Tributes and Memorials

Report from the Treasurer

Move approval of the new spending/payout formula and language changes in ala policy 8.5.1.

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

Approval of FY 2012 budgetary ceiling of $62,912,676

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

Intellectual Freedom Report

 

Resolution to Protect Library User Confidentiality in Self-Service Hold Practices

 

Urges all libraries that implement self-service holds to protect patron identity by adopting practices and procedures that conceal the library user’s personally identifiable information in connection with the materials being borrowed;

Urges libraries, librarians, and the responsible bodies of ALA to work with vendors to incorporate applications into integrated library systems that enable libraries to conceal a library user’s identity in a cost-effective manner.

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

 

Resolution to continue opposition to the use of section 215 of the USA Patriot act and the use of national security letters to violate reader privacy

 

Resolved, that ALA:

 

Continue to support reforms that protect reader privacy and civil liberties, especially the freedom to read without fear of government surveillance.

Continue to oppose the use of Section 215 of the USA Patriot Act and the use of National Security Letters to violate reader privacy.

Support the passage of legislation which includes such reforms as heightened protections for library and bookseller records; judicial review of FISA orders, NSL’s and their associated gag orders; and the sunset of the USA PATRIOT Act’s NSL authorities, as proposed in S. 1125, the USA PATRIOT Act improvements Bill.

Express it thanks and appreciation to the members of Congress who work to protect reader privacy.

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

RESOLUTION ON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE FY 2012 APPROPRIATIONS

 

RESOLVED,     That the American Library Association urge Congress to reaffirm the United States Government Printing Office’s (GPO) mission in providing no-fee permanent public access to government information by fully funding the GPO appropriations for FY 2012 at the level requested by the United States Public Printer.

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

RESOLUTION ON DEFUNDING OF STATISTICAL AGENCIES

 

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association (ALA):

 

Urge the U.S. Department of Commerce to reinstate full funding for the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistical Compendia Branch and its publications and data products; and

 

Urge the Congress to ensure full funding for these critical statistical publications and data products.

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

RESOLUTION TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE IMPROVING LITERACY THROUGH SCHOOL LIBRARIES PROGRAM

 

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association (ALA):

Urges the United States Congress to recognize the importance of school libraries by retaining the authorization of Improving Literacy Through School Libraries.

 

2.  Urges Congress to commit a minimum of $19.1 million designated specifically for Improving Literacy Through School Libraries in FY 2012.

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

RESOLUTION TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE LIBRARY SERVICE AND TECHNOLOGY ACT (LSTA)

 

RESOLVED, The American Library Association urges the United States Congress and the President to fund the Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) at $232 million for FY 2012 as authorized in December 2010.

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE LIBRARIES IN THE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA)

 

RESOLVED,  That the American Library Association (ALA) urge the United States Congress to include libraries in its reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).  Libraries should be eligible to receive funds to serve as, or partner with, one-stops and workforce development providers. ALA also urge that Congress encourage state and local workforce boards to include librarians because of their expertise in providing digital literacy training.

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

Report from the International Relations Committee

 

Revisit the report from the Task Force on Council Effectiveness

 

There were many recommendations for Council to consider ways to improving our effectiveness.  There was a lot of discussion but all were eventually accepted.

 

Resolved that ALA endorses the 16 May 2011 the United Nations the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the  right to freedom of opinion and expression.

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

official attendance  20,186

 

Adjourned.

Item #1.  Based on ALA CD#36.2, ALA Strategic Plan 2011-2015, submitted by the ALA Executive Board and adopted as amended by the ALA Council at the 2010 ALA Annual Conference, the PMC recommends the insertion of Policy 1.3.1 and the revision of Policies 1.4 and 1.5 into the ALA Policy Manual as follows:

 

1.3.1 Core Organizational Values:

 

The Association is committed to:

• Extending and expanding library services in America and around the world

• All types of libraries – academic, public, school and special

• All librarians, library staff, trustees and other individuals and groups working to improve library services

