ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels told the Association's governing Council and staff this morning that management had reviewed the ALA budget and updated year-end projections. "I am pleased to report that, based on this review, we no longer anticipate the need for a second furlough week for this fiscal year," he announced.
Fiels said the good news was based on the combined efforts of many units:
- Conference Services has creatively resolved attrition issues related to Midwinter, with the result that Midwinter 2010 has more than exceeded expectations.
- Annual 2010 is on track, with registration strong.
- The Public programs Office has been successful in securing additional grant funding.
- ALA Editions is now on track to exceed its projections as well.
On the expense side, he said, Communications and Member Relations, ITTS, and the Executive Office "have all been able to generate additional savings which, when combined with the additional revenue, have allowed us to meet our goal."
"We still expect to end the year with a small negative balance due to the severity of the recession, and expect to use some reserve funds to offset the shortfall," Fiels added, cautioning that "we still anticipate a tough year ahead for libraries and the Association and will need to continue to look at ways of further reducing expenses while continuing to move ahead on key initiatives for libraries and members."
