Greetings Membership, The HBCU Library Alliance is now in its second decade of service to member libraries. For the past ten years, the HBCU Library Alliance, with personnel expenses and programs and services funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and support from LYRASIS, has strengthened libraries through leadership development, photographic preservation and digital services. Funding from the Mellon Foundation that funds personnel expenses ends on June 30,2013. At the recent October Membership meeting, there was discussion on sustainable strategies for HBCU Library Alliance operations and services. I also informed you of the need for a second dues increase in order to continue HBCU Library Alliance operations. As a result of this, at the December 2012 Board of Directors meeting, the Board proposed a new dues increase to affect all members. The proposed increase is critical to enable HBCU Library Alliance operations once Mellon Foundation funding ends on June 30, 2013, and covers a portion of personnel expenses and recurring operating expenses. Currently, membership dues are used for non-grant operating expenses, such as board meeting expenses, office space and supplies, and technology infrastructure. The new dues increase is based on student FTE and affects all members. Student FTE Proposed Annual Dues 5,000 FTE and higher $1,500.00 2,000 FTE - 4,999 FTE $1,000.00 Less than 2,000 FTE $500.00 Examples of factors that led the Board to propose the new increase include movement toward sustainability, the need for non-grant funds to support personnel, operations costs, and critical initiatives such as digital preservation. The Board is requesting your input before approving any changes in dues. To obtain that input, members have received registration links for three web-based membership forums detailed below. We will present additional information regarding the dues increase and solicit your input at the forums. If you haven't registered, please complete the Doodle poll for your tier as soon as possible so that we have an accurate record of attendance. $250.00 tier - Thursday, January 31, 10:00 ET - http://www.doodle.com/ifk6gh6b8pdxp8ny $500.00 tier - Monday, February 4, 10:00 ET - http://www.doodle.com/89eq76q44pw3hk8q $750.00 tier - Tuesday, February 5, 10:00 ET - http://www.doodle.com/pzb83e9588tfuy4k Log-in information for the forums is included at the bottom of this e-mail. These forums are being provided to present information and to solicit your input on the proposed dues increase and future direction of the organization. Without a dues increase, the HBCU Library Alliance would be unable to fund personnel and recurring expenses. Grant funding, which supports staff salaries, leadership programming, continuing education for members, and photograph preservation and digitization activities, ends in June and does not provide for long-term organizational operations or growth. The HBCU Library Alliance must create a financial foundation to build upon as we continue to promote the mission of the organization. We hope you and your library staffs have benefited from HBCU Library Alliance programs and activities and will continue to support the organization. Please contact me directly at 912-358-4329, or via email at fayoyinm@savannahstate.edu if you have questions or need additional information. I look forward to our discussions. Sincerely, Mary Jo Mary Jo Fayoyin, Board Chair Director of Library Services Savannah State University (GA) fayoyinm@savannahstate.edu 912-358-4329 From: Lyrasis Professional Development [mailto:es@lyrasis.org] Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 10:26 AM Subject: HBCU Library Alliance: Membership Forums : HBCU Library Alliance Login Information [http://www.hbculibraries.org/images/main_r1_c3.jpg] Dear Online Class Participant: You have registered for the following online class: Topic: HBCU Library Alliance: Membership Forums Date: January 31, February 4, and February 5 Time: 10:00 AM ET (9:00 AM CT) Host: Sandra Phoenix To ATTEND the class, click on the following link(s): January 31: http://tinyurl.com/aqqa7y3 February 4: http://tinyurl.com/b4o96m7 February 5: http://tinyurl.com/b3ky2c2 Please select the "Enter as a Guest" option and type your name in the blank field provided * Before the class, you may run an Adobe Connect diagnostic test on your computer by clicking on the following link: http://tinyurl.com/Adobe-Connect-Diagnostic * You may log in up to 30 minutes prior to the start of the class. * If you are running a pop-up blocker, you must turn it off in order to attend the class. * If you do not have the ability to install software, please be sure to have an Administrator or Power User logged into the computer during the initial setup/login * If you are using Internet Explorer, you may find it necessary to change your security settings to Medium Low for the class; you can return to your regular settings after the class. Also note that a microphone is an optional technical requirement and if you are unable to use a microphone, the class instructor will explain how to use the "Text Chat" function in the first few minutes of the class. If you have any questions or problems with this, please contact Lyrasis Technical Support at lyratechsupport@lyrasis.org<mailto:lyratechsupport@lyrasis.org> or by phone at 404.892.0943, or toll-free at 800.999.8558.