Colorado Federation of Libraries Taskforce
Georgia Briscoe

The "Prez Group" (consisting of the presidents of the five major library organizations in Colorado: CLA, CEMA, Rocky Mountain Chapter SLA, CCML and CoALL) established a taskforce in early 1998 with two representatives from each association to explore a statewide federation of library associations. Druet Klugh and/or Georgia Briscoe attended the taskforce meetings for CoALL. A questionnaire was distributed on the CoALL listserv on April 7, 1999 to gather member feedback on this issue.

These are the expected benefits of participation in a Colorado Federation:

• Improved communication through shared publications and listservs.
• Enhanced sharing of resources through a centralized office.
• Centralized staff to oversee projects like membership renewals, directories, and newsletters.
• Reduced duplication of effort.
• Unity of power in political arenas.
• Enhanced continuing education opportunities.
• Increased networking among librarians from the diverse library community.
• Get more "bang for the buck" out of shared budgets.
• Reduce leadership burnout by sharing expertise
• Reduce volunteer burnout by reducing duplication of effort through joint conferences, workshops, newsletters,

These are the concerns to be addressed:

• Fear of losing unique identity.
• Fear of losing power.
• Working with diverse governance.
• Ensuring adequate budgets for included organizations.
• Costs to individual associations.

A decision on whether CoALL should participate in the Federation will be needed in the near future. The answer requires weighing the costs of membership in the Federation against the benefits. Would CoALL members give up their own membership directory to have only a much larger directory of all state librarians? Would CoALL want to pay their share of office space, equipment and secretarial help? Can benefits such as "political power" be achieved through existing organizations like the Prez Group, Colleague Connection, or CCLS? If you have answers to these questions or would like to discuss this issue, please contact Georgia Briscoe or Druet Klugh.