Answers about the changes coming to CLAU
This is a process, so please be patient with us! As decisions are made, more information will be posted. If you don't see your question yet, feel free to send us an inquiry through the Contact Us form.
1. What are some of the limitations that make this change necessary?
CLAU has been and always will be a very small volunteer organization. Board and committee members have put in countless hours of their own time to make the Beehive Book Award a reality. In the past four years it has become increasing difficult for CLAU to find and maintain the kind of workforce needed to oversee the award. While the board has tried to get new participation it has been very difficult, and a lot of the work has been falling onto a few people who have been carrying the load of the Beehive for years. It was becoming clear that continuing with such a small organization was not a long-term solution. Also, with the recent laws and book removals in our state the scrutiny on books and book recommendations has become more intense. Because CLAU was suggesting books to kids and teens and working with the schools these efforts could impact CLAU directly. The liability that the Board individually would take on to fight such efforts if this was to be directed at CLAU was something we do not have the capacity either financially or personally to take on.
1. Why ULA and USLA?
After doing an in depth look at the administration of all the other state awards it became clear that nearly 90% of the other states use their state library association, state school library association, state library or a combination of all these groups to administer the award. Seeing this helped us to identify these organizations as good ones to approach. ULA and USLA as the two library associations that most of our current members are a part of (i.e. in our survey we found that 85% of those who responded were also members of one of these two organizations), this seemed a logical place since most of CLAU seemed to already be participating here. ULA and USLA can give legitimacy to the award with organizations that are visible parts of the community and advocacy landscape of Utah. These organizations also offer a legitimate path for many to participate as part of their work assignments since many have authorizations from their organization to participate in these groups for professional citizenship and development.
3.Why make changes?
The Beehive Book Award has changed and developed over time for example changing categories and the number of books on the short list. Times of big changes like this are a great time to really look at things and see if they are working. Our transition team got a lot of feedback and looked at the way that other states administer awards and decided that some changes were in order. We anticipate these changes will make the award more accessible to a wider audience, make it easier for libraries and school to promote, and help make the processes for deciding the award more open so that a wider range of individuals can participate. We are excited for these changes but also realize that they may not work or that more changes will be needed as we make the transition official, but rest assured that we will always look closely at our options and work to make the best possible decision for everyone.
4: What does this mean for CLAU and its assets?
The CLAU Bylaws have long had language in them that envisioned a reality where CLAU might need to be disbanded. The CLAU Board and the ULA Board have been abiding by these bylaws which gave the Board authority to make these changes. A memorandum of agreement has been drawn up and will be signed by the CLAU President and ULA President to make the change official. At the time of this signing CLAU will be disbanded and any assets that remain will be transferred to ULA and earmarked to be used to promote and administer the Beehive Book Award.