Welcome to the 2024 SUNYLA Conference!
First a big thank you to this years’ 2nd Vice-President and Conference Chair Charles Lyons, Local Arrangements Chair, Justin Crossfox, Vendor Relations Chair Carrie Fishner, Registration Chair, Logan Rath, and everyone else involved with organizing this year’s conference. None of this could have come together without all of your dedication and work.
Thanks to our efforts the New York State budget has been passed, and funding for NOVELNY has been secured! Thank you all for your help in this effort, whether it was through providing impact statements, contacting New York State legislators, or advocating on your campus. Without your commitment I do not believe we would have been as successful as we were. I also want to acknowledge all the work that OLIS put into this effort as well. I know Maureen will have more to say later. The New York State Library has sent out the following announcement regarding the NOVELNY funding and resources: “The New York State Library is pleased to announce that funding for the NOVELNY (New York Online Virtual Electronic Library) statewide e-resources was included in the New York State Budget for 2024-2025. Pending required approvals the current collection of NOVELNY statewide e-resources will continue through June 30, 2025 and additional resources will be added.“
As was announced at our last meeting in March. Bill Jones has stepped down as Chair of Web Development after many years of service. Thank you Bill for all your hard work! I am happy to announce that Chris Hulsman of Buffalo State University has stepped up to be the new Chair of Web Development. Thank you Chris! We also have a new Technology Discussion Group Chair (TDG). Anna Wong of SUNY Canton has agreed to step into this position. Thank you Anna!
We have had a bit of turnover in these areas, but we also have some vacancies to be filled. Jill Locascio has stepped down as the 1st Vice-President/President Elect for personal reasons. I have wished Jill all the best and hope all is well. This however leaves us without an incoming president for the upcoming academic year. Going by the bylaws this is how we plan on handling the situation. The incoming 1st Vice-President elected during the just finished election cycle would automatically assume the Presidency role. This would however then leave us without a Vice-President. To fill this opening, we will hold a special election after the conference. As the soon to be past president I will support in incoming President/VP in every way I can in order to make this a smooth transition. In addition to this we also have an opening for the Archivist position, which will also be a part of the special election. If you are interested in serving as either Vice-President/President Elect or Archivist or know of anyone who may be interested please let myself or any of the other officers know.
Finally, as this will be my last council meeting as President, I want to thank everyone for the honor to serve in this role. It has been a whirlwind of a year, but it has been one that has really made me appreciate even more the strength and dedication of SUNYLA.
It has been an absolute pleasure.
Adam
