My Name Is Sue, and I'm a Councilholic

Here's my statement of concern as it will appear on the ALA ballot:

"Council faces new issues as it carries out ALA’s mission “to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services…in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.” In the 21st century, we are faced with the effects of technology, not only in our libraries but also in diversifying participation in ALA itself. The greatest barrier to increased involvement in ALA is the cost of attending Midwinter and Annual Conferences. Breaking that barrier is imperative if there is to be an ALA in the next decade.

"ALA must be proactive in giving libraries the tools to place a value on our services. We need to educate our stakeholders about the costs of library service. It’s the money – or lack thereof - that deters many people from seeking library careers.

"Public and school libraries continue to be targets of those who would force their beliefs on all library clients. As an association, we must maintain vigilance against would-be censors. We must remind our stakeholders that libraries are the only institution that offers access to information on all sides of issues.",

About ten years ago, I surveyed a group of librarians, asking why they did or did not belong to professional organizations.[1] Thirty percent of respondents did not join because of the cost of dues. Lack of employer support - both financially and paid leave - were the second most-cited reasons.

As we talk in Council about making ALA more accessible, we must remember that many of our constituents don’t care about serving on committees or holding elected office. For these people, we should consider making all programs at Annual conference accessible in real-time and cached formats.

Many of us on Council and elsewhere in ALA are concerned about what and who will come after us. So many active members are retiring from their jobs and leaving gaps on committees, boards, and Council. We are seeing a change in the organization culture, as it appears newcomers to the profession seek to participate at no direct cost to them. How can we address their concerns and needs without destroying ALA? Some of these novices may not realize the value of face-to-face meetings with their colleagues and vendors, and the opportunity to create networks. (Whenever I go to an ALA meeting, I frequently run into people who live in the same area as I, but never see in the course of day-to-day business.)

I am always open to communications with my constituents. (My constituency is self-defined: Front-line librarians in all types of libraries.) Post a response to this blog, and I’ll try and answer any questions.

[1] “To Join Or Not To Join: How Librarians Make Membership Decisions About Their Associations,” Library Trends, v. 45, October 1997.