January 2016

ALA’s MidWinter Meeting was held on January 8-12, 2016 in Boston, MA.  ALA’s Council meets three times at each conference.  I have included below a list of links to the various documents and information that are involved in Council. There’s even an audio recording of each Council meeting if anyone is interested in hearing the actual discussions.

Council Actions http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council_actions

Council Agendas http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council_agendas

Council Documents http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council-documents

Council Recordings http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/councilaudio

A number of resolutions were discussed by Council in these sessions.  Some of the actions taken by Council include adopting the Resolution Against Islamophobia (CD# 32), separating the policies on Labeling and Rating Systems into their own sections (CD # 17), and inserting a short abstract about Internet Filtering into the policy manual (CD #17).  The Joint Council of Librarians of Color was approved to be an affiliate member of the American Library Association (CD# 25).  A Resolution on Replacing the Library of Congress Subject Heading “Illegal Aliens” with “Undocumented Immigrants” (CD#34) was also passed.

The name change for the Office of Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) was approved.  OLOS will now be known as the Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services. (CD# 27).  The composition of the new Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services Advisory Committee will be made up of the merger of Diversity Council, a subcommittee of the Committee on Diversity (COD) and the OLOS Advisory Committee.

The Resolution for Restoring Civil Liberties and Opposing Mass Surveillance (CD# 19.1 and CD# 20.2) was passed.  The full text of the resolution is available in either council document linked above..

Also passed was the Resolution Concerning Accessibility of ALA Conferences and Meetings for People with Disabilities (CD# 31). This resolution calls for the establishment of a Conference Accessibility Task Force.  The Task Force has been formed, and is expected to report back at each conference until Annual 2017, when they are to complete their work.

Of particular note is the Resolution Supporting the 2015 Advocacy Implementation Plan (CD# 35), which encourages all state chapters (among others) to adopt the Advocacy Implementation Plan to help move forward advocacy goals across the nation.  The Advocacy Implementation Plan can be found at http://www.ala.org/groups/advocacy-implementation-plan.

Memorial resolutions were passed honoring Shereen Marx, Kuang-Hwei (Janet) Lee-Smeltzer, Richard C. Fyffe, Billy Charles Beal, Allene Farmer Hayes and Linda Waddle.  Tribute resolutions were passed honoring Barbara Blosveren and James H. Billington.

I have also passed along information received through the various ALA listservs to the TLA listserv.

If there are questions about the information here, any of the emails that I have sent to the listserv, or about ALA and Council in general, please let me know! I can be reached via email at tla.alacouncilor@gmail.com.

January 2015

ALA’s Midwinter Meeting was held January 30 – February 3, 2015 in Chicago, IL. ALA’s Council meets three times at each conference. I have included below a list of links to the various documents and information that are involved in Council. There’s even an audio recording of each Council meeting if anyone is interested in hearing the actual discussions.

Council Actions http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council_actions

Council Agendas http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council_agendas

Council Documents http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council-documents

Council Recordings http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/councilaudio

A number of resolutions were discussed by Council in these sessions.  The revised Standards for Accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies were accepted (CD #10_12315_act).  Information about communication from ALA Committees and Council Committees and the lifespan of Membership Initiative Groups (MIGS) was added to the ALA Policy Manual as well as information about the new interpretation of the Code of Ethics (CD #17_act).  Council also requested clarification from the Committee on Organization on the reappointment policy to the Budget Analysis & Review Committee (BARC).

One action that was subject to much discussion was the vote to present a Bylaws amendment to the ALA Membership on the spring 2015 ballot.  The language is as follows:

Amend Article XII of the ALA Bylaws to state:

[Sturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure] Robert’s Rules of Order, in the latest edition, shall govern the Association in all cases to which it can be applied and in which it is not inconsistent with the Constitution, the Bylaws, or special rules of order of the Association. (ALA Constitution and Bylaws Committee Report, ALA CD#25_2115_act)

Also adopted was the Resolution Urging Library Directors to Encourage and Support United for Libraries Memberships for Each of Their Trustees (CD #35 Revised), the Resolution Recognizing and Supporting United Nations, Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on its70th Anniversary (CD# 18.1_2215_act), the Resolution Denouncing Recent Assaults on the Freedom of Expression as Exemplified in the Attack on Charlie Hebdo (CD #19.1_ 2215_act), and the  Resolution on Preserving Public Access to Scientific and Technical Reports Available through the National Technical Information Service (CD #20.1_2215_act).

The Resolution on the Destruction of Libraries and Schools in Gaza in 2014 (CD #32_Revised_2315_act) was defeated after extensive discussion.