• Member service

• An open, inclusive, and collaborative environment

• Ethics, professionalism and integrity

• Excellence and innovation

• Intellectual Freedom

• Social responsibility and the public good

(See “Policy Reference File”: ALA Strategic Plan 2011-2015, ALA CD#32.6)

 

1.4 Key Action Areas:

ALA is committed to seven Key Action Areas as guiding principles for investment of energies and resources:

 

• Advocacy for Libraries and the Profession

The association actively works to increase public awareness of the crucial value of libraries and librarians, to promote state and national legislation beneficial to libraries and library users, and to supply the resources, training and support networks needed by local advocates seeking to increase support for libraries of all types.

 

• Diversity

Diversity is a fundamental value of the association and its members, and is reflected in its commitment to recruiting people of color and people with disabilities to the profession and to the promotion and development of library collections and services for all people.

 

• Education and Lifelong Learning

The association provides opportunities for the professional development and education of all library staff members and trustees; it promotes continuous, lifelong learning for all people through library and information services of every type.

 

• Equitable Access to Information and Library Services

The Association advocates funding and policies that support libraries as great democratic institutions, serving people of every age, income level, location, ethnicity, or physical ability, and providing the full range of information resources needed to live, learn, govern, and work.

 

• Intellectual Freedom

Intellectual freedom is a basic right in a democratic society and a core value of the library profession. The American Library Association actively defends the right of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment.

 

• Literacy

The ALA assists and promotes libraries in helping children and adults develop the skills they need-the ability to read and use computers-understanding that the ability to seek and effectively utilize information resources is essential in a global information society.

 

• Organizational Excellence

The association is inclusive, effective and responsive to the needs of ALA members.

 

• Transforming Libraries

ALA provides leadership in the transformation of libraries and library services in a dynamic and increasingly global digital information environment.

 

(Approved annually since 1997 by the ALA Council as the “programmatic priorities”

of the Association. See “Policy Reference File”: ALA Strategic Plan 2011-2015, ALA CD#32.6)

 

1.5 Goals and Objectives:

The Goals and Objectives represent strategic areas of focus for the next three to five years.  The goals articulate the outcomes ALA would like to achieve and answer the question, “What will constitute future success?”  The achievement of each goal will move the organization toward realization of its envisioned future.  The goals are not necessarily identified in priority order.

Objectives provide direction on how ALA will accomplish its articulated goals.  Objectives are considered in the 3-5 year planning horizon.

 

Goal Area:  Advocacy, Funding and Public Policy

 

Goal Statement:  ALA equips and leads advocates for libraries, library issues and the library profession, and plays a key role in formulating legislation, policies and standards that affect library and information services.

 

Strategic Objectives:

1.​Increase public awareness of the value and impact of all types of libraries and the important role of librarians and other library staff.

 

2.​Increase research and evaluation documenting the value and impact of all libraries.

 

3.​Increase resources and training for advocates seeking to secure increased funding and support for all libraries.

 

4.​Lead advocacy for crucial library issues such as literacy, intellectual freedom, privacy, fair use, preservation of our cultural heritage, information literacy, equity of access, and permanent no fee public access to government information.

 

5.​Increase ALA’s role in the formulation of library-related local, state, national, and international legislation, policies and standards.

 

6.​Increase collaboration and alliances with organizations at all levels to advance legislation and public policy issues affecting libraries, librarians and information services.

 

7.​ Use new technologies to build greater public understanding and support for libraries of all types.

 

Goal Area:  Building the Profession

 

Goal Statement:  ALA promotes excellence and diversity in the library field.

 

Strategic Objectives:

 

1. Ensure that library education and training reflect the core values of the profession and the needs of the communities served by libraries of all types.

 

2.​Increase the availability of and access to continuing education, career development and certification opportunities for librarians, library staff, trustees and library advocates.

 

3.​Provide increased leadership and career development opportunities for Library and Information Science students.

 

4.​Increase the diversity of the library workforce to reflect an increasingly diverse national and global community.

 

5.​Increase ALA activities to assist libraries in recruiting, developing and retaining a high-quality, diverse library workforce.

