American Library Association
Annual Conference, 2005
Maine Library Association
Chapter Councilor Report

Workplace Speech

Various resolutions about workplace speech have been discussed in the past several years at ALA Council meetings.  Proponents of a resolution have asserted that library employers should practice their principles in management as well as with the public; other supporters have said it was simply good management to involve employees in workplace discussions. Opponents were primarily concerned about the Association's creating a perception that rebellious, disruptive employees should be protected or encouraged.  Consensus was finally reached as follows:

VOTED, To adopt ALA CD#38.1, Resolution on Workplace Speech, as amended to read: "Libraries should encourage discussion among library workers, including library administrators, of non-confidential, professional and policy matters about the operation of the library and matters of public concern within the framework of applicable laws."

National Deaf History Month

VOTED, To adopt ALA CD#52, Resolution on National Deaf History Month, which read:  "That the American Library Association urges the President of the United States to declare National Deaf History Month, to be held annually March 13-April 15 and to call upon public officials, educators, and librarians to celebrate with programs and activities to highlight and honor the many contributions of the deaf community to American society."

New Edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual

Every few years, the Intellectual Freedom Committee engages in a comprehensive review of all the Association's policies, best practice documents, and guidelines in this area.  Revisions are submitted to Council; upon approval, they are added to the ALA Policy Manual and are also slated for the next edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual.  At ALA Annual 2005, Council approved adding the policy on RFID:

53.10    Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology and Privacy Principles

All businesses, organizations, libraries, educational institutions, and non-profits that buy, sell, loan, or otherwise make available books and other content to the public utilizing RFID technologies shall:

1.         Implement and enforce an up-to-date organizational privacy policy that gives notice and full disclosure as to the use, terms of use, and any change in the terms of use for data collected via new technologies and processes, including RFID.

2.         Ensure that no personal information is recorded on RFID tags which, however, may contain a variety of transactional data.

3.         Protect data by reasonable security safeguards against interpretation by an unauthorized third party.

4.         Comply with relevant federal, state, and local laws as well as industry best practices and policies.

5.         Ensure that the four principles outlined above must be verifiable by an independent audit.

Council also approved placement of revisions to:  Policy 53.1.3, Access to Resources and Services in the School Library Media Program; 53.1.7, Labels and Rating Systems; and 53.1.19, Access to Electronic Information, Services, and Networks.

Policy on Inclusiveness and Mutual Respect  

An outcome of COPE III (Congress on Professional Education), which was held in 2003, was the recommendation that ALA develop a statement regarding respect for all library workers and a policy to ensure that all library workers are included in ALA initiatives, communications and programs. Therefore, Council:

VOTED, To adopt CD#49, ALA Policy on Inclusiveness and Mutual Respect, which read: "That the American Library Association values, respects, and welcomes the contributions and participation of all library workers.  ALA actively promotes inclusiveness within the Association and communicates images and information about all types of library careers.  ALA provides services and developmental opportunities for all library workers.

The American Library Association affirms the importance of inclusiveness and mutual respect as essential for employee productivity, morale, and learning. Libraries that have developed respectful organizational cultures with inclusive language and developmental opportunities for all library workers should be recognized as models for others."

Strategic Plan

ALA has been using focus groups, facilitated planning sessions, surveys and other methods to gather input  toward the creation of a strategic plan; the final product's goal statements are:

• ALA and its members are the leading advocates for libraries and the library profession.

• Through its leadership, ALA ensures the highest quality graduate and continuing education opportunities for librarians and library staff.

• ALA plays a key role in the formulation of national and international policies and standards that affect library and information services.

• ALA is a leader in recruiting and developing a highly qualified and diverse library work force.

• Members receive outstanding value for their ALA membership.

• ALA is an inclusive, effectively governed, well-managed, and financially strong organization.

