At the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Denver, Colorado, the AASL Board of Directors reviewed and discussed AASL’s financial concerns, reports, and potential budget demands. The 2017 AASL National Conference in Phoenix was a successful venture, and the launch of the AASL National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries looks promising from a financial viewpoint. FY2017 documents were also perused by the board, and FY2017 is ending on a positive note. The Share the Wealth program is continuing, with the goal of increasing membership numbers, involvement, and revenue for AASL.

The AASL Board of Directors and AASL staff will be constructing the next budget with all of AASL’s strategic plans and goals in mind. FY2018 includes a commitment from the board to conduct workshops at the state-level to assist in implementing the new AASL National School Library Standards. These workshops will meet the needs and requirements of each individual state.

As part of the ALA Planning and Budget Assembly and a member of BARC, I attended multiple meetings throughout the ALA Midwinter Meeting. These committees are striving to ensure that ALA, and therefore AASL, is functioning in a manner to be good stewards for our members and to ensure that our organization is financially sound. Budgetary discussions, change in dues’ structures, and organizational effectiveness discussions are ongoing and will continue in June at ALA Annual in New Orleans.

Read other ALA Midwinter 2018 reports from AASL’s For the Record:

• AASL President
• AASL President-Elect
• AASL Representative to ALA Council
• AASL Affiliate Assembly Chair

Author: Judith Deichman

AASL Treasurer

Categories: Association News, News