 

Goal Area: Transforming Libraries

 

Goal Statement:  ALA provides leadership in the transformation of libraries and library services in a dynamic and increasingly global digital information environment.

 

Strategic Objectives:

 

1.​ Increase opportunities to share innovative practices and concepts across the profession, nationally and internationally, and among all libraries.

 

2. Increase recognition of and support for experimentation with innovative and transformational ideas.

 

3. Help libraries make use of new and emerging technologies by promoting and supporting technological experimentation and innovation.

 

4. Increase leadership development and training opportunities designed to support the ongoing transformation of libraries.

 

Goal Area:  Member Engagement

 

Goal Statement:  ALA provides an environment in which all members, regardless of location or position, have the opportunity to participate in, contribute to, and benefit from engagement in their association.

 

Strategic Objectives:

 

1. Increase member and staff innovation and experimentation in the creation of new opportunities for face to face and virtual engagement.

 

2. Increase member engagement by identifying and eliminating barriers to participation and through technological innovation.

 

3. Develop new models to recognize member contributions in a changing association.

 

4. Continue to enhance a web presence that engages members and the public.

 

Goal Area:  Organizational Excellence

 

Goal Statement:  ALA operates effectively, efficiently, creatively and in a socially responsible fashion to accomplish its mission.

 

Strategic Objectives:

 

1. Develop and sustain the resources required to ensure the vitality of the association, its programs and services.

 

2. Enhance the association’s organizational structure to meet the changing needs of members, libraries and the users they serve.

 

3. Assess and continuously improve products and services to better serve current members and to attract new members.

 

4. Strengthen support for and collaboration with Chapters and Affiliates.

 

(See “Policy Reference File”: ALA Strategic Plan 2011-2015, ALA CD#32.6)

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

Item #2.  Based on ALA CD#35, Clarification within Job Listings as to the Presence or Absence of Domestic Partner Benefits (Midwinter Meeting, 2011) submitted by ALA Councilors Peter Hepburn and Larry Romans and adopted as amended by the ALA Council,

 

PMC Moves the following change in the ALA Policy Manual:

 

Change Policy 54.20 from this text:

 

54.20 Comprehensive Health Care: ALA recognizes the importance of comprehensive health care for all Americans and its impact on libraries and their users. Adopted 2005.

 

To this text:

 

54.20. Comprehensive Health Care: ALA recognizes the importance of comprehensive health care for all Americans and its impact on libraries.

 

ALA encourages that that potential employers specify explicitly in their job announces in ALA publications or website whether or not they provide domestic partner benefits by means of appending one of the following two phrases; ’Domestic-partner benefits are not offered by this institution’ or ‘Domestic-partner benefits are offered by this institution.’

 

ALA urges other publishers and providers to encourage potential employers to specify explicitly in their job announcements whether or not they provide domestic partner benefits by means of appending one of the following two phrases: ‘Domestic-partner benefits are not offered by this institution’ or ‘Domestic-partner benefits are offered by this institution’. Adopted 2005, Amended 2010. (See “Policy Reference File”: Clarification within Job Listings as to the Presence or Absence of Domestic Partner Benefits, ALA CD#35)

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

Report from Constitution and Bylaws

 

RESOLVED, that ALA Bylaws, Article III, Section 5 be replaced in its entirety by the following:

 

Article III, Section 5.

 

For each office the candidate receiving the largest number of votes shall be elected and shall be so reported to the Association by the Committee on Election.  In the case of a tie vote the successful candidate shall be determined by lot conducted by the Committee on Election.

 

In the event that a candidate for election as a Councilor-at-large withdraws from or is unable to continue his or her candidacy in the period between the distribution of ballots and the reporting of election results, the votes for that candidate shall be ignored.

Votes at Virtual Membership Meetings.

 

The Committee was asked to consider the inclusion of an allowance for votes at virtual membership meetings since the move to such meetings has already begun.  The committee recommends the addition of a sentence to an existing section of the Bylaws covering membership meetings.

