Idaho Library Association Annual Conference - Boise, Idaho
General Membership Meeting
Second Session
October 8, 1999 DRAFT Minutes
Call to Order
Dawn Wittman, ILA President, called the session to order at 1:25pm. A quorum of members present was declared.
Motions
There were no motions from the general membership made.
Resolution Proposals from the Restructuring Committee
Presented by Kevin Booe and Camille Wood, members of the Restructuring Committee.
Proposal #1: Reduce total a presidential term from 4 years to 3 years, eliminating the position of second vice-president. In conjunction with this, create a new position for conference chair and chair-elect.
Discussion from the general membership: Max Leek asked if the Conference Chairperson position would be a voting position. Camille Wood responded that the position would be a non-voting position. The Conference Chairperson would be expected to attend executive board meetings and the Association would pay for that travel. Adrien Taylor questioned who would be planning the spring regional conferences. Camille Wood indicated that the first vice-president position would do the planning.
MSA that the presidential term is reduced from 4 years to 3 years, eliminating the position of second vice-president; and that new positions for conference chair and chair-elect be created.
Proposal #2: Dissolve the Trustee/Friends division.
Discussion from the general membership: Jim Fullerton indicated members of the Trustees and Friends Division comprised at least one-fourth of the membership of the Idaho Library Association. It was felt by the trustee/friends group present at the conference that this division wanted to continue to be recognized as a division and participate as a part of the Executive Board. Paul Holland encouraged the general membership to vote no on the proposal. Robert Wright asked the reason for the proposal to dissolve the division. Kevin Booe responded with the following reasons: low conference attendance at the annual conferences; increased difficulty in finding an individual to chair the division; and the State Library’s strong commitment for providing continuing education for trustees. Adrien Taylor confirmed that even though it is often difficult to involve trustees and friends in the annual conferences, he does not want to exclude them from having a voice in the activity of the Association. Jennifer O’Laughlin stated the Trustee/Friends Division provides about $1900.00 in revenue to the Association. The trustees and the friends are representatives of the citizens of Idaho and probably should not be cut out of representation. Ann Abrahms reiterated the strong support of trustees and friends helped make the LiLI-D project happen because of their contacts with state legislators. Another trustee spoke of the concept of “boss” or trustee influence if trustees were incorporated in with the Public Library Division - librarians may not speak out as freely. Marge Hooper pointed out there was a larger group of trustees in attendance at this year’s conference than in the past, thus a show of better support.
With a call for the question and a move for the previous question, the proposal failed.
It is noted that Camille Wood, as representative for the Reorganization Committee, stated the Committee had no intention to portray trustees/friends as not being needed in the Association. The committee’s main concern was a lack of involvement and leadership in the Division. Dawn Wittman voiced similar concerns and applauded the impact and call to action which occurred in the Trustee/Friends Division as a result of the pending threat of dissolving the Division. Lori Keenan noted the participation of trustee and friends groups have given strength for legislative action. Adrien Taylor acknowledged the Reorganization Committee in their efforts on behalf of this proposal.
Proposal #3: Resolution to amend ALA councilor term of office
Whereas the Idaho Library Association is a chapter of the American Library Association, and,
Whereas, chapter membership entitles the Idaho Library Association to one representative to the American Library Association council as spelled out in the American Library Association bylaws, Article IV, Section 2 (b), and,
Whereas, the general membership of the American Library Association ratified a term length reduction of councilors from four years to three years in Spring 1998,
Therefore, be it resolved, that the Idaho Library Association bylaws, Article IV, Section 4 (g) be changed to read that the term of office for the ALA councilor will be three years.
Discussion: Adrien Taylor commented that action on this proposal seems immediate. Robert Wright asked Camille Wood, the current ALA representative, how she felt about this issue. Camille responded that she felt it was imperative to be in agreement with ALA policy as the alternative would be for Idaho to secede from representation. She felt we had no choice other than to make the bylaw change.
Resolution passed unanimously.
Resolutions from the Floor, each passed with a round of applause.
Resolution presented by Dawn Wittman:
Whereas, the Idaho Library Association holds annual conferences for the education and benefit of its members,
And whereas, the 1999 conference has been educational, informative, and provocative,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Idaho Library Association shows its appreciation to Ron Force and the conference committee for a successful annual conference.
Presented by Ron Force:
Whereas, the Idaho Library Association holds its conferences annually in various locations,
And whereas, the local arrangements committee is vital to a successful and smoothly-run conference,
And whereas, the 1999 Boise Conference has been characterized by comfortable facilities and services,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Idaho Library Association thanks and commends Janet Strong and the local arrangements committee for a successful 1999 conference.
Also presented by Ron Force:
Whereas, leadership is a vital component in the success of an organization,
And whereas, Dawn Wittman has served the Idaho Library Association in an exemplary manner as President, 1998-99,
Therefore, be it resolved that the Idaho Library Association thanks and commends Dawn Wittman for her services to the Association.
Gavel of presidency passed from Dawn Wittman to Ron Force
The Association has run on a deficient budget for the past two years and through the efforts of the executive board and the general membership, the Association is once again in the “black.” Association President Force invited the membership to meet at the confluence of the Snake and the Clearwater in Lewiston for Conference 2000.
Reports
Legislative Committee Chairperson Lynn Melton
Idaho Library Association will not be sponsoring any bills this year. However, there are unsubstantiated rumors of issues that may be of keen interest of the Association.
District Library Formation
Ann Joslin reported: From recent issues concerning public libraries, trustees, and unserved population areas in Jefferson County, may come legislation that would give county commissions, rather than voters, the power to decide the establishment of a library district and its taxation - or lack of - for services. Charlie Bolles indicated that the state library board has brought suit against Jefferson County Commissioners. Additionally in Idaho County, county commissioners would not allow an election to be held after proper procedure had been followed. When confronted with the fact they were breaking Idaho law, the commissioners then allowed the election. This issue is important to us as an Association, as there is a significant number of Idahoans this affects. Sixteen to seventeen percent of Idaho is still not served by with library service. There was a consensus of Association members to oppose legislation, which would take away the power of the voters to decide establishment of library districts.
Youth members of City Library Boards
In a move by the mayor of Boise, representation of youth on library boards would be established. It is not clear whether this would be a sixth member or a replacement of a fifth adult member of the board. It was also not clear whether the youth trustee would have voting rights. There is a suggestion of an advisory youth representative as an underage representative cannot be legally responsible as a board member.
Recall of City Library Board Members
In view of the situation in Nampa where the city council wanted to dissolve the entire Nampa Public Library Board of Trustees, there is a movement to establish legislation that would allow easier removal of library boards of trustees from office. From the Associations viewpoint, boards are appointed to keep the members out of the political arena.
Issue of School funding and Filtering of the Internet in Libraries
This concerns issues of minors’ access to inappropriate Internet sites. The Association views this as an issue of decisions made at the local level, rather than at the federal or state level.
Removal of Protection of Librarians from the Harmful to Minors Act
The Association would oppose any change in status protecting librarians from prosecution under the guidelines of the Harmful to Minors Act.
There was a call to both the Legislative Committee and the Public Relations and Advocacy Committee to work closely together over the next year in regards to any pending legislation.
Adjournment
With no further business, the Second General Session adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Christine Reynolds, Secretary