Aldo Leopold, a writer born in my hometown and a pioneer in modern conservation, once wrote, “We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” His words resonate powerfully with … Continue reading Sustainability at Our Core
American Library Association (ALA) President Cindy Hohl called the third, final Council meeting of ALA’s 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia to order at 9:08 a.m. on June 30. The agenda (CD#8.6) was adopted. Asking those in the room to stand, Hohl read the names of the people to be recognized by memorial resolutions: … Continue reading Council III: Strategic Plan Approved
The hybrid Council rules (CD#5.2) and the agenda (CD#8.5) were adopted. Committee on Organization Chair Kim DeNero-Ackroyd presented an action item (CD#27.1) to reunify the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). This vote was the second of two consecutive votes required of the Council. The motion … Continue reading Council II: Interpretations of Library Bill of Rights Approved
The hybrid Council rules (CD#5.2) and agenda (CD#8.4) were adopted. The minutes from ALA’s 2025 LibLearnX Conference in Phoenix (CD#2.2) meetings were approved, and the minutes from the May Council meeting (CD#2.3) were approved. Preceding the start of Council I, during the ALA–Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) Council meeting, Emily Drabinski—ALA-APA immediate past president—presented an action … Continue reading Council I: Streamlining Divisions and Processes
A panel of ALA and library leaders speculated on how the association might evolve to better serve libraries during “ALA at 150: Envisioning the Next 50 Years—How Will ALA Empower Libraries and Library Workers in 2076,” a June 28 session at ALA’s 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Philadelphia. Moderator Joe Thompson, director of public … Continue reading Visions of 2076
1989 ALA creates the Task Force on the Environment, timed with Earth Day’s 20th anniversary in 1990. The task force is now part of the Sustainability Round Table (SustainRT). 1990 ALA introduces Environmental Issues to its Policy Manual, urging librarians and library governing boards to “collect and provide information [to patrons] on the condition of our … Continue reading Commitments to Conservation
Council approved the meeting’s agenda (CD#8.6), and Drabinski announced memorial resolutions for: Joseph John Harzbecker, Jr. (M#7) Nancy E. Gwinn (M#8) Karen Crane (M#9) William Noel (M#10) Carole J. McCollough (M#11) Phyllis Jean Fisher (M#12) Linda Anne Dougherty (M#13) Delaine Andree Eastin(M#14) Jodie Gambill (M#15) Carolyn V. Neal (M#16) Marcia Goodfellow Schatz (M#17) James (Jim) … Continue reading Council III: Update on Filling President-Elect Vacancy
The second day of Council at Annual involved committee reports and a wide-ranging discussion about the future of the Association.
The Council rules (CD#5.1) and agenda (CD#8.4) were adopted. The minutes from ALA’s 2024 LibLearnX Conference in Baltimore (CD#2.2) meetings were approved. Interim ALA Executive Director Leslie Burger shared the Executive Board’s actions since LibLearnX (CD#15.1) and the implementation of Council Actions from the January conference (#9.1). Cindy Hohl, ALA president-elect and Committee on Committees … Continue reading Council I: Elevating Intellectual Freedom
The Council II agenda was adopted (CD#8.2) and Drabinski addressed memorial resolutions honoring Hwa-Wei Lee (M-#1), George Needham (M-#2), Candy Morgan (M-#3) , Betty-Carol Sellen (M-#4), Adonna “Donna” C. Fleming (M-#5), and Donna Louise Gilton (M-#6). She also announced tribute resolutions recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Sustainability Round Table (T-#1) and honoring retiring Maryland … Continue reading Council II: Resolution to Condemn Destruction of Gaza Libraries Passes
The Hybrid Council Meeting Rules (CD#5) and Council I agenda (CD#8.1) were adopted. The minutes from the June 2023 Annual Conference Membership and Council Meetings and the November 2023 Special Virtual Council Meeting (CD#2–#2.1) were also approved. ALA Interim Executive Director Leslie Burger reviewed Executive Board actions since the 2023 Annual Conference meetings (CD#15) and … Continue reading Council I: Discussion of Ceasefire Statement Postponed
The meeting began with memorial resolutions honoring Josephine Maria (Riss) Fang (M-#8); David Goodman (M-#9); Chris Cottrill (M-#10); Jen Angel (M-#11); Bill Ott (M-#12); Kristen A. Cooper (M-#13); Esperanza Bravo de Varona (M-#14); Helene Lafrance (M-#15); James Henry Jacobs, Jr. (M-#16); Paul Cappuzzello (M-#17); Patricia A. Wand (M-#18); David S. Baugh (M-#19); Rebecca Taylor Bingham … Continue reading Council III: Inquiry into Conference Date Changes Approved