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

Action Item #2

RESOLVED, that ALA Bylaws, Article II, Section 4 be revised so as to include to read as follows (the underlined sentence is the addition):

Bylaw, Article II, Section 4.  Membership Meetings.

A membership meeting consists of the voting members of the Association with authority to act as set out in Article VI, Section 4(a) and 4(c) of the Constitution.  A membership meeting shall be held during the annual conference and at such other times as may be set by the Executive Board, Council or by membership petition as provided for in Article II, Section 2, of the Bylaws.  Membership meetings may be held virtually, and the Executive Board shall establish the procedures for such meetings.

I voted for this and it passed.

 

Report from Committee on Organization

 

Revision of the ALA-Children’s Book Council Joint Committee charge:

The Joint American Library Association-Children’s Book Council Committee request Council’s approval for a revision of its charge.  The current charge is:

“To explore mutual problems concerning content, format, distribution, and promotion of juvenile books and to propose cooperative action to resolve such problems.”

The recommended revised charge is:

“To foster communication and collaborate on mutual opportunities, concerns, and issues regarding the content, format, distribution, and promotion of materials for children and young adults, including, but not limited to, the creation and dissemination of appropriate resources, as they relate to both the library and publishing communities.”

The approach and tone of the revision are more positive than that of the existing charge.

 

ACTION #1: Resolved, that the charge of the Joint American Library Association-Children’s Book Council Committee be revised to:  “To foster communication and collaborate on mutual opportunities, concerns, and issues regarding the content, format, distribution, and promotion of materials for children and young adults, including, but not limited to, the creation and dissemination of appropriate resources, as they relate to both the library and publishing communities.”

I voted for this and it passed.

Approval of the new Games and Gaming Round Table:   The Games and Gaming in Libraries membership initiative group (MIG) was created in 2008.  COO has received a request, supported by more than the required number of ALA members’ signatures on a petition, to create a new round table, the Games and Gaming Round Table.  It will replace the Games and Gaming in Libraries MIG.  The petition is accompanied by a set of bylaws for the round table.  These actions fulfill the requirements of Article VII, section 1.a. of the ALA Bylaws:

The Council may authorize the organization as a round table of any group of not less than 100 members of the Association who are interested in the same field of librarianship not within the scope of any division, upon petition of such group which shall include a statement of purpose.

The purpose of the proposed Games and Gaming Round Table is:

To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and concerns surrounding games in libraries

To provide resources to the library community to support the building and maintaining of library game collections

To provide a force for initiating and supporting game programming in libraries

To create an awareness of, and need for, the support of the value of gaming and play in libraries, schools, and related learning communities

To create an awareness of the value of games and gaming in library outreach and community engagement plans

To provide a professional and social forum for networking among librarians and non-librarians interested in games and gaming

 

ACTION #2: Resolved, that Council approve creation of the Games and Gaming Round Table.

I voted for this and it passed.

Survey results and implications for action:   In the spring of 2011 the Committee on Organization sent a survey to the chairs of all ALA and Council committees.  The survey asked the following questions:

It is your committee’s expectation

That all members meet face-to-face at Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference, requiring all appointees commit to attending both MW and AC

That most members meet face-to-face at Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference, with others being able to attend electronically/remotely (if this were affordable)

That no face-to-face meetings are routinely anticipated, and most all work is performed electronically/remotely

Other (please specify)

This committee would be able to accept membership appointments from the pool of volunteers who:

This committee would be able to accept membership appointments from the pool of volunteers who can commit to attending both Midwinter and Annual Conference meetings

Can commit to attending only one of the Midwinter or Annual Conference meetings

Cannot attend either Midwinter or Annual Conference, but can perform committee business electronically/remotely for the duration of the appointment

Other (please specify)

Any additional information you would like COO to know or evaluate with regard to committee membership?

A number of committee chairs indicated that they would put these questions on their committees’ agendas at the 2011 Annual Conference.  The survey’s results will be updated to include responses received after the response deadline.  They will also be posted as a public document in  COO’s Connect space.

