Action for Libraries
Forward Focus: A Fond Farewell to Action for Libraries
By Brenda Bailey-Hainer
Over the years Action for Libraries has published the decisions of the BCR Board of Trustees, announced new services, heralded the arrival and departure of BCR employees, reported on the activities of OCLC Member Council, provided updates on OCLC products and services, and chronicled the successes of member libraries and their staff. First published in October 1975, the purpose of Action for Libraries was to provide better communication about BCR to its members. The first issue proclaimed:
-
The title was chosen because of its central focus on BCR thinking. Action is needed, and needed now. The Mountain-Plains region demands library service improvements. Because of the vast disparity among the libraries in this area, only leadership in a regional framework can do this effectively. Thus, Action for Libraries will be just that.
After over 30 years in publication, it's time to bid adieu to Action for Libraries. Clearly the need for action hasn't changed — economic and cultural conditions in BCR's member states still call for libraries to take action to change their services accordingly.
What's different is BCR itself. During the past year, BCR has undergone significant changes. Many of them are transparent to our members. We've overhauled our building infrastructure to accommodate more staff. Upgraded software and hardware has allowed us to work more efficiently. Internal reorganization has made our human resources more closely aligned with the services we provide. Other changes have been more visible. Our repertoire of products and services is now both deeper and broader, and goes beyond BCR's past emphasis on technology. The addition of staff has brought new knowledge and expertise to our ranks that in turn have enabled us to expand our training and continuing education curriculum.
It's time for BCR to reflect all of these changes more visibly to our members as well as the broader library community. As former BCR executive director Donald B. Simpson said in one of his early columns in 1975, "We look now to the future and a different BCR that has a new image with wider horizons."
In February 2008, BCR will launch an updated image. This will include a new logo with a more contemporary color scheme, a new motto that reflects BCR's focus on helping libraries improve their services, a dynamic new website, and a new quarterly publication with timely communications about BCR activities as well as thought provoking articles on trends in the broader library community.
So, while we say good-bye to Action for Libraries, an old faithful publication that has served us well over the years, at the same time we are looking forward to unveiling BCR's new look, especially our new publication. We hope you'll like what you see — and read.