Fifteen Years of LAMA - 1978-1995

by
Bob Moran
with the help of
Fred Heath and Gary Shirk

Concern for administration and management issues in libraries and inclusiveness epitomize the Library Administration and Management Association; the division seeks to help all librarians understand these issues and to improve their professional skills. LAMA states its mission as the provision of "an organizational framework for encouraging the study of administrative theory, for improving the practice of administration in libraries, and for identifying and fostering administrative skills. Towards these ends, the division is responsible for all elements of general administration which are common to more than one type of library. These may include organizational structure, financial administration, personnel management, and public relations." ("LAMA's Strategic Plan", 1989-1994, LAMA Practices and Procedures Manual, 1993, p. 32.)

LAMA was born, full grown, from the Library Administration Division (LAD) of ALA in 1978. "The membership approved a by-law change in the spring election which changed the name of the division to the Library Administration and Management Association. The name change will reflect the broadened activity within the division, and, in fact, more accurately indicate concerns of the division." (LAD Newsletter, September, 1978, p.1) The legacy of the Library Administration Division remains central to LAMA. LAD had been created in 1957 to focus on personnel, buildings and equipment, insurance, public relations, statistics, legislation, and friends groups and it carried these concerns into the 1970's. In addition, LAMA's two major award programs, the John Cotton Dana Public Relations Award, cosponsored with the H.W. Wilson Co., and the Library Buildings Award Program, cosponsored by The American Institute of Architects, had been administered by LAD.

In 1976, a Special Committee on Division Development had been formed by LAD and the report, New Directions, was issued. A new name for the division was not only the result of this self analysis. The year 1978 also saw a change in the structure of the LAMA Board, new guidelines to govern program activities, and the creation of a new section. First, the Board accepted a recommendation for the election of three at-large Board members. Second, new guidelines for program activities included the creation of a standing committee on LAMA programs and the stipulation that the division establish a long range schedule of subjects to be addressed through its programs. Finally, the Library Organization and Management Section (LOMS) reported that the attention and resources that it had been giving to statistics provided reason for the creation of a section focused solely on statistics. The Board agreed and Statistics Section was formed.

Don Wright, LAMA President in 1978, closed his comments in the September newsletter with a brief statement which both attested to the division's vitality and noted its needs, which are familiar to all those who have been involved in the governance and organization of LAMA. "The division is in a fine state of health. This healthiness, however, has increased the work load of the headquarter's staff. To alleviate problems the Board authorized additional staff to assist Mr. Hammer. To maintain increased staff--which should reflect increased service--we must increase our membership." (LAD Newsletter, September, 1978, p. 1).

"Growth" and "vitality" describe the Library Administration and Management Association since 1978. Then, its membership was 3,841; in 1994 it stands at 5,254. Its staff now numbers 3.5 fte. Each year it delivers 15 conference programs, the LAMA President's Program and several preconferences on a multitude of topics of current interest. Three LAMA regional institutes are currently available for scheduling. The most recent list of publications contains 36 titles.

Two sections, Statistics (1978) and Fund Raising and Financial Development (1983) have been added to the five carried forward from LAD--Buildings and Equipment, Library Organization and Management, Personnel Administration, Public Relations, and Systems and Services (formally Circulation Services). Four division discussion groups, Assistants to the Director (1981), Library Storage (1990), Networked Information (1993), and Total Quality Management (1993) have been added to the Middle Management and Women Administrators Groups, both begun in 1977. Also, in 1993, LAMA established the Council of LAMA Affiliates (COLA) to support and facilitate communication between LAMA and state/regional groups with a library administration and management focus.

Outside the division, LAMA is recognized for the John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award and Library Buildings Award Program, and for two annual programs "give and take" programs, Swap and Shop and Fund Fare Exchange. The John Cotton Dana Award was begun in 1946 to recognize achievement in the promotion of library services and to set standards for excellence in library public relations programs. It is administered by the Public Relations Section & cosponsored by the H.W. Wilson Company. The Library Buildings Awards, jointly sponsored by LAMA and the American Institute of Architects, are given biennially to recognize distinction in the design of all types of libraries. A Building and Equipment Section committee co-administers the program and assists in the selection of the LAMA award jurors.

Swap and Shop and the Fund Fare Exchange are similar in their popularity and format--successful practitioners sharing ideas and documents with each other and with less experienced colleagues. The Public Relations Section's Swap and Shop participants share their best public relations materials with all comers. Fund Raising and Financial Development Section members provide expertise, ideas and promotional materials to all interested conference attendees.

One of LAMA's most significant accomplishments has been the creation of its journal, Library Administration and Management. A journal for LAMA's membership was identified as a major organizational objective during LAMA's first Board planning session held at the 1983 Midwinter Meeting in San Antonio. As a first step towards a journal, the LAMA Newsletter was expanded, first to include a special supplement with summaries of LAMA conference programs for the benefit of members who could not attend the annual conference. In 1984, an article on a topic of interest to library administrators under the heading, "Administrators Update," was added. At the 1986 Midwinter Meeting, Don Riggs was appointed Associate Editor/Editor Designate to work with the newsletter editor, Ed Garten, in the transition from the newsletter to the journal. The first issue of Library Administration and Management was published in January, 1987, and the journal has grown in size and stature since then.

