Greetings Colleagues, I trust you're well. Today is a day for MONUMENTAL celebrating as the 5th Membership Meeting is just a few weeks away! I'm so excited that we are convening in historic New Orleans, LA. 5th Membership Meeting A number of registration fees remain outstanding. If you're unsure of your fees being paid, please contact me immediately and follow-up with your business office. Ninety-four individuals representing sixty-two institutions are registered to join us later this month in New Orleans. LA. There we will celebrate and consider the future directions of our unique organization. Come prepared to work with us as we strategize and plan our future. Join me on Sunday, October 21st for the "Using Effective Advocacy and Fundraising to Preserve HBCUs Rich Photographic Legacy" pre-conference. Several HBCU colleagues will be presenting. Join me as a show of support as our colleagues share their knowledge of the importance of photograph preservation. The Monday and Tuesday Business Meeting is similar to the 2002 Inaugural meeting. We absolutely must work together while moving into the next decade of service to member libraries. I need your input, your suggestions, your sharing of concerns. Fundraising Dinner - Monday, October 22, Oceana Grill and Restaurant, 6:30 - 9:00 Seventy-six individuals will enjoy the cuisine of this locally-owned restaurant. Follow this link http://www.oceanagrill.com/about-us/ for the Oceana's web site. If you have interest in dining with us, please contact me immediately and I'll process a reservation. The cost of the dinner is $60.00, which includes a $19.00 donation to the Alliance. Decade of Investment Financial Challenge Sixty-one colleagues, family and friends are participating in this challenge as we honor the first decade of service to member libraries. Attached to this e-mail is a Word document listing investors. Let me know immediately if there are names missing or other corrections needed. The North Star New to the Membership Meeting is the North Star Emporium. Come and purchase your HBCU Library Alliance iPad cover, universal cell car charger, women's beauty case, men's travel kit, combination pens/highlighters and pencils. You'll be impressed with these useful items. I look forward to seeing you in New Orleans! Respectfully, Sandra SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-520-0593 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Register now http://www.hbculibraries.org/html/2012meeting-form.html for the October 21-23, 2012 HBCU Library Alliance 5th Membership Meeting and the Photographic Preservation Pre-Conference in New Orleans, LA. The Pre-Conference and Membership meeting are open to directors and other librarians.