[Publib] RE: COSWL on Alito--Reality Check

[Backwage at aol.com]

I hear quite often that ALA's positions do not reflect the will or desires of 
this or that segment of the larger library community.  This invariably occurs 
after an action by ALA Council which someone finds to be out of line with 
their own beliefs.

Let me say a few things here, as a Councilor at large and as a member.  
First, I go out of my way to ask members what they want and expect of a Councilor.  
I talk to as many library workers as I can in my travels; I maintain a weblog 
and accept comments; I pay attention to the various library listservs and I 
do my own research on issues, even to the point of writing articles for 
publication.  Overall I find that my constituency, such as I have known it, do not 
provide very much guidance in these matters.  At yesterday's session of Council 
the audience consisted (apart from Councilors and ALA officials) of Michael 
Gorman's wife and one other person.  The membership meetings are attended so 
poorly as to generally lack a quorum.  Not a lot of people want to run for 
Council, either.  

I do not take issue with anyone who says that Council or ALA does not support 
their particular viewpoint.  Indeed, I very much wish that there were more of 
that sort of ruckus.  On the other hand, it makes me rather tired to get 
second-guessed by folks whose appearance on the scene invariably occurs after the 
close of business.  Either by choice or default, you folks elected me.  I 
would suggest that if you want alternative positions to be aired upon the floor of 
Council (or APA Council), that you register your desires before the opening 
gavel.  Even if I do not support a particular viewpoint, I will be happy to 
inform my fellow Councilors about it, and certainly to take it into 
consideration.  

Or consider joining us at Council.  That way you can do what I do:  spend 
about 1,500 dollars in American money for a five-day junket to some semi-tropical 
place (in summer) or the nearly arctic (in winter) so that you can go to 
interminable meetings to hammer out issues before heading for a quick drink at a 
hotel bar and then a novel, if you've brought one.  When you get home you can 
read about how you failed the organization from somebody who is proud to 
announce he hasn't been a member in years.  But then there is all that glory and 
recognition arising from the position, including the admiration of colleagues.  I 
will let you know when I get some colleagues.  Right now I'm trying to get my 
first librarian job, with rather poor results.  My constituents' gratitude 
does not extend to offers of employment.  

What I do see, if only in passing, are the crowds of folks at the exhibits.  
The exhibits are colorful, interesting, exciting.  And they give away stuff.  
Maybe if we gave away little stuffed animals or signed copies of children's 
books, the crowds would flock to Council meetings.  Or perhaps not.  

At any rate, I've said it before and here it is yet again:  Let me know what 
you want.  Put together a petition.  Write me a note.  Influence my decisions 
and votes.  Only don't tell me what a lousy job I'm doing on the day after.  
That doesn't do either of us any good at all.

Michael McGrorty
Councilor at large
www.librarydust.com 
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