Memorial resolutions were passed honoring Diane P. Monnier, Jean E. Lowrie, Roger C. Greer, Chris Olson, Ruth V. Bell, Ferol Ann Accola Foos, Miriam Drake, Lois Mai Chan, Judith Hopkins, Mary Woodley, Julia Claire Blixrud, Vivian Blache Cazayoux, Ernest A. DiMattia, Jr., John H. Hunter, Donald J. Sager, Leslie Feinberg, and Paul Kay Sybrowsky.  Tribute resolutions were passed honoring Nathan Scott, The Ferguson Municipal Public Library, Linda H. Lord, Charles Wilt, and Tom Wheeler.

June 2014

ALA’s Midwinter Meeting was held June 26-July 1, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV.  My apologies for the late report – what happens during ALA Council in Vegas should not, in fact, stay in Vegas! ALA’s Council meets three times at each conference. I have included below a list of links to the various documents and information that are involved in Council. There’s even an audio recording of each Council meeting if anyone is interested in hearing the actual discussions.

• Council Actions http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council_actions
• Council Agendas http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council_agendas
• Council Documents http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council-documents
• Council Recordings http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/councilaudio

A number of resolutions were discussed by Council in these sessions.   Resolutions passed included the action items in the Report of the Presidential Task Force on Electronic Communication for the ALA Council (CD#10).  These included guidelines for the council electronic list, guidelines for the posting of Council Documents, and a resolution for the future review of the guidelines.  Also passed was the Resolution in Support of Stable Funding for Air Force Libraries (CD#43) which states “That the American Library Association, on behalf of its members:

1. urges the United States Congress to direct the Department of Defense (DoD) and United States Air Force (USAF) to restore funding to Air Force Base and Command Libraries to FY2011 levels for staffing, materials, services and programs; and
2. urges the Administration, DoD and USAF to develop responsible information and budget management strategies for Air Force Base and Command Libraries that aligns them directly with appropriated funds, rather than through base operations, where library funding is vulnerable to additional local cuts.”

ALA Council also discussed and passed resolutions emphasizing the importance of receiving reports from ALA or Council Committees and the importance of having meeting minutes and other reports available from various Divisions and Roundtables.   These included an addition to the ALA Policy Manual, section A.4.3.16.1 and action items from CD#27.1, Report of the Committee on Organization

Council also adopted the Resolution on Granting the District of Columbia Government Budget Autonomy to Allow City Services, including Libraries, to Remain Open during a Federal Government Shutdown (CD#45).  This resolution states “That the American Library Association, on behalf of its members, urges Congress to grant the District of Columbia budget autonomy in order to prevent the unnecessary closing of city government facilities, including public libraries, in the event of a federal government shutdown.”

ALA Council also adopted the Resolution on Digitization of U.S. Government Documents (CD#20.6), the Resolution Reaffirming Support for National Open Internet Policies and “Network Neutrality,”(CD#20.7), and the revised interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights (CD#19.4-19.17).  Also adopted were CD#40.1, The Copyright: An Interpretation of the Code of Ethics (the first interpretation of the Code of Ethics), and CD#18.1, directing ALA to become a signatore on the Lyon Declaration of Access to Information and Development.

Memorial and Tribute resolutions were passed honoring Eliza Dresang, M-#5; Marilyn Lea Miller, M-#6; Emily Stewart Boyce, M-#7; Margaret Mary (Maggie) Kimmel, M-#8; Birdie MacLennan, M-#9; Nancy Garden, M-#10; Esther Crawford; M-#11; Crenetha Session Brunson, M-#12; and Ernie DiMattia (no document).ADOPTED, Tribute Resolution Honoring 75th Anniversary of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL).

January 2014

ALA’s Midwinter Meeting was held January 24-28, 2014 in Philadelphia, PA. ALA’s Council meets three times at each conference. I have included below a list of links to the various documents and information that are involved in Council. There’s even an audio recording of each Council meeting if anyone is interested in hearing the actual discussions.

• Council Actions http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council_actions
• Council Agendas http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council_agendas
• Council Documents http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council-documents
• Council Recordings http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/councilaudio

A number of resolutions were discussed by Council in these sessions.  Resolutions that were passed include the Resolution on Electronic Communications for ALA Council (CD #34) and the Resolution to Improve Member Access to ALA Unit Governing Information (CD #35).   The full resolved clauses of these resolutions are found at the links above.   Also passed was a new ALA Award, The Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity (CD #36)

Also discussed was the Resolution on Whistleblower Edward Snowden (CD #37).  This resolution did not pass.

The Resolution to allow programs at American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meetings (CD# 38) was sent to ALA’s Budget Analysis & Review Committee for review before it is discussed by Council.  This resolution seeks to change current ALA policy to allow programs (instead of discussion groups and other types of sessions) to happen at all Midwinter meetings.  I welcome any and all feedback on this issue, as it is likely to come up for discussion in the June Council sessions.

