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By Staff -- Library Journal, 2/15/2007

Grow ALA participation

In his “Democracy in ALA” (Blatant Berry, LJ 12/06, p. 10), John Berry notes that a “relatively small percentage of the total eligible members vote in [American Library Association] elections, even with the addition of email balloting, one of the few concessions to the democratizing potential of the electronic universe.” To accommodate various needs and preferences and to eliminate barriers to voting, ALA offers members the choice of a paper or electronic ballot. Yet in the 2006 election, only about 23 percent of the members voted. It is not clear what that signifies.

ALA currently has about 61,600 personal members. Their reasons for joining, their reasons for renewing membership or dropping out, and the ways they choose to participate vary. As much as many of us dyed-in-the-wool ALA members wish all members would vote, that is unlikely. A more realistic goal might be to bring it up to the 55 percent turnout rate in the most recent U.S. presidential election.

ALA best serves its members when it offers opportunities for each one to participate and contribute in meaningful ways. For some, that is committee service or elected office. For others, it is working in groups that transcend organizational borders. Approximately 5000 members, all of whom serve on committees or hold an elected office, are listed in ALA’s Handbook of Organization. That means these modes of participation currently accommodate only a small fraction of the membership.

Some library workers have found ways to contribute to the profession through blogs, by forming online groups, and even by producing online conferences...outside of ALA structures. A truly inclusive, vibrant ALA—one serving all its members well—will be open to complementary approaches...whether they have been achieved through time-tested structures or grass-roots initiatives.

ALA must grow that 23 percent to 55 percent and on. ALA can do that by developing additional meaningful ways library workers can participate in and contribute to ALA. We need to experiment boldly and be open to new ways of doing business and new uses of communication technologies. If members are involved and engaged in ALA, they will be more likely to vote in its elections. This is a key part of the platform I am running on for ALA president.

If ALA takes risks and trusts in its members, it will become a more inclusive organization, providing even more benefit to the profession and our society. Berry remembers “our pride in the receptiveness of association leaders to our actions.” A new generation of ALA leaders open to and encouraging member initiatives can once again renew the organization....—Jim Rettig, Univ. Libn., Boatwright Memorial Lib., Univ. of Richmond, VA

Patron privacy

The item “Like Cabbies, Library Staff Honest with Cash” (FrontDesk, LJ 10/1/06, p. 13) provided a chuckle with the story of the patron who tucked a bank withdrawal inside a returned book but also served as a reminder of the importance of patron privacy. The title of the book made a good punchline, but linking the patron name to the book in question is a violation of patron privacy. It may be that Mr. Early approved the release of that information. If not, we should all be less casual when discussing a circulation history.—Kevin Strunk, Public Svcs. Libn., Montgomery Cty. Community Coll., Pottstown, PA

Who’ll tell the boss?

The case study “Borrowing Privileges” and its attendant solutions (How Do You Manage? LJ 10/1/06, p. 46–47) left many stones unturned. Only Executive Director Reid even begins to address the problem [of staff taking library supplies]. Reid is right. New hire Kirvan must find a new position. She simply cannot succeed under Dwyer.... [Dwyer’s performance] outside assigned job duties, unsatisfactory salary, sense of entitlement, or Kirvan’s snooping are not the important issues.

A room full of library property is the issue. This is not simple pilfering. Lancaster states in her analysis, “We all steal time and materials....” No, we don’t all do that.... Dwyer’s behavior required forethought and planning. This is not borrowing; this is theft. And theft must be addressed formally and rapidly by the library director and the Board of Trustees with assistance from the library’s attorney....

All the materials in Dwyer’s possession need to be returned and inventoried, and she must be given an opportunity to pre sent explanations for her behavior. If the theft is of [any] magnitude, management must select an appropriate disciplinary action ranging from a significant suspension to termination. The real question is how will the administration find out? Will Kirvan report what she has seen? Will she be scorned or supported? How will Kirvan explain at future interviews her brief tenure at Clark-Aston PL? Or will this be swept under the rug?—Marc D. Horowitz, Dir., North Babylon P.L., NY

We deeply apologize to Arlene Weismantel, head of main library reference at Michigan State University Libraries in East Lansing. Proofreading gremlins allowed her name to be misspelled several times in the excellent article she coauthored with Emily Barton, “Ref Logs Now” (LJ 10/1/06, p. 28–30).