by Carol Desch, ASCLA President, New York State Library
These days, nothing seems more constant than change. Change in the seasons, change in government, change in the economy, change in technology, change in our libraries and of course, change for ASCLA!
Planning for change will strengthen ASCLA�s capacity to seize new opportunities and successfully face unanticipated challenges. An important part of planning for change is refreshing our vision for ASCLA. This also means rethinking our ASCLA Strategic and Business Plans. I invite you to participate in this planning process. Please visit ASCLA Topics on the ASCLA wiki at http://ascla.ala.org/toolkit/. The Executive Committee welcomes your candid thoughts and creative ideas for shaping ASCLA�s future. ASCLA Leadership will be meeting at the Midwinter Meeting in Denver on Saturday morning to discuss new directions and opportunities for the association.
Here are three important changes that are already underway:
First: changes for ASCLA Interface! I hope you enjoyed the Fall 2008 issue of Interface prepared by new editor Emily Inlow-Hood. Based on member input and with the enthusiastic support of the ASCLA Executive Committee, Inlow-Hood has moved Interface to an online newsletter format beginning with this issue. ASCLA is pushing the online newsletter first to ASCLA members via email. Read it online, print a hard copy, save it for the future or share it electronically with a colleague. Back issues of Interface will be available on the ASCLA website. Inlow-Hood welcomes member questions and suggestions at emily.inlow@gmail.com.
Second: changes for the ASCLA website! Building on the new ALA website platform, the webmaster, ASCLA�s will be making significant improvements to the ASCLA website. The redesigned ASCLA website will be unveiled in early 2009. If you have suggestions for the website or the ASCLA wiki, please contact ascla@ala.org.
Third: changes for Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)! To see ASCLA�s official position on changes to the LSTA program as part of the 2009 re-authorization of the Museum and Library Services Act please visit ALA’s LSTA wiki. ASCLA has been a leader in the development of the Library Services and Technology Act since the early 1990s. ASCLA participated in the first revision in 2003 and is working with ALA and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) in providing strong support for the Act�s reauthorization in 2009. The ASCLA Legislation Committee, under the leadership of Chairperson Barratt Wilkins developed these thoughtful recommendations for improving LSTA.
I look forward to seeing you in Denver! And remember, our ASCLA staff is always available to help you. Please don’t hesitate to email or call if you have questions or suggestions at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4398.
Carol Ann Desch, New York State Library, Albany, NY 12230
cdesch@mail.nysed.gov
518-474-7196