Memorial and Tribute resolutions were passed honoring Augusta “Gussie” Clark, Major Owens, Dr. Nasser Sharify, Dr. Bohdan Stephan Wynar and Giovanni’s Room Bookstore and Owner Ed Hermance.

I have also passed along information received through the various ALA listservs to the TLA listserv.

If there are questions about the information here, any of the emails that I have sent to the listserv, or about ALA and Council in general, please let me know! I can be reached via email at tla.alacouncilor@gmail.com.

In the interest of transparency, I’m posting my Tennessee Chapter Councilor report to the Tennessee Library Association Board of Directors here as well as via the Tennessee Library Association listserv.

June 2013

ALA’s Annual Meeting was held June 28‐July 2, 2013 in Chicago, IL. ALA’s Council meets three times at each conference. I have included below a list of links to the various documents and information that are involved in Council. There’s even an audio recording of each Council meeting if anyone is interested in hearing the actual discussions.

• Council Actions http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council_actions
• Council Agendas http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council_agendas
• Council Documents http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/council-documents
• Council Recordings http://www.ala.org/aboutala/governance/council/councilaudio

A number of resolutions were passed at Council. Some of the highlights include the passage of these resolutions: Resolution Reaffirming ALA’s Commitment to Basic Literacy (CD #37), the Declaration for the Right to Libraries (CD #40), the Resolution Commending the Freedom to Read Foundation for Defending Videogames (CD #47), the Resolution on Library Service to the Community in a Disaster (CD #41), and the Resolution Supporting Librarians Sued for Doing Their Professional Duty (CD #19.3).

Also approved were the addition of a section titled “Protect Library User Confidentiality in Self‐Service Hold Practices.” to the ALA Procedures manual and a Resolution on Prayer in ALA Meetings (CD #44) that reiterates ALA’s policy of refraining from public prayers during meetings.

The Resolution on Divestment of Holdings in Fossil Fuel Companies (CD# 42) was defeated.

Additionally, there was much discussion of the resolutions in support of whistleblowers Bradley Manning and Edward Snowden, a topic of much Council discussion for the last year. The ultimate result of this discussion was the Resolution on the Need for Reforms for the Intelligence Community to Support Privacy, Open Government, Government Transparency, and Accountability (CD# 20.4 & CD# 19.2). This resolution states the following:

That the American Library Association (ALA), on behalf of its members:

1. reaffirms its unwavering support for the fundamental principles that are the foundation of our free and democratic society, including a system of public accountability, government transparency, and oversight that supports people’s right to know about and participate in our government;
2. calls upon the U.S. Congress, President Obama, and the Courts, in light of present revelations related to NSA’s surveillance activities conducted pursuant to orders issued by the Foreign Intelligent Surveillance Court (FISC) under Sections 215 and 702 of the USA PATRIOT Act, to reform our nation’s climate of secrecy, overclassification, and secret law regarding national security and surveillance, to align with these democratic principles;
3. urges the U.S. Congress and President Obama to provide authentic protections that prevent government intimidation and criminal prosecution of government employees and private contractors who make lawful disclosures of wrong doing in the intelligence community;
4. calls upon the public to engage in and our members to lead public dialogues discussing the right to privacy, open government and balancing civil liberties and national security;
5. encourages the public to support bills and other proposals that both secure and protect our rights to privacy, free expression and free association and promote a more open, transparent government; and
6. expresses its thanks and appreciation to the members of Congress who work to protect our privacy and civil liberties.

This resolution was substituted for the Resolution Reaffirming ALA Support for Whistleblowers (2013 MW CD #38), the Resolution in Support of Whistleblower Bradley Manning (2013 AC CD #38) and the Resolution in Support of Whistleblower Edward Snowden (2013 AC CD #39).

In addition to the other actions taken by Council, memorial resolutions were passed honoring Brooke E. Sheldon; Lillian Miles Lewis; Jack C. Gerts, II; Herb Davis; Carolyn Forsman; Russell Shank; Connie Van Fleet; Jacqueline Mancall; Eva Efron; Ed Johnson; Margaret “Peg” Hallisey; Robert O. Ellett, Jr.; and Fredrick McKissack.

Tributes were passed honoring the 40th Anniversary of the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA); bba Alhadi; and 15th Anniversary of the Spectrum Scholarship Program.

I have also passed along information received through the various ALA listservs to the TLA listserv.

If there are questions about the information here, any of the emails that I have sent to the listserv, or about ALA and Council in general, please let me know! I can be reached via email at tla.alacouncilor@gmail.com.