Council I Approves Renaming Dewey Medal

Councilors also participate in facilitated EDI workshop

By Amy Carlton | June 23, 2019

American Library Association (ALA) President Loida Garcia-Febo called the first Council meeting to order at 8:00 on June 23.

This Council session began with a facilitated discussion on equity, diversity, and inclusion through a social justice lens, facilitated by DeEtta Jones, founder and principal of DeEtta Jones and Associates.

Upon reconvening, the minutes from the 2019 ALA Midwinter Conference (CD#2.1) were adopted.

ALA Past President Courtney L. Young gave an update on the ALA Executive Director Search Committee (CD#34). ALA Executive Director Mary G. Ghikas presented the report on Executive Board (CD#15.2–15.3) and Council (CD#9.1) actions taken since the 2019 ALA Midwinter Conference.

Committee on Committees (COC) Chair Wanda K. Brown announced the nominations for the 2019-2020 COC election (CD#12): Oscar Baeza, Elissa Buell, Emily Clasper, Johanna Orellana Cabrera, Leslie Preddy, Raymond Pun, Ana Elisa de Campos Salles, and Sarah Thornberry.

Brown also announced nominations for the 2019-2020 Planning and Budget Assembly election (CD#12.1). Candidates for two-year chapter councilor terms (2019-2021) are Jayne Blodgett, Jennifer Dean, Susan Jennings, Paula Laurita, Kevin Reynolds, and Sarah Robbins. Candidates for two-year councilor-at-large terms (2019-2021) are Catherine Damiani, Mario Gonzalez, Muzghan Israfil Nazarova, and Brenda Pruitt-Annisette.

Garcia-Febo then announced the tellers for the ALA Council Elections for both the executive director search committee and the ALA Executive Board elections (CD#12.2): Cynthia Dottin, Tyler Dzuba, Grace Jackson-Brown, William E. Sudduth III, and Chair Vivian Bordeaux.

Ed Sanchez, chair of the ALA Resolutions Committee, presented that committee’s report (CD#10.2). Sanchez also reported on two membership resolutions. A resolution in defense of the free speech of supporters of the movement for Palestinian rights (CD#49) was referred to the Legislation, Intellectual Freedom, and International Relations Committees for review; follow-up is expected at Midwinter in Philadelphia. A resolution on renaming the Melvil Dewey Medal (CD#50) passed.

Garcia-Febo adjourned the meeting at 11:15.

AMY CARLTON is a senior editor of American Libraries.

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