I can’t afford the time and money it takes to attend the big conferences (although a free pass let me wing through the exhibits for a day in Chicago, which was great). I get a lot more value from my state organization, although I did rejoin ALA last year.

I do take your ‘change from within’ points into consideration; perhaps when I can afford to do so, I might.

What I’m saying is that ALA is a large complex organization. Its resolutions are the resolutions of ALA Council. If people are already members of ALA or have some reason they wish to join, then it makes more sense, to me, to work within the process to effect change. If you (or any other librarian or library supporter) has no reason to join ALA, then you don’t have a reason to join.

ALA is, and probably will be for a long time, the largest association of librarians in the United States. This gives the organization a voice. I personally find it more rewarding to be a part of the organization then to object to it from outside. But both roles have their benefits to ALA–it’s healthy for people to be talking about ALA, whether from inside or outside.

(Although the 2006 annual report spoke of record membership, so I’m not sure what sort of dramatic drop lead people to proclaim that the organization is having membership troubles. Unless you look at the makeup of the membership which (if I recall correctly) is close to 50% baby boomer (aka the generation currently retiring).

But, I take your post as to read “Join ALA, start a platform of shooting down political resolutions, get elected, and then do it”. Which, while appealing, seems silly since there is only so long I could stand in place and tap on the giant graphic which states the purpose, mission, and key action areas of the ALA. Why would I have to join an organization to remind them what they should be doing?

It really isn’t particularly difficult to get involved with ALA and make a real difference.

ALA is not controlled by staff, but by its own members. Councilors seldom hear from members; it’s easy enough to email them and let them know what you think.

I’ve been a member of ALA for 28 years (and I’m only 48 years old). I’ve been hearing that ALA takes too many political stands for that whole time. And some people do what they can to change that. That’s what I’d encourage anyone interested in ALA to do.

Don’t drop your membership and then be surprised that the Association doesn’t represent you. How could it? You’re not there.

Those who wanted ALA to be *more* political spent a lot of energy to find out how ALA works and how to work together to get people elected to Council. Anyone can do that. (It’s just this simple, find a good candidate or small slate and encourage everyone you know to vote for ONLY that candidate or the small slate–don’t use all the votes you have).

I did enjoy the post, by the way!

People who read, who seek out stories will have strong thoughts about stories they read, it makes sense to ME that they seek out a better suited organization that is specifically dedicated to that issue.

“Don’t you think it is possible to voice opinion and still be objective in relation to acquisitions?”

Yes. And I said as much.

“While I sincerely hope that no one in an acquisitions position would be swayed to exclude materials due to a resolution, [...]”

I’m not denying anyone an opinion; I am concerned as to how they are expressing their non-library issues through a library organization. This notion that everything can be related back to the library is faulty and dangerous.

As an aside, I find that reading blogs that hold positions or ideaologies that I don’t agree with (whether political or librarian) really helps me avoid sliding into a one sided reasoning and rationales. Even though reading through these blogs can put my teeth on edge, it gives me perspective as to what the other approach is thinking. This allows me to improve my defenses of my stances, sometimes even leading me to revise them.