PaLA
West Branch Chapter
Steering Committee
Minutes
May 15, 2013
Present:
Melissa Rowse
Tracy Powell
Barbara McGary
Leslie Wishard
Alison Gregory
Absent:
June Houghtaling
Jody Cole
Amanda Emig
Meghan Evans
Updates from PaLA:
PaLA is doing a big push to contact representatives on the state budget to support libraries. Please
encourage all of your Trustees and constituents to contact their representatives. PaLA is offering CapWiz
which provides important legislative alerts and advocacy form letters to assist libraries in
communicating key talking points.
 PA Forward:
Now has 34 partners. The Literacy Teams are sending out press releases on what the partners will offer
libraries.
 PaLA Annual Conference:
Has received program proposals and have selected keynote speakers for the conference.
Spring Workshop:
The Spring Workshop “How to Serve Patrons with Disabilities” was well received with 22 in attendance.
Happy hour after the workshop was fun but there were not many in attendance.
Chatterbox:
Amanda needs articles for the newsletter. The last newsletter went out in December. Melissa asked
Tracy if she would write an article about the Spring Workshop, and Leslie will submit an article about an
author visit. All members are encouraged to submit articles on what’s happening in their libraries.
PALS:
West Branch Chapter nominated Tracy Powell for PALS (PA Academy of Leadership Studies) and Tracy
received notification that she was accepted into the program!
Officers for 2014:
Chair: Meghan Evans
Vice Chair: Tracy Powell
Secretary: Barbara McGary
Membership: Leslie Wishard
Nominations: June Houghtaling
Intellectual Freedom: Vacant (Leslie mentioned perhaps someone from Potter/Tioga)
Marketing/Public Relations: Jody Cole
Membership:
We are looking to expand PaLA membership statewide and within our local chapter. Membership
committee is looking for ideas. PaLA has revamped its website to make it easier for new members to
join and to engage new leadership. There are currently only 51 members in our west branch chapter.
News of Interest:
Alison Gregory was recently hired as the new director for Lycoming College’s Snowden Library. She will
start in July 2013. Congratulations Alison!
Next Meeting will be July 17, 2013 at 11:30 AM at Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Le Jeune Chef.
Topic of next meeting will be Fall Social.
Respectfully submitted by:
Barbara McGary, Executive Director, JVB
PaLA Secretary/Treasurer