Catholic Library Association

The Bylaws Committee reviewed the application of the Catholic Library Association, which had applied for affiliate status with ALA.  The chair reported that the bylaws of CLA state that it is among its goals to promulgate religion, which is not consistent with the ALA 's mission. Proponents of approving the CLA's application said that ALA should be inclusive and tolerant of other voices; others felt that it was appropriate to reject it.  The item was referred back to the Bylaws Committee, which will report back to Council on the matter.

Patriot Act

The following resolution on USAPA was approved:

VOTED, To adopt CD#20.6, Resolution on the USA Patriot Act and Libraries, as amended to read: ""That the American Library Association urges the Senate, in the FY 2006 Senate Commerce-Justice-State appropriations bill, to bar the use of appropriated funds by the Justice Department to search library and bookstore records under Section 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act; that the American Library Association urges Congress to pass legislation that restores the privacy rights of library users; that the American Library Association opposes any  initiatives on the part of the United States government to constrain the free expression of ideas or to inhibit the use of libraries as represented in the USA PATRIOT Act expansion bill marked-up in secret by the Senate Select Intelligence Committee; and that the American Library Association urges librarians and other library workers, trustees and advocates throughout the country to continue their efforts to educate their users on the impact of Sections 215 and 505 of the USA PATRIOT Act on libraries.

Community Broadband

There has been a big struggle going on in many communities wanting to establish municipal broadband service to residents.  Phone and cable companies have mounted powerful resistance to these projects; laws have been proposed both to protect and to ban the ability of government to provide broadband to citizens.  Municipalities wanting to go ahead have said that it is an important access issue; companies opposing these efforts assert that government shouldn't compete with business.  ALA Council decided to support efforts to protect the right of municipalities to provide broadband for residents:

VOTED, To adopt ALA CD#20.7, Resolution on the Right of Communities to Provide Broadband Internet Services, which read: "That the American Library Association supports legislation, including S.1294, that protects the rights of municipal governments to provide broadband wireless networks to their communities; that the American Library Association opposes H.R. 2726 because it denies municipal governments the right to locally determine broadband deployment thus making broadband wireless development the exclusive purview of corporate entities; that the American Library Association encourages its state chapters, affiliates and others in the library community to monitor and participate in debates on state legislation or policy proposals in order to ensure that local governments are not prohibited from providing broadband wireless networks to their residents, businesses and educational institutions; and that the American Library Association continues to work with allies and coalitions, such as the National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties to preserve local governments' rights to determine how broadband wireless deployment is to be instituted within their communities and institutions."

Threats to Library Materials Related to Sex, Gender Identity, or Sexual Orientation

VOTED, To adopt ALA CD#57 Revised, Resolution on Threats to Library Materials Related to Sex, Gender Identity, or Sexual Orientation, as amended to read: "That the American Library Association affirms the inclusion in library collections of materials that reflect the diversity of our society, including those related to sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation; that the American Library Association encourages all American Library Association chapters to take active stands against all legislative or other government attempts to proscribe materials related to sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation; and that the American Library Association encourages all libraries to acquire and make available materials representative of all the people of our society."

Membership Meeting Resolutions

The recent establishment of lower meeting quorums for membership meetings resulted in the introduction and passage of several member resolutions.  Two of these were surprisingly contentious: One, asserting that ALA units should work toward improved access of non-Roman language materials; the second, a resolution asking divisions to consider decreased dues for retired members. The strongest opposition seemed to come from some unit representatives who said that these issues were theirs to deal with as they saw fit, and that ALA Council should not dictate to the units.  The non-Roman cataloging resolution did not pass, at least in part perhaps because it was not written as clearly as it might have been; the resolution on division dues, which was finally revised to become a recommendation, was ultimately adopted.

The third resolution was one on Iraq , which was revised on the floor of Council and ultimately approved.  The most obvious arguments pro and con involved whether or not this was a library issue that ALA should take action on.  On the other hand, several councilors spoke about ways in which ALA had taken important and ethical actions during the civil rights and Vietnam War eras.  After a great deal of discussion, a revised resolution was approved.

