ALA-APA News

The American Library Association-Allied Professional Association Renaming Contest Deadline Extended!

The American Library Association-Allied Professional Association is extending its renaming contest deadline to January 31, 2006, to provide additional time to suggest a new name that encompasses the organization’s dual missions.

The ALA-APA was established in 2002 to offer certifications for library staff in specialized fields and to advocate for the status of—and better salaries for—library workers. “With all the challenges it faces in improving the status and educational qualifications of library workers, the ALA-APA is definitely exciting.” said ALA-APA Director Jenifer Grady. Its name, however, is not. Therefore, ALA-APA will continue to accept entries before, during, and after the Midwinter Meeting.

“Awareness of the organization and its purposes is steadily increasing, but the ALA-APA is a still a long way from becoming a household word,” said ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels. “At this point, we need to increase its visibility and create greater awareness of its important work among ALA members and the library community. One way to increase this awareness is through a name more expressive of the organization’s purposes.”

ALA members and others interested in the status of library workers are invited to suggest names that capture certification of individuals in library specializations as well as advocacy and direct support of comparable worth, pay equity initiatives, and other activities designed to improve the salaries and status of librarians and other library workers.

To enter the contest, send an e-mail message to jgrady@ala.org, a fax to 312-944-6131 or drop a suggestion into the ALA-APA Renaming Contest Suggestion Box, located in the Registration area during the Midwinter Meeting in San Antonio.

Pittsfield, Maine, Library Workers Receive 4% Raise

Public library workers, as city employees of Pittsfield, Maine, benefited from the approved 2006 budget, which was adopted on December 20, 2005. Pittsfield city councilors voted for a $2.48 million operating budget, without increasing the mill rate. The original raise was proposed to be 2%, but, because health insurance costs were lower than expected, was increased to 4%.

The library was scheduled to receive $15,000 for an elevator fund, but, according an article on December 19 th , the funds were cut and reallocated for a new public swimming pool. The report on December 21 st did not include detail about whether the library trustees’ argument for the elevator fund was heeded.

Mack, Sharon Kiley. Pittsfield OKs Budget, Raises Workers’ Pay. Bangor (MN) Daily News, December 21, 2005. www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=125572&z=182%20class=

Mack, Sharon Kiley. Adoption of Budgets Tops Pittsfield Agenda. Bangor (MN) Daily News, December 19, 2005. www.bangornews.com/news/templates/?a=125386&z=0

Pittsfield Public Library

Buffalo and Erie County (NY) Public Library Board Makes Cuts

A significant decrease in funding from Erie County meant the Public Library Board has had to make serious cuts to library staffing and operations for 2006. The $25.3 million budget, according to Kenneth H. Stone, the library system’s chief financial officer, is smaller than the 1997 budget. Salaries and benefits account for more than three quarters of the library budget. Erie County reduced its support by $7 million, one quarter of the proposed budget. The county’s support will be $21.7 in 2006.

The library director, Michael C. Mahaney, was reappointed for another three-year term, at the same salary of $102,000. Mary Jean Jakubowski was appointed as chief operating officer at a salary of $85,000. Ruth Collins, recently retired chief operating officer, was appointed to manage the new development office to raise funds. She will receive a stipend of $48,000 for at least one year.

Buffalo and Erie Public Library Press Releases. 2006 Budget Adoption. www.buffalolib.org/aboutthelibrary/governance.asp

Cuyahoga Falls (OH) Library Freezes Administrative Salaries Due to Budget Losses

Cuyahoga Falls (OH) Library trustees voted to close the library on Sundays and reduce hours on other days due to funding shortfall. The 2006 budget of almost $1.8 million is $142,521 less than in 2005. In November, a five-year levy was not passed, by 441 votes, which would have covered current expenses. The 2006 budget is 7.3 percent lower than 2005. The board approved several operational measures to cap expenses, including freezing the salaries of the ten non-union and administrative employees. Union employees, of which there are 14 full-time and 18 part-time) will receive a 3 percent step increase as per their contract.

Quinn, Mary Kay. “Falls Library Cuts Hours to Meet 2006 Budget, Site to Close Sundays, Charge for Meeting Rooms, Board to Try to Levy Again.” Akron Beacon Journal, Dec. 7, 2005, B, 1.