Comments on: Four Out of Five Librarians Do Not Rock the Vote, Cont. http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/ the neverending reference interview of life Fri, 24 May 2013 07:03:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Andy http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4744 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 04:25:52 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4744 I would go a step further and suggest a word limit on it. But excellent idea.

]]> By: Steve Casburn http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4743 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 04:20:58 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4743 I just sent an e-mail to the Nominating Committee for the 2012 ALA Election making this suggestion. Hoping for the best!

]]> By: Steve Casburn http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4742 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 03:43:01 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4742 The question I would most like to see ALA Council candidates answer on next year’s ballot is: “What do you hope to accomplish as an ALA Councilor?”

The answer to that question could accomplish two things: inform voters of what you plan to do; and, allow them to use their knowledge of how ALA Council works to decide whether that plan is realistic.

]]> By: Tiffany http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4738 Tue, 31 May 2011 18:00:30 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4738 “in order to understand the input patrons must put into their research”

Should have read, in order to understand the work that needs to go into research and to tailor reference and instruction sessions accordingly.

]]> By: Tiffany http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4737 Tue, 31 May 2011 17:58:54 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4737 I feel that, at least in my experience writing was given short shrift. In some classes I was expected to complete in-depth research papers (and turn in my proposal and list of references before I began). For other courses, writing was deemed non-essential, we did not even discuss current issues, just learned how to search databases. Especially now, with budget issues, I see that many aren’t able to communicate clearly and effectively through writing. This effects everything from budget expenses justification, grant writing, to understanding research methodology (in the case of academic libraries) in order to understand the input patrons must put into their research.

]]> By: Kate http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4736 Tue, 31 May 2011 17:29:21 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4736 I prefer straight up, just like the Paula Abdul song.

The best thing I ever did in library school was take a Professional Writing course. It took me out of Jargon Hell and made me a much better writer. Some of these candidates should really do the same.

]]> By: Kate http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4735 Tue, 31 May 2011 17:27:41 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4735 Sample ballots – YES.

And I like the idea of having additional “official” forums for sharing knowledge about your skills, etc. I was getting at this idea in one of the ALA Think Tank Facebook groups. NMRT had a great thing going with the Online Candidates Forum, other groups should follow suit. For Council, this could take the form of “Candidate Spotlight” on AL Direct.

]]> By: PnkRckLibrarian http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4706 Thu, 26 May 2011 00:08:02 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4706 This.

Maybe I’ve been reading too much Hemingway as of late, but I prefer straight to the point with an economy of words rather then jargony, acronymy, OMG I’ll pretend this is a GRE test prep that we were given for their write-ups.

Also, your suggestion above for the ballot sample makes perfect sense, is simple and to the point. In addition, the a one sentence explanation of their priorities along with their list would be EXTREMELY helpful. If you can’t explain in one sentence, then perhaps you don’t really understand what you’re doing…

]]> By: Andy http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4705 Wed, 25 May 2011 23:22:09 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4705 Even though I am not an ALA member and therefor not a voter, I was dismayed by the ALA Presidential platform writeups. I left with a feeling of “what does that even *mean*?” It really didn’t define what the candidates would do or how they were different from each other. The same went for some of the candidate statements, including from people I know. What gives? If I was to run and use their statements, I’d just shorten it to “YAY LIBRARIES”.

]]> By: Andy http://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4704 Wed, 25 May 2011 23:17:04 +0000 https://agnosticmaybe.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/four-out-of-five-librarians-do-not-rock-the-vote-cont/#comment-4704 My position would be that they leave the fields open to their own peril. If they want to attract voters, they should define their issues.

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