NCLA President's Report
April 25, 2003

No theme this time; just some reflections on NCLA's recent accomplishments and upcoming opportunities.

Our legislative activities are meeting with increasing success. Library supporters approaching state government officials in both the legislative and executive branches have found them favorably disposed to library issues, thanks in large part to our efforts last year with the North Carolina Public Library Directors Association. This year's efforts continue apace, with NC LIVE in good shape and Aid to Public Libraries having passed the NC House restored to its 2001 level. These are accomplishments of which NCLA and NCPLDA should be very proud. With Capital Strategies' guidance, they were achieved through a forthright, graceful and honest approach that effectively advocated our cause, but also showed appreciation for our elected officials.

Although our current efforts show the most direct result for public libraries, I hope no one will view this as a "public library lobby," but as an example of what we are capable of doing with a comprehensive advocacy effort. Our task now is to integrate advocacy as a primary role of NCLA that can benefit all our constituencies. At this board meeting, Doug Miskew of Capital Strategies will advise us on bringing the power of our diverse and decentralized organization to bear. I also will ask the NCLA Lobbying Task Force, (why don't we rename it the Advocacy Task Force) to continue its work in this regard.

And now for something completely different. You'll hear from Pauletta Bracy that excitement is building for the Biennial Conference. The conference will feature an outstanding array of general session speakers, and last year's dessert reception is turning into a tradition: another creative work has been commissioned for this year's conference.

Meanwhile, program slots are filling up, but remember: there's always room for more! In 2001, sections, round tables, NCLA committees and other organizations really rose to the challenge of providing vibrant programming that generated unexpectedly high attendance at the conference. It's not just a lot of programs that do the trick; it's also a variety of choices for conference attendees in each program slot. So even as you fine tune programs already lined up, look carefully at your budgets; look for co-sponsors; be open to opportunities that present themselves in the coming months; and find a way to pull together those extra programs that will push the conference over the top. If you have a great idea or if something comes your way, if it's worth doing, FIND A WAY. Talk to program chair Dale Cousins, to Pauletta or to me, whatever it takes, but don't let a good opportunity pass us by.

Next, our effort to generate memberships and reclaim lapsed members is paying off. We're now well over 1,000 members and counting. So keep looking for those potential members, keep finding those who were lost to us and keep selling the organization.

Finally, in your upcoming Tar Heel Libraries (probably reaching your mailboxes in the next couple of weeks), active members will find the ballot for NCLA offices. Beverley Gass and the Nominating Committee have done an outstanding job of recruiting candidates, which is another way of saying, "ensuring the future of the organization." We're presented with very tough choices for each office; each candidate deserves our gratitude.

There's more, but I'll leave it for you to tell. In all respects, NCLA is driving forward.