A supplement to American Libraries 1999-2000 Annual Report AmericanLibrary Association Cover: Four photos from ALA’s photo contest, Beyond Words: Celebrating America's Libraries (www.ala.org/celebrating/photo/photohome.html). Sponsored by the American Library Associatio and the Library of Congress. Underwritten by Ingram Library Services, Inc. Clockwise from top left: ALA President’s Prize, A Reach for Knowledge, by Susan Matsubara, Lexington (Ky.) Public Library; 1st Place, Amateur, Following in his Father’s Footsteps, Shirley Gray, Union (N.J.) Public Library; 3rd Place, Amateur, Lovlie Loves to Read, Robert Britt, Evansville Vanderburgh (Ind.) Public Library; and 1st Place, Youth, Eyes on the Print, Tracy Conti, Coral Reef Senior High School Library, Miami, Fla. Mission ALA Officers 2000-2001 Dear Colleagues: Founded in 1876, the American President The American Library Association approached the new millennium by attaining Library Association is the oldest, Nancy C. Kranich largest, and most influential library New York University Libraries many of the ambitious ALA Goal 2000 objectives set out five years ago. Our new association in the world. The New York, New York association membership comprises strategic plan, ALAction 2005, is designed to ensure that the Association will remain primarily librarians but also Treasurer at the forefront of efforts to promote both the important role of libraries in society includes library trustees, publishers, Lizbeth Bishoff and other interested people from The Bishoff Group and the public’s right to information in all formats. ALAction 2005 focuses on every state and from many nations. Evergreen, Colorado The association serves public, five key action areas: diversity, education and continuous learning, equity of access, state, school, and academic President-Elect intellectual freedom, and 21st-century literacy. The Executive Board also adopted libraries, plus special libraries for John W. Berry people working in government, NILRC: A Consortium of specific, detailed action goals for the next five years. commerce and industry, the arts, Community Colleges, and the armed services or in Colleges, and Universities hospitals, prisons, and other River Forest, Illinois One of the most significant events in 2000 was ALA's commitment to a major institutions. Past President five-year public education campaign called “@ your library.” The campaign is geared The mission of the ALA is to Sarah Ann Long to expanding the public's understanding of libraries; encouraging people to join the provide leadership for the North Suburban Library System development, promotion, and Wheeling, Illinois profession; showcasing new technology and resources; bringing libraries into the improvement of library and information services and the Executive Director decision-making process on critical public-policy issues; increasing use of libraries; profession of librarianship in order William R. Gordon and generating more funding and support for libraries and librarians nationwide. to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all. Executive Board Key action areas include Camila Alire Our membership reached an all-time high of 61,103 this year. This is our second diversity, education and Colorado State University consecutive record-breaking year and the first time in the Association's 124-year continuous learning, equity of Fort Collins, Colorado access, intellectual freedom, 2000-2003 history that membership has surpassed 60,000. and 21st-century literacy. Alice M. Calabrese The ALA is a 501(c)(3) charitable Chicago Library System The Washington Office actively worked with the library community and legislators and educational organization. Chicago, Illinois 1999-2002 on such key issues as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, library funding, Divisions Julie Cummins and continuing the E-Rate’s discounted telecommunications services to libraries. New York Public Library Washington Office staff also worked hard to influence public policy to protect fair use The American Library Association New York, New York has 11 member divisions, each 1998-2002 in the digital age, free and open access to the Internet, and permanent public access focused on a different area of special interest. They are: Martín J. Gómez to government publications. American Association of School Brooklyn Public Library Librarians Brooklyn, New York Association of College and 1997-2001 In 2000 the Association added $1 million to the Spectrum Scholarship Endowment to Research Libraries continue, in perpetuity, our ability to award scholarships to minority students. In fact, Association for Library Collections Ken Haycock and Technical Services University of British Columbia fiscal 2000 was a successful financial year in general, enabling the Association to Association for Library Service Vancouver, British Columbia to Children 1999-2003 continue major national programs, expand our educational activities, and upgrade Association for Library Trustees and maintain the technology infrastructure. and Advocates Mary E. (Molly) Raphael Association of Specialized and District of Columbia Public Library Cooperative Library Agencies Washington, D.C. Library and Administration 2000-2003 In this report, you’ll find more details about our accomplishments and our Management Association impressive array of services to our members, libraries, and the public. Thank you for Library and Information Sally Gardner Reed Technology Association Norfolk Public Library the extensive contributions you—our members—have made over the past year. Public Library Association Norfolk, Virginia Reference and User Services 1997-2001 We look forward to working with you to sustain and expand ALA's contributions to Association libraries, librarians, and library supporters in 2001 and beyond. Young Adult Library Services Barbara Stripling Association Fayetteville Public Schools Fayetteville , Arkansas 2001-2002 Nancy C. Kranich William R. Gordon 2000-2001 President Executive Director Libraries found new ways to connect to the world around them under the leadership of 1999-2000 American Library Association President Sarah Ann Long, who chose “Libraries Build Community” as the theme for her presidency. “Libraries have always collaborated and formed partnerships to Playwright and filmmaker Luis Valdez some extent,” Long said, “but we can no longer do our work alone.” was among those The theme caught the imagination of Association members. Pins featured in Sarah Ann Long’s President’s and note pads inscribed with the “Libraries Build Community” Program at Midwinter logo had brisk sales in the ALA Graphics catalog. Many librarians Meeting, 2000. requested and received permission from the ALA to use the logo at their own libraries and to reprint the poem, “Libraries Build Community,” written for Long's inaugural by Donald J. Sager. “LIVE! at the Library 2000” In August 1999, Long encouraged U.S. libraries to “build A cornerstone of Long’s effort was “LIVE! at the Library 2000: community” across international borders as well by partnering Building Cultural Communities,” the ALA Public Programs Office with libraries in other countries through the Sister Library umbrella project to provide training, technical assistance, and Program. A Web site (www.ala.org/sisterlibraries) includes tips funding for libraries to host live appearances by literary, visual, on how to start a sister library relationship, success stories, and and performing artists to explore important issues and ideas that information on libraries looking for a sister library. face communities all across America. The two-year project, begun in April 2000, offers grant opportunities for libraries, authors The “Libraries Build Community” theme became international and artists, and arts organizations to present theme-based cultural in scope at the ALA’s Midwinter Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. programs for family and adult library audiences. President Long presided over a program that featured playwright Luis Valdez, who believes that libraries can connect people in E. Ethelbert Miller, an author and director of the African American ways that go far beyond the internet, and panelists José Aponte, Resource Center at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Luisa Vigo Cepeda, Jeanne Drewes, and Elda Monica Guerrero. developed a series of themes to help libraries and artists work Dora Biblarz served as moderator. Midwinter President's Program together to present programs that promote community activities also included a three-day conference-within-a-conference discussion of topics that concern them. “Losing Geography, attended by more than 100 librarians from Latin America, Mexico, Discovering Self,” for example, focuses on the migration and the Caribbean and 100 librarians from the United States. and immigration of people in our society, asking how the artist creates when confronted with new borders and boundaries. ALAction 2005 plan approved ALAction 2005, an ambitious five-year plan to promote the role of A series of kickoff events, held during National Library Week libraries and public’s right to information, was unveiled by the in April, featured model programs at libraries in communities ALA Executive Board at the 2000 Midwinter Meeting and approved from Baltimore to Seattle and included appearances by a number by the full Council. A strong reaffirmation of the ALA’s mission of authors and artists. Author bell hooks took part in a program and values, ALAction 2005 is designed to carry out the 1998 at the 96th Street Regional