Greetings ARLIS/NA members,

 

I hope you are all experiencing a wonderful fall.  I want to mark this time by offering an update on ARLIS/NA activities and plans. The board just concluded its mid-year meetings.  We discussed the activities of our committees, divisions, sections, SIGs and chapters.  There is a lot going on and I know many of you are involved in that activity.

 

For instance, the Professional Development Committee is looking at ways we can add more virtual programming throughout the year, and ArLiSNAP just co-hosted a virtual fall conference with our Visual Resource Association colleagues.  Our transition to ARLIS/NA Commons is nearly complete.  If you haven’t stopped by the Commons in a while, you’ll find that it is now rich with ARLIS/NA content.  Use the Sites Tab to find our Reviews and Group pages.  I suggest that you bookmark it, update your profile, join a few groups, and stop by regularly.  Many chapters are holding their fall meetings in the coming weeks, and I encourage you to join in and participate.  The board is incredibly grateful for all the work our members do for the society.  If you’re not involved and would like to be, reach out to any constituent group leader to express your interest. 

 

Work continues developing our new strategic plan.  We are in the final stages of writing our vision and mission statements and strategic plan and look forward to sharing it in the new year.  I extend a sincere thank you to all who participated in conference sessions, virtual feedback sessions, and surveys.  Your input was extremely important in understanding where we are now, and where we want to head in the future. The committee has worked hard to incorporate both our aspirations and our realities into the new strategic plan.

 

Speaking of realities, ARLIS/NA, like many professional societies, has taken a financial hit since the pandemic began.  We appreciate your patience and support as we look to ways to decrease expenditures and increase revenue.  We are currently working on our 2023 budget and will be able to share more details after its anticipated approval at the December 9th board meeting. 

 

On a brighter note, and with the days flying by, plans are gearing up for our annual conference in Mexico City (Apr. 18-21).  You’ve probably seen announcements on the listserv and I’m sure you’ll see more enticing accounts of the conference programming, the Mexico City arts scene, the exquisite food options, and the diverse cultural offerings in the coming months.  The conference webpage will be filling with information throughout November and December and the registration page will go live in early January.  I can assure you that this conference will be a once-in-a-lifetime event and you won’t want to miss it!

 

Before I go, I offer a few quick reminders:

1)     Don’t forget to renew your membership. Our renewal period has begun and it’s easy and quick from the society webpage.  Regarding membership renewals: when you visit the membership page, you’ll see that this year we’ve added a new Library Staff category for those who work in libraries but are not librarians. Reach out to colleagues to let them know that we welcome them into ARLIS/NA. Reach out also to students who can gain from our network and expertise. Also, while you’re on the Membership page, be sure to update your member profile.

2)    In your end of year giving, please consider a donation to one of our unrestricted funds or to the $50K for 50 Years Fund (we’re very close to our $50K goal).

3)    If you’re planning to join us in Mexico City, check that your passport is valid and not close to its renewal date.

 

Wishing you all a wonderful end of the year.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

 

Warmly,

Rebecca

 

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Rebecca Price (she/her)

ARLIS/NA President, 2022-23