Nearly half of the 27 respondents selected the second response to the first question:   “That most members meet face-to-face at Midwinter Meeting and Annual Conference, with others being able to attend electronically/remotely (if this were affordable)”

COO has several recommendations for BARC and staff.  That:

Staff investigate the feasibility of modifying the member volunteer interest form to include ways for members to indicate their willingness to serve as a member who can participate electronically/remotely

BARC and staff investigate the cost of conducting a pilot study to support x number of committees to experiment with a hybrid meeting process in which some committee members meet face to face at the Midwinter Meeting and the Annual Conference while other members simultaneously participate in those meetings electronically/remotely.  COO recommends that the pilot run for two years so that it can assess the effects, if any, of committee membership turnover at the end of the first year.  (COO does not know if any of these costs were calculated after Council approved provisions of the Electronic Participation Task Force recommendations in 2008.  If so, these estimates can be updated.)

Staff determine how much, if any, of this can be implemented for the member volunteer cycle that begins when the volunteer form goes live on August 4,2011.

Staff establish a feasibility timeline for implementation of the pilot study.

Staff and the ALA president-elect who will make committee appointments effective for year one of the pilot (either serving in 2011-12 or in 2012-2013) select committees to participate in the pilot study.

Staff devise a plan to assess the results of the pilot study and its cost implications if it is judged a success and were extended to all ALA and Council committees.

 

ACTION #3: Resolved, that Council directs the ALA executive director and BARC to implement steps ”a“ through “f” in action item #3 immediately above.

 

I voted for this and it passed.

 

Report from the Task Force on Council Effectiveness

 

The action items were postponed until Council III

 

Report from Freedom to Read Foundation

 

Report from Task Force on Equitable Access to Electronic Content

 

Resolved,

Refer the report to BARC, the Executive Board and Executive Director to develop a plan to  implement report recommendations.

Request the President and the Board to establish an ongoing group to address current and future issues of Equitable Access to Digital Content on a coordinated, association-wide basis.

 

motion to

 

refer the report to BARC for review for fiscal implications, and to the Executive Board to develop a plan to implement report recommendations. The results of BARC and executive board be reported to council by August 1, 2011.

 

I voted for the amendment and it passed

 

I voted for the amended resolution and it passed

 

Resolved that the ALA adopt the revised ALA Intern Program Guidelines proposed by the Training, Orientation and Leadership Development Committee (TOLD)

 

14858 attendees

5202 vendors

 

Adjourned.

Committee on Committees

Planning and budget assembly

Executive Director report on Actions since Mid Winter

Chapter Relations Task Force Report

This report provided some ideas on ways that Chapters and ALA can better work together.

Future Perfect Presidential Task Force – This task force looked to possible governance for the future of ALA as well as some thoughts on significant changes that are interesting to think about.

Resolution on Out of School Time Library Programs

Resolved, that the ALA

encourages our members to tell their legislators, as well as local and national organizations and associations, about the value of their library to out of school library programs and

urges Library Directors, Trustees, School Board members and supervising government bodies to ensure that libraries, of all types, dedicate the proper funding  to insure that comprehensive Out of School Library programs for all Children and teens are maintained.

I voted for this and it passed.

Adjourned.

Information session

We heard reports from the Budget Analysis and Review Committee

ALA Endowment Trustees Report

President’s Report

President-elect’s Report

Executive Director’s Report

Announcements

Registration  14,601

includes  11,273 Advance

3,388 on site

5,165 vendors

19,826 attendees

A good number given the economy.

Adjourned

ALA-APA Information session and Council

Jennifer Grady is changing jobs and moving to Nashville.  She helped start ALA-APA and has dealt with many  of the difficulties of starting a new division.

Lorelle Swader will replace Jennifer.

ALA-APA Budget report.

We approved the FY 2012 $271,988

Reports from Certified Public Library Administrator Program Certification Review

Library Support Staff Certification Program Certification

Committee on Salaries and Status of Library Workers

Adjourn.