By Gale Burrow, Past President, gburrow@rocky.claremont.edu

During 1998-99, LIRT has continued to be an effective advocate for library instruction in all types of libraries through our liaison efforts, program, and publications. Organizationally, we have made some changes and planned for others that will provide us with a solid base for future endeavors. This year, for the first time in ALA history, LIRT and other Round Tables were able to elect ALA Councilors. Having Round Table Councilors is truly recognition that Round Tables are an integral part of the Association. LIRT has been given a Council seat of its own because we are one of the largest ALA Round Tables (1122 members in 1999). Tim Grimes, a Past President of LIRT, was elected to serve as our first ALA Councilor. Mitch Stepanovich, LIRT Vice President/President-Elect, continued to represent LIRT on the Institute for Information Literacy Board. Linda Goff, LIRT Secretary, was elected by the Round Table Coordinating Committee as one of two Round Table members of the 2001 ALA Conference Coordinating Team.

Providing for the election of an ALA Councilor required a change in the LIRT Constitution and Bylaws. The proposed term extension to three years for Vice Treasurer/Treasurer-Elect, making the Immediate Past Treasurer Chair of the Five-Year Financial Planning Subcommittee of the Long-Range Planning Committee, also required a Bylaws change. Both of these changes were voted on and approved by membership this year.

In June the Executive Board voted to accept the Long-Range Planning Committee's recommendation of a Strategic Plan which has three goals:

• By 2001 LIRT will be recognized throughout ALA as a positive, contemporary champion of instruction for all types of libraries.
• By 2001 LIRT will increase its membership of school, public, and special librarians by 100 members.
• In 2001 LIRT will continue to be the place in ALA that will provide librarians from all types of libraries with practical, concrete solutions to instruction issues through its programs, publications, and web site.

LIRT News and the LIRT web site continue to be recognized as outstanding resources, providing valuable information to instruction librarians around the world in all types of libraries. The LIRT program, an annual source of practical information for instruction librarians, this year focused on electronic classrooms. "Technology in Action: Getting the Most from Your Electronic Classroom" was presented to a full house and was followed by poster sessions on creating and teaching in electronic classrooms.

LIRT has had two very effective advocates within ALA this year. Lorelle Swader is our ALA Liaison; Pat Smith is our Representative to ALA Executive Board. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them as well as all the LIRT officers, committee chairs, and members who have made LIRT run so smoothly and accomplish so much during my year as President.

LIRT has had a busy and productive year. As we look ahead, we see several challenging opportunities. These include planning for our 25th Anniversary celebration in 2002, establishing better continuity in LIRT both by looking back at our history and developing consistent practices for the future through our Manual, and increasing our overall membership with recruitment emphasis on instruction librarians in public, school, and special libraries.

Gale Burrow is Coordinator of Library Services at the Honnold/Mudd Library, The Claremont Colleges, CA.