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Snark in ALA campaignApril 1, 2009Just after LJ interviewed the candidates for ALA president I received messages from each side. A Stevens supporter sent me a hot link to a Canton Rep article about how the library union in Kent Oliver's library had complained about Oliver using library staffers to work on his campaign. Fortunately for Oliver, the comments following the piece were mostly in his favor (against the union), and most librarians I asked said they couldn't care less if Oliver staffers from the library had volunteered to help him. Prior to that an Oliver supporter dropped me a note questioning Stevens claim that it was her decision, due to altruism or that it was the right thing to do, to take a leave of absence without pay from her job at the Library of Congress if she won the ALA election. The opposition supporter suggested that either lawyers or federal law required Stevens to take the leave. Again, most librarians I asked said they couldn't care less whether Stevens volunteered or was forced to take a leave if she won. Most said it was still quite a sacrifice for a post, ALA president, in which most winners couldn't accomplish much in that year-long term. Still, the exchanges made the election much more interesting than it usually is. Indeed, it's nice to see two candidates who want to win enough to actually compete for the ALA presidency. It may not be hardball, but softball can be a hot game too. Posted by John N. Berry III on April 1, 2009 | Comments (6)
April 1, 2009
In response to: Snark in ALA campaign Cella commented: Where's the "snark" in this? You do know what snark is, right? Because nothing in this little blurb sounds snarky in the least.
April 1, 2009
In response to: Snark in ALA campaign John Berry commented: We read nearly 30 definitions of the word "snark" before using it. About a third of them fit our use of the word. Besides in American English words are defined by their use.
April 1, 2009
In response to: Snark in ALA campaign Howard commented: While your use may match some definitions it does not fit the current popularization of the term and so is misleading at best. Cella's response, on the other hand, is deliciously snarky.
April 7, 2009
In response to: Snark in ALA campaign Roberta Stevens commented: To set the record straight: I decided to take a year’s leave without pay, if elected as ALA president, to have the freedom to be able to advocate as strongly as possible on all matters that affect our profession and libraries. Neither the lawyers at the Library of Congress nor federal law were the reasons for my decision. In addition, my current position as Project Manager for the National Book Festival and Outreach Projects and Partnerships Officer (fundraising) are already more than a full-time job. As a member of the ALA Executive Board, I’ve been receiving the ALA president’s reports of travel, appearances, interviews, etc. for nearly three years. It’s clear that being an effective ALA president requires a considerable amount of time. My objective in “taking the year off” was to ensure that I could give ALA my wholehearted attention and commitment.
April 7, 2009
In response to: Snark in ALA campaign Roberta Stevens commented: To set the record straight: I decided to take a year’s leave without pay, if elected as ALA president, to have the freedom to be able to advocate as strongly as possible on all matters that affect our profession and libraries. Neither the lawyers at the Library of Congress nor federal law were the reasons for my decision. In addition, my current position as Project Manager for the National Book Festival and Outreach Projects and Partnerships Officer (fundraising) are already more than a full-time job. As a member of the ALA Executive Board, I’ve been receiving the ALA president’s reports of travel, appearances, interviews, etc. for nearly three years. It’s clear that being an effective ALA president requires a considerable amount of time. My objective in “taking the year off” was to ensure that I could give ALA my wholehearted attention and commitment.
April 20, 2009
In response to: Snark in ALA campaign SLIS student commented: Is there a purpose to this ugliness? I'm a SLIS student and have taken a very dim view of the ALA watching the antics of Oliver and here seeing your blurb pop up as I clicked to read about Judith Krug from the Pew mobile divide report. None of the kind of information you are blatant about on this screen makes either want to be a part of the ALA or read further past your less than respectful nod to the passing of a colleague.
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