Before joining the American Library Association (ALA) in 1975, Plotnik earned his MSLS at Columbia University in New York City, wrote pulp fiction, served as a press and public relations assistant and newsletter editor in the Librarian’s Office of the Library of Congress, and served as associate editor of the magazine Wilson Library Bulletin. Plotnik … Continue reading Remembering Art Plotnik
The American Library Association (ALA) accepts and acknowledges its role in upholding unjust systems of racism and discrimination against Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) within the Association and the profession. We recognize that the founding of our Association was not built on inclusion and equity but instead was built on systemic racism and … Continue reading ALA Statement on Institutional Racism
The American Library Association (ALA), and particularly its Rainbow Round Table, unequivocally and emphatically stands in solidarity with its transgender staff and members, transgender library workers, transgender library users, transgender authors, and the transgender members of the communities we serve. As an organization committed to social justice, ALA seeks to support all transgender people, and … Continue reading ALA Affirms the Rights of Transgender People
In a June 11 statement, the American Library Association condemned police violence against people of color, protesters, and journalists. The full statement reads as follows: The American Library Association is deeply saddened by the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department, as well as the killings by police or vigilantes … Continue reading ALA Condemns Police Violence
The Executive Board of the American Library Association (ALA) stands with the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) in condemning violence and racism toward black people and all people of color. The ALA Executive Board endorses BCALA’s May 28 statement, in which the caucus decries the death of George Floyd at the hands of … Continue reading ALA Executive Board Stands with BCALA
The Executive Board of the American Library Association (ALA) stands with the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) in condemning xenophobia and racism. The ALA Executive Board endorses APALA’s March 13 statement, in which it “unequivocally denounce[d] the rise in racism and xenophobia against Asians and Asian/Pacific Americans in the wake of the outbreak of COVID-19 … Continue reading ALA Executive Board Stands with APALA in Condemning Xenophobia, Racism
COVID-19 and the novel coronavirus have upended our way of life and altered the way we as library professionals do our work. Of course, it has also impacted the American Library Association in profound ways. In March, the Executive Board made two difficult decisions: First, to recommend the closing of all libraries to all patrons. … Continue reading Libraries Adapt amid Crisis
And all this within the first 30 days of my taking the helm. On day 31, a member wrote to me acknowledging the unforeseen series of events that had played out, and confided, “I wouldn’t be surprised if you had buyer’s remorse.” I didn’t, and I don’t. Though I certainly would have wished for other … Continue reading Perfect Storm
The American Library Association stands in solidarity with and support of library workers. As we said last month when we recommended and urged all libraries to close to the public, “The health of our library workers and the communities we serve is of utmost and equal importance.” Since that time, we have been buoyed by … Continue reading ALA National Library Workers Day Statement
The vote was part of the just-completed ALA election: ALCTS: 91% yes LITA: 96% yes LLAMA: 96% yes Pending final approval by the ALA Committee on Organization and the ALA Council, ALCTS, LITA, and LLAMA will officially sunset August 31, 2020, and their members will be united in Core, the new division launching September 1. … Continue reading ALCTS, LITA, and LLAMA Members Vote to Create New ALA Division
Wong received 6,718 votes, while her opponent, Steven Yates, assistant director of University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies, received 2,448 votes. As ALA president, Wong will be the chief elected officer for the oldest and largest library association in the world. She will serve as president-elect for one year before stepping into … Continue reading Wong Wins 2021–2022 ALA Presidency
“ALA’s priority is the health and safety of the library community, including our members, staff, supporters, vendors, and volunteers,” said Wanda Kay Brown, ALA president. “As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, it’s become clear that in the face of an unprecedented situation, we need to make tough choices.” This year will mark the first time in … Continue reading ALA Cancels 2020 Annual Conference