LAMA's vitality has been equally demonstrated in its early recognition of issues of primary concern to librarians and, in some cases, American society in general. In 1979, the Economics Status, Welfare and Fringe Benefits Committee of PAS issued a report on comparable wages for comparable work. Two years later, PAS assisted in the preparation of an ALA policy statement on the employment of disabled persons in libraries. The PAS Economic Status and Staff Welfare Committee developed, in 1988, a statement on freedom from mandatory drug testing for library employees; the policy was later approved by ALA. LAMA President Betty Bender's attention to diversity--diversity in the work place, and diversity in library's user populations, resulted in the creation of the Ethnics Groups Task Force, and the 1990 President's program, Cultural Diversity, Strategies to Overcoming Institutional Barriers. In 1992, the LAMA Cultural Diversity Committee was created.

LAMA continues to grow and develop. LAMASOURCE, an electronic newsletter and gopher, went online in 1994. The LAMA Institute of the Year program was designed to explore broad issues of current importance to librarianship. Redefining Libraries and Librarianship: Strategies, Structures and Roles for the New Millennium, presented by LAMA Past President Jim Neal, was designated the 1994/95 Institute of the Year.

1993-94 LAMA President Carol Liu, in choosing the theme, "Leadership for Social Effectiveness: Translating Convictions into Action," made the issue of diversity the focus of her presidential term. LAMA liaisons to ALA Ethnic Affiliates were appointed, linking representatives of ALA's ethnic caucuses with LAMA through its Cultural Diversity Committee. A LAMA Diversity Fund was established to increase the representation and advancement of people of color in library leadership, and fundraising is underway for that exciting initiative. Australian Library and Information Association Past President Jennifer Cram has journeyed to Miami to be deliver the keynote address at the LAMA President's Program, "When Ants Carry Elephants: Applying the Wisdom of Indigenous Peoples to Library Leadership."

LAMA moves into the next phase of its development under the leadership of President Elect Don Riggs. LAMA has undertaken a revision of its strategic plan to position itself for the challenges of the next century. Goals for the near future include the delivery of products and services to members who do not attend the annual conferences, continuing the revitalization of the Regional Institute Program, developing programs to respond to competition from non-library information providers and from other divisions, adopting a proactive and visionary role to respond to changes in the profession, and responding to changing technologies.

These events, while significant, are but a part of LAMA's history. LAMA's full story can only be told by the members who have been part of the division and who have produced its educational programs and publications. Don Wright, Dale Canelas, Mary Hall, Carolyn Snyder, David Smith, Nancy McAdams, Gary Strong, Ron Leach, Betty Bender, Ann Heidbeder-Eastman, Maureen Sullivan, Dallas Shaffer, Sue Henderson, Sue Stroyan, Jim Neal, and Carol Liu, LAMA's presidents, have led the organization with vision. Don Hammer, Roger Parent, John Berry, and Karen Muller have been its committed, energetic executive directors. What follows is LAMA's portrait, painted on its 15th anniversary through the observations of its members.

Paul Anderson, LAMA SASS Conference Program Committee, Chair 1978-1994 "LAMA has provided me with many opportunities for meaningful fellowship, chances to learn from others and occasions to share what I have learned. As a LAMA member, you are never really alone when facing a new project. You have a host of informed colleagues who will not only tell you what has worked, but also what to avoid by sharing what did not go as planned. One of LAMA's greatest strengths is that it provides a forum for exchanging ideas among managers from all types of libraries. This kind of networking often expands perspectives on issues and opens up new worlds of solutions that a more homogeneous network might not."

Bob Daugherty, LAMA Membership Committee, Chair "LAMA has been the main focus of my professional service. Involvement has been rewarding many times over. I've had the opportunity to work with some remarkable people on programs and projects that were meaningful not only to me but to so many other colleagues."

Mary A. Hall, President, 1980/81 "LAMA was important in my career because of its variety, primarly. For me, LAMA, as an activity division, was more applicable to my professional growth and viewpoint."

Lamar Veatch, Buildings and Equipment Section, Past Chair "Most of my time in ALA (22 years) has been spent in LAMA, and particularly the Buildings and Equipment Section. This has been and continues to be a marvelous experience. I really think that the multi-type (of library) environment that is fostered by LAMA and BES has enabled me to expand my horizons and develop close friendships with colleagues outside of public libraries that would probably not have happened otherwise."

Bill Jones, Recognition of Achievement Committee, Chair "LAMA played a big role in my development as an association member. It gave me my first and most worthwhile committee assignments, has been a source of continuing professional friendships, and gave me the opportunity to organize several programs that attendees found worthwhile. It also pleases me that,more often than not, people I talk with acknowledge the practical contributions of its publications and programs when they frequently have no other place to turn."

