President's Theme 2011 - 2012
Gloria Colvin
My theme for this year is "Florida Libraries - Vibrant and Vital." It is in part a celebration, a message we need to communicate, and a challenge.
Florida's libraries are vibrant centers for learning, connecting, and exploring information and ideas. For a glimpse of the many diverse, innovative, and exciting things happening in varied types of libraries in the state, take a look at the images and data from Snapshot Day; read the articles in Florida Libraries; reflect on our FLA conference programs; talk with colleagues in other libraries; or consider the individuals and programs that received FLA awards. We need to celebrate this vibrant tableau of activities, resources, and services that libraries and library staff provide to communities throughout the state.
At the same time, we need to communicate these so that our constituencies and decision makers understand the vital role that libraries play in 21st century Florida. Libraries have a wonderful tradition and enjoy great support from people who use them, but there are many who don't understand their relevance in the age of the Internet and Google. It's our job to ensure that they know that libraries play essential roles in lifelong learning from early childhood to retirement; in free access to information resources and technology; and in access to government services.
Our challenge is to ensure that libraries continue to be vital institutions. We need to be creative; to be open to change; to be responsive to our constituencies; to continue to embrace new technologies and new roles; and to be willing to give up some that are no longer as important. Rather than debate the future of libraries, let's continue to shape a future in which libraries are vibrant and vital.