VOTED, To adopt ALA CD#61 (MD#4), Resolution to Decrease Division Dues for Retired Members, as amended to read:  "That the ALA urges its divisions to investigate the establishment of lower membership dues for retired members but with all the rights and benefits of division membership--voting, publications, committee work, etc."

VOTED, To adopt ALA CD#62 (MD#7), Resolution on the Connection Between the Iraq War and Libraries, as amended to read: "That the American Library Association calls for the withdrawal from Iraq of all U.S. military forces, and the return of full sovereignty to the people of Iraq; that the American Library Association urges the United States government to subsequently shift its budgetary priorities from the occupation of Iraq to improved support for vital domestic programs, including United States libraries; that the American Library Association calls upon the United States government to provide material assistance through the United Nations for the reconstruction of Iraq, including its museums, libraries, schools, and other cultural resources; and that this resolution be sent to all members of Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, the President of the United States, and the press.

Other Resolutions

VOTED, The adoption of ALA CD#64, Resolution on Disinformation, Media Manipulation and the Destruction of Public Information, which read:  "That the American Library Association goes on record as being opposed to the use by government of disinformation, media manipulation, the destruction and excision of public information, and other such tactics; that the ALA encourages its members to teach and nurture 21st Century information literacy skills among the American Public to help them detect disinformation, media manipulation, and missing information; and that ALA encourages libraries to actively seek and acquire alternative information resources that provide a broad context for public understanding and evaluation of news and opinion; that this resolution be shared broadly with members of ALA, the press, the public and government officials."

VOTED, To adopt ALA CD#65, Resolution in Support of Immigrants' Rights to Free Public Library Access, as amended to read: "That the American Library Association affirms the right of individuals, regardless of their legal status, to library services; and that the American Library Association work with affiliates to inform and educate public libraries and member constituents on ways a patron can demonstrate library eligibility and continue to protect patron privacy by encouraging the use of free public library services for all immigrant populations."

Public Awareness

The Campaign for America 's Libraries has been approved for another five years.  The Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC) plans to launch its @ your library campaign in 2006; information about that campaign will be available at Midwinter 2006.  Other initiatives include PLA's ongoing "Smartest Card. Get It. Use It. @ your library" and "Be Well Informed @ your library" seminars on how libraries can develop and promote health collections and resources. The Public Information Office (PIO) and Office for Literacy and Outreach Services have been awarded a $10,000 ALA-World Book Goal Award to support rural, native, and tribal school and public libraries.  PSAs and other materials continue to be developed and widely distributed. Advocacy training is ongoing as well.

Some Notes on ALA Finances

ALA has been making less and less on conferences and meetings, because costs associated with these activities have risen much faster and higher than the money that has been brought in.  

The Association is exploring possible growth opportunities, including the potential development of untapped markets like parents, teachers and students; production of audio books, webcast conference content, and bilingual products; digital and print options for American Libraries; book lists; and development of the online career center.

ALA Allied Professional Association (APA) Council  

The ALA-APA Certification Program Committee has been working to develop the structure needed to offer post-Master's certification programs.  Proposed action item #1 read as follows:

All ALA-APA certification programs will be guided by the following principles:

• Access will be equitable and nondiscriminatory.

• ALA member-generated needs will guide program development.

• ALA Divisions will initiate certification programs.

• An open-provider model will be followed, with use of multiple providers.

• A rich variety of venues will be used for content delivery.

• ALA-APA will not be involved in revocation of certification for violation of professional ethics.

Considerable discussion ensued over the last principle listed.  Proponents of it asserted that it was not an appropriate activity for ALA-APA to be involved in revocation activities that might end up being legal issues. Opponents said that it was premature to assert this principle, given that no discussion had taken place among the membership on the matter and considering the fact that some other professional certification organizations do revoke certification on ethical grounds that are not necessarily legal.  It was also pointed out that other reasons for potential revocation of certification had not been discussed, so it was premature to exclude only one.  A motion was made to remove the principle; the amendment was approved, and the action item passed without the final clause.  

Respectfully submitted,

Melora Ranney Norman