[Publib] Trying to understand ALA Bureaucracy

[Diedre Conkling]

It is nice to see a bit of clash of ideas on this list. A healthy and respectful discussion of various view points only helps each of us have a better understanding of each other and how much difference there can be in the way we think, from person to person.

On the subject of appointing Alito to the Supreme Court I will say that I was pleased that this resolution was brought to ALA Council by the Committee on Women in Librarianship (COSWL). It was a very appropriate, in my opinion, issue for them to bring forward. I was please and surprised that the resolution was passed. I had told the chair of COSWL that it had a good chance of failing but it would be reported on and some would see it as an important issue to for our Association to address. Sometimes I like being wrong.

Now I am going to get real boring and jump into structure junkie mode.


First: this is the charge that COSWL was given many years ago: http://www.ala.org//cfapps/handbook/index.cfm?content=3_04_commit.html&parent=ALA%20Committees 

Women in Librarianship, Status of (COSWL) (standing, Council) 

To officially represent the diversity of women’s interest within ALA and to ensure that the Association considers the rights of the majority (women) in the library field To promote and initiate the collection, analysis, dissemination, and coordination of information on the status of women in librarianship. To coordinate the activities of ALA units that consider questions having special relevance for women. To identify lags, gaps, and possible discrimination in resources and programs relating to women. To help develop evaluative tools, guidelines, and programs in cooperation with other ALA units designed to enhance the opportunities and the image of women in the library profession, thus raising the level of consciousness concerning women. To establish contacts with committees on women within other professional groups and to officially represent ALA concerns at interdisciplinary meetings on women’s equality. To provide Council and Membership with reports needed for the establishment of policies and actions related to the status of women in librarianship, and monitor ALA units to ensure consideration of the rights of women. (The members of COSWL felt that their resolution very much fell within this charge and they pulled out some of the reasons in the information piece provided with the resolution, which has links to other sources.) 

Second: The resolution against the appointment of Alito followed a number of ALA policies, as found in the ALA Handbook, http://www.ala.org//cfapps/handbook/index.cfm?content=3_07_policy.html&parent=ALA%20Policy%20Manual#40 

A few that come to mind are Policies 40.1, 40.2, 53, 54, 60 and 61. These are mostly major policy areas of importance to ALA that do not correspond with what we know of Alito’s past record. 

Third: Each one of us can affect change in ALA if we are in the Association. We can’t do as much if we are not in the Association. At any time you can contact an ALA Council member and let them know what you think. There is at least one member of ALA Counsel in every state and usually more. You can bring an idea or a resolution to them and request that they present it to ALA Council. You can volunteer to work on committees, task forces, committees at all levels throughout ALA. You can run for any office within ALA, just nominate yourself (this is done all of the time). You can actually take the time to VOTE, something not done by very many members of ALA, and vote for people who you feel will best serve your interests. In other words, this is a member run organization but it can’t possibly meet the needs of all members, especially if those members do not express their needs and interests. 

There are no easy answers to the questions raised on this list. We all have different views about what are library issues, believe it or not. Our patrons, boards and others may also have different views. I work in a situation where I am required to participate in ALA and where the Board fully agrees with the kinds of actions that ALA took on the appointment of Alito. There is another Board nearby which would agree somewhat. There is another one that would think the opposite. Things are passed on ALA Council all of the time with which I disagree. There are things that are passed with which I agree. And I believe this is the way it should be with a deliberative body. 

Well, I was thinking about not sending this until tomorrow but I will still be traveling until next Tuesday so may not get a chance to do a rewrite. Also, I could go on and on for pages. You should be thankful that I am ending here.


--
Diedre Conkling

Lincoln County Library District
P.O. Box 2027, Newport, OR 97365
Phone & Fax: 541-265-3066
http://lcld.library-blogs.net/
Work: diedre at beachbooks.org
Home: diedrec at charter.net
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: http://lists.webjunction.org/wjlists/publib/attachments/20060125/3b49e815/attachment.htm