InULA President's Report

Larry W. Griffin
August 16, 1999

At the Fall membership meeting we took a poll of those present to determine what the membership wanted the Executive Board to do during 1998-1999. All of the suggestions fell into three categories: continue to provide research incentive funds and professional development grants; keep the organization viable and alive; provide a forum for IU library faculty to discuss ideas and issues concerning them, free from an institutional agenda. We have accomplished that. We have also increased our membership, received an additional $ 1995 in gift money, increased our monetary gift to the Dean's Fund by $100, raised $5,783 at the library book sale, a record amount, developed an on-line membership list, further developed the website and made greater use of it as a communication tool, and held an enjoyable and well-attended celebration of twenty-fve years of faculty status. It was an extremely successful year, and we all participated. It would be difficult for me to find a member who did not contribute in some way to the success this year. Last Fall I mentioned that if each of us would take on a small part in making the organization work, it would be easier for everyone. Our theme for the year was actually "Twenty-five years and going for the gold." Unofficially, it became "many hands make light work." What InULA accomplished in 1998-1999 was a result of close to 100% participation among the membership.

What does this mean for the future? It does not mean that for InULA to have another successful year, the organization must take on additional projects. InULA's growth and development need not be measured in terms of increased programming. I would like to see our organization strengthened through cultivation of our membership. This past year has demonstrated that there is significant support for InULA. I recommend that future Executive Boards read the "Report of the InULA Revitalization Committee" (dated April 20, 1993 and found on the website at www.indiana.edu/~inula/revital.html.) This document contains much to consider. During my two years as an officer of InULA I spoke with many IU librarians around the state, and each one was telling me what I read in that report. I do not think IU librarians have changed their thinking significantly since 1993 other than to be more intense in their belief that the organization must focus on librarians, not libraries or library service. Our membership and participation will increase if we can realize a purpose and mission that supports our members. I believe that we can do this, but it will require a special effort on the part of the officers of InULA. I challenge the 1999-2000 Executive Board to find these ways. I firmly believe that there are opportunities for fundraising, opportunities for InULA to provide a forum for discussion of issues of concern to IU librarians, and opportunities to support our members in their research, professional development and performance. The key to discovering these opportunities is personal contact with the membership. The key to realizing the opportunities is to make use of the intelligence, interest, and support of the members. Nothing we did in 1998-1999 was a result of a brilliant idea of the President. They were the ideas of others, the volunteer effort of others, and the willingness to support an organization that members felt was supporting them.

Finally, InULA must accept the fact that it is a volunteer organization. There is no paid staff, and one might argue that what makes it a strong organization is the fact that everyone has a stake or interest in InULA. Nothing gets done in InULA without some IU librarian agreeing to carry out some task. Some do more than others, and some do more some years than others. One should never assume that because a member declined to serve on a committee or offer to help one year means that he will not do so in another year. Moreover, some members are more comfortable sorting books, counting ballots; others prefer to do programs or chair committees. The key is to know your membership through personal contact and make the best use of their interests, abilities and time commitment.

Above all, remember to have fun. This was the best advice given to me by my predecessor and I pass it on as the best advice I can give to the 1999-2000 Executive Board.