But Wait, There's More...ALA Annual (Part 2)

Yes, I know it's taking me a long time to actually get these posts out there, but after days of meetings, traveling, work, more traveling, I needed a minute. Now I'm back and ready to continue my tale of life on the Council floor.

First, let me say, that I was immediately disappointed. I have been conferencing and Chairing my butt off and to walk in to find that there was no coffee, tea, bagels or muffins like there was the first day really was not how I wanted to start my morning. Was it just one time thing? We're in this room for several hours over the course of 3 days, come on!

I made do with my water bottle and leftover snack that happened to be in my bag, but I'm still holding a grudge because I'm petty like that. Anyway, back to Council business.

Expanding Capacity and Fostering Continuity within

A motion was passed to make changes to the ODLOS (Office of Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services), expanding their amount of membership, adding an additional chair and staggering terms to ensure continuity. My interaction with ODLOS is mostly my work with Spectrum and being part of the Spectrum Advisory Committee and the Spectrum Jury, but their office is connected with several divisions' diversity initiatives and with the NALCOs (or Ethnic Affiliates). This motion is passed, which I'm sure is a relief to many.

Core Competencies of Librarianship

The Committee on Education proposed a revision of ALA's Core Competencies of Librarianship. This brought a few people to the mic asking for clarity of where it states that all library professionals have ALA accredited education, which is not a requirement for some school librarians or media specialists. "It's excluding those whose education isn't ALA accredited," said one councilor. And so begins the great debate on document wording.

It was implied that this was a proposed draft and that we are "voting on it in principle," but that just gave me TAG flashbacks. Can we not keep voting on the idea of change and just make the change? It just doesn't sit well with me. Thankfully though, a motion to refer was called and the Committee will work on the revision alongside AASL on adjusting the sections regarding accreditation.

ALA Core Values Task Force

Next up, the resolution by the Core Values task force. This one was rather uneventful. The proposed action by the task force sought to extend members terms by an additional year, add 4 more members with expertise in archives, school librarianship, APA and accreditation, broadening their charge to also include updating the library bill of rights and code of ethics, which would be reported to council in June 2023. There was no debate or heated discussion, probably because nothing questionable is happening. The motion was passed unanimously. Don't worry though, I'm sure there will be much more excitement and points of order and all that when the task force gives their report next June.

Now the Drama You've All Been Waiting for...ALA Council Forum

This has been the talk of ALA Connect for weeks. To Forum or not to Forum. For those that are against it, Council Forum takes discussion away from the council floor or adds extra time to an already full schedule. For those who support forum, it's a way to navigate the complicated process of ALA governance and gain a better understanding of the resolutions and action items that we newer councilors often struggle with. In discussion, a brief history of forum was given. Apparently it was started as an informal gathering to talk about what's going to happen the next day and it soon gained popularity and the support of Council. The resolution would have these informal discussions to happen during regular council meetings. Representatives from the Social Responsibility Round Table (SRRT) and American Association of School Librarians (AASL) stated and passing the resolution takes away the casual atmosphere and due to time limitations of Council sessions, limit the amount of voices heard. It's indirect controlling what is and isn't said. Plus it's not like anyone can stop councilors from getting together to talk about action items, so it just seems like the beginning of another cycle of meet ups unofficially until someone says "hey, let's endorse this." After further back and forth, we called for a vote and it was the closest I've seen in a very long time (71 yes, 69 no, 7 abstain). The motion carried and then the meeting ended with someone saying "this takes effect immediately and tonight's forum is now cancelled." Seriously? There's no "in principle" about this? Or at least have the final one of this conference? Dang, alright. Calm down.

So that concludes Council II. I'll be back soon with my final post about Council III which I feel like I should be awarded extra points because the last thing I wanted to do was sit through one of these things on my birthday. You're welcome Kansas.