ALA Council Archives | Page 6 of 7 | American Libraries Magazine

ALA Members to Vote on Executive Director Qualifications

By Carrie Smith | December 28, 2017

ALA members will decide on a resolution—to be included in the 2018 general election ballot, opening March 12 and closing April 4—determining whether the Association’s executive director should be required to hold an ALA-accredited master’s degree or a Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)–accredited master’s degree with a specialty in school library media. … Continue reading ALA Members to Vote on Executive Director Qualifications →

Council III: Memorials and Tributes

By Amy Carlton | June 27, 2017

Memorials were read for Eric Moon (M#10), Marija J. Sanderling (M#11), Robert Henry “Bob” Rohlf (M#12), Dorothy Evans (M#13), Joy L. Lowe (M#14), Pauline Manaka (oral acknowledgment), and Amanda Rudd (oral acknowledgment). Tributes were offered for Harry Bruce (T#2), Keith Michael Fiels (T#3), and the 20th Anniversary of Victory in the Communications Decency Act Case … Continue reading Council III: Memorials and Tributes →

Council II: Tribute to Keith Michael Fiels

By Amy Carlton | June 26, 2017

Councilor Vivian Bourdeaux, chair of the Council Election Tellers Committee, reported on the election of new representatives to the Committee on Committees (COC) and the Planning and Budget Assembly (PBA) (CD#12.3). Elected to 2017–2018 COC are Ismail Abdullahi, Roberto Carlos Delgadillo, Martin L. Garnar, and Eboni Henri. Elected to the PBA as chapter councilors for … Continue reading Council II: Tribute to Keith Michael Fiels →

Council I Tackles Climate Change

By Amy Carlton | June 25, 2017

The minutes from the ALA Midwinter Meeting (CD#2.1) were adopted. ALA President-Elect Jim Neal presented the nominations for the ALA Committee on Committees (COC) (CD#12): Ismail Abdullahi, Lauren Comito, Roberto Carlos Delgadillo, Martin L. Garnar, Mel Gooch, Eboni Henri, Jenna Nemec-Loise, and Kimberly Anne Patton. Neal then presented nominations for the 2017–2018 Planning and Budget … Continue reading Council I Tackles Climate Change →

Guns and Libraries

By Karen Muller | June 12, 2017

Libraries are one of them. According to Robert P. Doyle, executive director of the Illinois Library Association, Illinois is the only state to make libraries “gun-free” zones. What does this mean for libraries elsewhere? What steps should we take to ensure libraries as a safe space? In January, at the 2017 Midwinter Meeting in Atlanta, … Continue reading Guns and Libraries →

Library professionals joined the Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women on January 21. Photo: Cognotes

2017 Midwinter Wrap-Up

By Greg Landgraf | March 1, 2017

One response was direct and immediate action, with at least 200 information professionals joining the Atlanta March for Social Justice and Women on January 21. That event was part of the Women’s Marches series of protests, which drew an estimated 60,000 participants in Atlanta and as many as 4.6 million worldwide. Midwinter attendees gathered in … Continue reading 2017 Midwinter Wrap-Up →

Council III Addresses Gun Violence

By George M. Eberhart | January 24, 2017

Memorials were read for J. McRee “Mac” Elrod; Robert “Bob” Alan; Valerie Bross; Sandra “Sandy” Friedman Dolnick; Nettie B. Taylor; Ruth Gordon; John Shuler; Karen Avenick; Robert White; and Warren “Jim” Haas. A tribute was offered to honor Emily Sheketoff for her service as executive director of the ALA Washington Office. William “Bill” Sudduth, chair, … Continue reading Council III Addresses Gun Violence →

Council II Defines ALA Executive Director Search Criteria

By Phil Morehart | January 24, 2017

2017–2018 ALA President-Elect James G. “Jim” Neal introduced CD #35–35.2 and CD #37, which amended the 2015 ALA Strategic Directions by adding a fourth Strategic Direction: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. The motion to amend passed with no objections. Bill Sudduth, chair of the Council Tellers Committee, presented a report (CD #10.3) on the election of two … Continue reading Council II Defines ALA Executive Director Search Criteria →

Librarian of Congress Thanks Library Community at Council I

By Terra Dankowski | January 22, 2017

Todaro introduced a special guest, Librarian of Congress Carla D. Hayden, who gave remarks and thanked the library community for making her confirmation possible. 2014–2015 ALA President Courtney L. Young, chair of the ALA Executive Director Search Committee, presented the committee members (CD#10.2): Keri Cascio, Diane R. Chen, Joseph M. Eagan, Miguel Figueroa, Dora T. … Continue reading Librarian of Congress Thanks Library Community at Council I →

ALA Council poses for a historic group shot. Photo by Cognotes

Council III Addresses Equity for School Libraries

By Laurie D. Borman | June 28, 2016

Chair of Committee on Legislation (COL) Ann Dutton Ewbank gave her report and requested that the Deaf Culture Digital Library resolution (CD #46_62516) be deferred to Midwinter 2017 so that appropriate research can be conducted. The motion passed. The COL also presented four additional resolutions, which all passed. They included: A resolution (CD #20.4) to … Continue reading Council III Addresses Equity for School Libraries →

