and suggestions help make FACRL a truly dynamic organization.

Betsy Simpson
President, FACRL

Chair, Cataloging and Metadata Department
George A. Smathers Libraries
University of Florida