I learned so much from that ruin. I learned the term flipping houses. I learned that wealthier people saw the homes in our neighborhood as “assets” but not places they themselves would ever live. But even more than that, before the property was sold to flippers, I learned about the gray market and the underground … Continue reading ‘Scared Money Don’t Make None’
Before joining ALA, Headrick was chief technology director at Illinois CPA Society, where she helped the organization migrate to cloud-based infrastructure. Prior to that, she held multiple technology roles with the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. Headrick has a bachelor’s in business analysis and IT project management from DePaul University and a master’s in business … Continue reading 11 Questions: Rebecca Headrick
Over the past year, Gwizdala had been serving as associate publisher of ALA Editions/ALA Neal-Schuman. In between her 15 years at ALA, she spent six years at the American Bar Association (ABA) where she was managing editor of periodicals (with readerships up to 40,000) for multiple ABA sections. She returned to ALA in 2014. Gwizdala … Continue reading 11 Questions: Angela Gwizdala
Welch has nearly 25 years of nonprofit management experience and started her career in environmental education and community engagement after receiving a master’s degree in biology. Before joining ALA, Melanie founded the Great Lakes Conservation department at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium and was a 2010 Catto fellow at the Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C. She answered … Continue reading 11 Questions: Melanie Welch
The library ecosystem encompasses the life cycles of both our users (to provide representation and touchstones at each stage of a person’s life) and library workers (to assist at each stage of our careers). Seasons come and go, but libraries are always present: creating community, ensuring representation, and upholding our values. Here are some roles … Continue reading Representation Matters
ALA stands committed to the free, fair, and unrestricted exchange of ideas and the right of library patrons to seek information free from observation or unwanted surveillance by the government or other third parties, in accordance with the law and the US Constitution. ALA opposes policies and legislation that ban content, restrict access to information, … Continue reading ALA Supports Information Access on Reproductive Health
Being brave has not been easy, but we have done it and have faced the unknown for ourselves and our communities. This bravery inspired me to run for president of the American Library Association in summer 2020. I wanted to be brave for our library community, and I also wanted to center our stories. Everyone … Continue reading Our Brave Communities
Wong began the meeting with memorial tributes honoring: Ross J. Todd (M-#8), Donald C. Adcock (M-#9), Virginia “Ginny” Bradley Moore (M-#10), Nancy Kandoian (M-#11), Alvin Leroy Lee (M-#12), Donna Scheeder (M-#13), Margo Crist (M-#14), Alexandra Sax (M-#15), Sarah Van Antwerp (M-#16), Ann Pechacek (M-#17), Sandra Payne (M-#18), Judith S. Rowe (M-#19), Tracey Hunter-Hayes (M-#20), and … Continue reading Council III: Intellectual Freedom Takes Center Stage
Committee on Organization chair Jim Neal gave a report on the committee’s activities (CD#27.1) and presented a proposal recommending changes in the Committee of ALA’s Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services meant to expand its capacity and foster continuity. The proposal passed. LaVerne Gray, chair of the Committee on Education, presented a draft motion … Continue reading Council II: Council Forum Dissolved
The Rules and Guidelines for ALA Hybrid Council Meetings (CD#5.2) and the agenda for Council I (CD#8.6) were adopted without objection. The minutes from the January (LibLearnX) and March 2022 Council meetings (CD#2.1–2.2) were approved. ALA Executive Director Tracie D. Hall reviewed Executive Board actions taken since the 2022 January virtual meeting (CD#15.1), including the … Continue reading Council I: Resolutions and Governance Policy
Hepburn received 8,947 votes in the uncontested election. Hepburn will step into his role as treasurer at the close of the 2022 ALA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C. Upon learning the outcome of the election, Hepburn said, “What an incredible honor to be able to serve our association in this capacity and to … Continue reading Hepburn Elected ALA Treasurer
Drabinski received 5,410 votes, while her opponent, Kelvin Watson, executive director of the Las Vegas–Clark County (Nev.) Library District, received 4,622 votes. Upon learning the outcome of the election, Drabinski provided the following statement: “Thank you to everyone who participated in this election. I am humbled and excited to serve as your 2022–2023 president-elect. Thank … Continue reading Drabinski Wins 2023–2024 ALA Presidency