Council II Marks ALA’s 140th Anniversary

By Amy Carlton | June 27, 2016

Policy Monitoring Committee Chair Vicky Crone presented the Policy Monitoring Committee report (CD#17.1). A motion to insert a change to the policy manual adopted at the 2016 Midwinter Meeting passed. Sue Considine, chair of Committee on Organization, presented two action items (CD#27.1): Item 1 makes the definition of “subdivision” as an ALA division or round … Continue reading Council II Marks ALA’s 140th Anniversary →

Council I Passes Two Resolutions, Discusses Libraries Transform

By Amy Carlton | June 26, 2016

The 2016 Midwinter Meeting minutes were accepted with one correction (CD#2.1). President-Elect Julie B. Todaro, chair of the 2015–2016 Committee on Committees, presented the candidates for the 2016–2017 Council Committee on Committees election (CD#12). The nominees are Diane R. Chen, Ed Garcia, Cyndee Sturgis Landrum, Hanna K. Lee, Kimberly Ann Patton, Alexandra P. Rivera, Sandy … Continue reading Council I Passes Two Resolutions, Discusses Libraries Transform →

Latest Library Links

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Isabella Cheng writes: “Grambling (La.) State University (GSU) held a ribbon cutting August 22 to celebrate its new Digital Library and Learning Commons. According to GSU, the library is a state-of-the-art, 50,000-square-foot facility where people can connect, create, and collaborate and features 150 computer stations, 17,000 square feet of study space, and multipurpose space for events, meetings, and seminars.” GSU states the $16.6 million facility is the first of its kind at a Historically Black College and University in the US, and the first in Louisiana.

KTAL-TV (Shreveport), Aug. 23; Grambling State University, Aug. 22
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Trisha Parsons writes: “Battle of the Books is a nationwide reading program that gives kids the chance to participate in a competition that doesn’t involve sports equipment; all the kids need is dedicated time to read and study books. Students on Battle of the Books teams prepare to be asked questions about the content of the books in a competition style. Every year, our library district hosts the Battle of the Books program for grades 3–5. We partner with local schools to bring this fun, educational program to the students.”

ALSC Blog, Aug. 24
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Ken Fountain writes: “After months of rancorous discussions, a split Fort Bend (Tex.) Independent School District board of trustees on August 26 approved revisions to the district’s policy on removal of books from school libraries that put the ultimate decision-making authority in the hands of the district’s superintendent. It removes a permanent reconsideration committee made up of district staff from the process of evaluating challenges to books. The 5–2 vote came after at least 16 members of the public, including teachers and librarians, parents, and former and current students, spoke against the changes. No members of the public spoke in favor.”
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Book challenges and restrictions in US public schools have increased dramatically since 2021. A new research report by the Knight Foundation surveyed more than 4,500 people to explore public attitudes about restricting students’ access to books. The study found that two-thirds of Americans oppose book restriction efforts in public schools, and more than three-fourths are confident that their local public schools select appropriate books. While nearly a quarter of respondents were aware of efforts to restrict book access for students in their community, only 3% have participated in efforts to either maintain or restrict access.

Knight Foundation, Aug. 21
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A wide range of funding opportunities are available for public libraries under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to build digital literacy skills, support workforce development and economic advancement programs, offer telehealth support, and enable access to devices and broadband. A free September 4 webinar will provide essential information, examples of eligible projects, and practical tips to apply for funding opportunities. Register for the webinar and review additional resources for grant applicants. The grant application deadline is September 23. (ALA will host additional webinars about other funding opportunities, including a webinar on applying for E-Rate funding on September 25.)

Public Library Association; AL: The Scoop, Dec. 28, 2021; Public Policy and Advocacy Office
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Anjuli Patil writes: “Halifax, Nova Scotia, Public Libraries staff are on strike after conciliation talks between the employer and their union ended over the weekend without an agreement. Negotiations had been ongoing since last October between Halifax Public Libraries and the union, which represents 340 employees. The strike began at 12:01 a.m. on August 26. [In addition to wage increases, union Vice-President Chad] Murphy said the union is also looking to address issues such as parental top-ups for adoptive parents, sick leave provisions and a safe working environment.”

CBC News, Aug. 26
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Kathleen Hughes writes: “On Saturday, October 19, libraries and advocates nationwide are planning a Freedom to Read Community Day of Action with rallies at libraries, bookstores, places of worship, and other community hubs in towns big and small all across the nation. The goal is to demonstrate the broad support that exists in our communities for libraries and the freedom to read. Get more information about holding a Freedom to Read rally at your library and opt in to participate.” The event is organized by Unite Against Book Bans, the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Public Library.

Public Libraries Online, Aug. 26

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