John Robson, Small Publications Series Committee, Chair "It is an understandable fact of life that ALA is dominated by those librarians working for large institutions. It is also true that on the basis of numbers, the majority of our profession works in small school and public libraries and cannot fully participate in conversations. LAMA remembers these people. Each time an issue of LAMA's journal comes up, or each time a new title is published, a bit of continuing education comes to the librarian on an affordable basis. So thanks to LAMA, I and thousands of others do a better job of managing scarce resources on the front lines of America's libraries. We may not be ARL libraries but we have users with the same sorts of vital needs that come to research libraries. LAMA gives us strategies for answering those needs."

Gerry McCabe, Committee on Organization, Past Chair "In LAMA we have librarians from all types of libraries working together for the common good. Perhaps this is the greatest satisfaction of all--watching other librarians apply organizational skills to the preparation of education programs or preconferences for the enlightenment of both colleagues and themselves.

Over these years the opportunity to watch LAMA change into a division open to everyone, no need to be a library administrator, but a need to be a library oriented individual who wants to work in team efforts with others of a similar mind, has been a great experience, professionally very satisfying."

Rhonna Goodman, FRFDS Programming Committee, Chair "Working with the Fund Raising and Financial Development section helped me to learn many skills concerning financial development for libraries. It also helped to establish a network of other librarians from all types of libraries who are concerned with fund raising issues."

Ron Leach, President, 1985/86 "LAMA gave me my first opportunity to get involved in professional association work. I was one of the original members of the ad hoc committee that recommended that LAMA create the Middle Management Discussion Group. I was impressed with how open and supportive the LAMA President and Board were, especially since all of the ad hoc committee members were relatively new to LAMA. Of course, the Middle Management Discussion Group has been successful beyond everyone's expectation."

John McGinnis, Public Relations Section, Chair "LAMA has given me access to a variety of people whose expertise has enriched my own professional life. This is most true in the area of library public relations. Having served on the John Cotton Dana Committee of the Public Relations Section of LAMA, I have been fortunate to meet many extraordinarily gifted people. Through them I have grown and continue to grow professionally."

Peggy Rudd, Using Statistics for Library Presentations and Communications Committee, Chair "Let me just say that this is what LAMA means to me: An opportunity to discuss issues, problems, concerns with colleagues who share the same or similar interests in the improved management of libraries; the wonderful LAMA journal which I read and refer to constantly; the fantastic LAMA preconferences which are always on target."

John Berry, Executive Director, 1985-89 "When I look back on that challenging and exciting time in the context of my previous career in academia, the LAMA years were full of wonderful contacts with dedicated colleagues from all types of libraries and an unending array of both professional and personal challenges."

Betty Bender, President, 1986/87 "The most exciting thing for me was participating in the first long range planning for LAMA in San Antonio and the accompanying results and continuation of planning, growing, improving. LAMA has grown into adulthood! Congratulations to everyone bringing a fledgling organization through difficult but exciting times."

Tom Wilding, LOMS Vice Chair/Chair Elect "LAMA has been incredibly valuable to me. I think that participation in it is directly responsible for raising my confidence level as a professional librarian administrator and has led to my becoming a director. Along the way I've gained measurably from the librarians I've met and learned from, from the skills I've acquired through programs and publications, and from the leadership experience that chairing groups and being involved in program planning have provided."

Mike S. Freeman, LOMS, Chair "When I found myself the director of a liberal arts college library, I became interested in a broad range of management issues, and it was clear that looking at these issues exclusively from the viewpoint of academic libraries was much too narrow. LAMA permitted me to see the wider perspective, which is why it is so important that the division maintain "type of library" balance in its membership and committee structure."

Richard Harwood, State/Regional Task Force, Chair "Even before I became a library manager, LAMA offered me opportunities to work with managers and administrators through committee assignments. This experience confirmed my managerial interest, as well as allowed me to learn from top library administrators and managers." Hannah Stevens, Networked Information Discussion Group, Chair "When I finally 'found' my way to LAMA after several years of ALA membership, I felt like I'd found a home. I could observe and converse with people in responsible positions who had skills and experiences I was very interested in. I guess LAMA feels like one large mentor to me."

Jay Starratt, Statistics Section, Chair "My participation in LAMA has introduced me to more people, points of view and opportunities than I knew existed from my prior professional activities. Everyone in LAMA has an opinion, everyone is interested in seeing how things work and, more importantly, in making things work. LAMA is a great "everything in the kitchen" soup - and it is fun. An organization that works hard and has fun doing it is my kind of group."

Pat Latshaw, PRS John Cotton Dana Committee, Chair "LAMA has been important to me because it has given me an opportunity to meet and work with people from many different kinds of libraries. Learning that issues which affect me very little are of paramount importance to those who work in other kinds of libraries has helped to broaden my understanding of the broad scope and influence of library service, and given me new insights into the future of library service that is helpful in my own library setting.

" Claire Bellanti, Library Storage Discussion Group, Chair "LAMA members have impressed me with their skills and knowledge in statistics, architecture, personnel, preservation, automation and telecommunications, as well as more traditional areas associated with librarianship and subject expertise. My experiences with LAMA have made it clear that librarians are truly the "Renaissance Persons" of the 20th Century. We have to know a lot about many disciplines to do our jobs well."