April 18, 2006

Dear Colleague in ATLA,

You joined the American Theological Library Association and paid your dues this year. Thank you! You rightfully expect that ATLA will provide you with member services that make it worth your while to belong: the annual conference, the website, the listserv, the newsletter and proceedings, as well as all of the other members with whom to consult on issues in your life in the library.

Are you aware that almost three-fourths of the money that ATLA spends to provide these essential member services comes from its sale of products, such as the ATLA Religion Database? So what would happen if ATLA experienced a downturn in sales, for whatever reason? Answer: Member services would have to be cut. Unless…

The ATLA Endowment Fund is not really new, but it has a new purpose, established by our Board of Directors in 2003: to secure the future of ATLA as a membership organization. I am asking you to support that idea financially as a way you can help ensure that ATLA’s member services will go on as they have done during your own career.

Enclosed is a brochure about the Endowment Fund (and its companion fund, the Scholarships and Grants Annual Fund). Currently, the Endowment Fund has about $105,000, and is professionally managed on our behalf by SmithBarney. ATLA has pledged, through our board, never to spend the principal from the fund and to use the interest to provide member services when needed.

This year, in honor of ATLA’s 60^th birthday, we think it would be a great thing if we could join together to contribute at least $6,000 in new funds by annual conference time. Dennis Norlin and the ATLA staff can provide you with more information about how to do this, or you are welcome to contact any member of your Endowment Committee.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Cordially,

Roger L. Loyd

for the ATLA Endowment Committee

Other members: Elmer O’Brien, Mary Bischoff, Pat Graham (Board liaison)