[Publib] [Fwd: Judith Krug -- NYTimes OPED]

[Backwage at aol.com]

When all of this is over and we have paid our respects to Judith Krug, we  
might begin to think about why it was that she did so good a job.   
Certainly her own drive and personality were there behind the work, but I think  
that there was another factor involved.
 
Krug was the only person to hold the position; the sole, persistent and  
effective voice of her office for decades.  Years ago I wrote, 
 
 
"I am inclined to think that the finest contemporary  representative of the 
values of the library is Judith Krug, Director of the  Office for 
Intellectual Freedom since its inception in 1968.  She is our  Gladstone, our rock of 
consistency,  our inspiration, the flowing wellspring of our values.  She 
occupies a position safe from the  regular eviction process which annually 
removes our presidents from office and  effectiveness.  Had she been merely  
president, we would have seen the last of her fine work many years ago.   
Perhaps it is time to re-think this revolving door  presidential 
arrangement, for our own good and the good of the  institution." 
And my view hasn't changed.   Nobody in the press can tell you who the ALA 
president is; at least a few  reporters and editors (more than a few, to 
read the memorials) knew Judith  Krug.  She was the visible face of the ALA.  
Its presidency was  structured and functions now as a revolving door, a mere 
career step for senior  librarians.  What can be accomplished, let alone 
made permanent, in a  year?  Nothing much--and that seems to be the way ALA 
likes it.   
I am inclined to believe that  Krug's tenure was an accident; a happy 
accident to be sure, but something that  will not occur again.  Why, when so many 
out there would burnish resumes  with the post?  Let us see now who comes 
after the mighty Krug, how long  that person lasts, and, longest hope of 
all--whether the ALA someday gets the  message that it needs a more permanent 
foundation of leadership rather than  simply somebody new to announce book 
awards each year. 
Michael  McGrorty
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