[with apologies for cross-posting]

CLA Referendum to be Mailed to Members on December 7, 2001
At the 2001 Winnipeg Annual Conference CLA Executive Council pledged to consult with CLA members on the future constitution of the overall governing committee of the Association. On December 7, 2001 all CLA personal and institutional voting members will be mailed a referendum ballot asking for them to determine the future structure of CLA's Executive Council.

Members will be asked to chose the option which they feel best supports the future of the Association. Option A is the current model of the Executive Council. Option B is the model proposed by CLA's Commission on Writing the Future. (For the full report of the Commission and comments from CLA members on its recommendations, visit the CLA website: www.cla.ca/commission/commission.htm).

This referendum is the first of its kind for CLA and all members are asked to take the time to vote on this important matter affecting the Association. Ballots must be returned to the CLA office by January 14, 2002.

CLA Responds to the Federal Government's Dialogue with Canadians on Heritage in the 21st Century.
CLA has presented a brief to the Department of Canadian Heritage's consultation on heritage. CLA responded to the questions asked related to the definition of heritage in the Canadian context, global trends affecting libraries and their services, how libraries can assist in ensuring diversity in Canadian culture and in the library workforce, risks and opportunities for libraries in today's fiscal and social environment, how libraries can better serve their communities and the importance of libraries as part of the heritage sector. For CLA's complete response see the CLA website: http://www.cla.ca/issues/heritage.htm.

CLA's Campaign for Canada's Libraries
CLA continues to take its message to the federal government on the need for continuance of the Library Book Rate, concerns about the impact on libraries of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATs), the need for the establishment of a Council of Canadian Libraries and library and user rights under copyright legislation. Recent meetings have been held with MPs from across the country and senior officials at the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Visit the CLA members only section of the website (http://www.cla.ca/members/cla/campaign.htm) for full details on the meetings and the issues discussed. The upcoming issue of Feliciter also focuses on the newly launched campaign.

CLA Council to Meet in Winnipeg
CLA's Executive Council is scheduled to meet in Winnipeg, MB on January 25 and 26, 2002. Major items at the meeting will include a review of the 2002 budget, plans for the Halifax conference, and recommended changes to CLA's membership fee structure.

CLA Associate Executive Director to join CNSLP
Congratulations to CLA Associate Executive Director Leacy O'Callaghan-O'Brien who has accepted the newly created position of Communications Director at the Canadian National Site Licensing Program effective early in the new year.

This position will allow Leacy to focus on communications, an area of particular interest to her. Leacy has done a terrific job for CLA since she joined in the late 1980s and we are sure that her work for the library community at CNSLP will continue to benefit the library community.

Members of CLA Council and staff wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

Vicki Whitmell, MLS
Executive Director
Canadian Library Association
328 Frank Street
Ottawa, Ontario Canada
K2P 0X8
Telephone: 613-232-9625 ext. 306
Fax: 613-563-9895
www.cla.ca

Canadian Library Association
328 Frank Street
Ottawa, Ontario
CANADA K2P 0X8
(613) 232-9625; Fax: (613) 563-9895
http://www.cla.ca