Comments from LIRT-L: ALA Reorganization

I believe it is very important that we carry an article about the reorganization and its implications for round tables. I also think we should make our views known. My concern is with the wording of the petition. It is my understanding that the original reorganization plan met with substantial opposition and is being rethought. The petition asks ALA to cease and desist on all plans for reorganization. This is just not reasonable. All organizations reorganize, although perhaps not as drastically as the ALA proposal. I will concede to the others that we can carry the petition in our newsletter but I cannot endorse it based on what little I know. We should react to any plans that ALA proposes that adversely affects round tables and react strongly. However, asking ALA to cease and desist all reorganization efforts is like asking Congress to cease and desist all efforts at welfare reform. It is unrealistic. What I am trying to say is that it is better to try to influence ALA into a reorganization we can all live with, rather than just saying no.

--Chuck Dintrone, Chair of LIRT's Long Range Planning Committee

From: Margaret Myers <Margaret.Myers@ala.org>
Subject: Re: ALA Reorganization
To: LIRT-L@baylor.edu

The proposed restructuring document presented at Annual Conference was never acted on by Council, and there was a lot of opposition to it. There is a new structure task force that will meet at Midwinter for the first time, I believe, that will include two round table representatives on it. It is my understanding they will take into account the various documents and discussions at Annual Conference but they are not obligated to do anything with them, but will continue to explore ways of organizing ALA to be more effective. I have not seen a charge statement for this group yet.... The round table presidents were nominating representatives, I believe, but I don't know yet if there has been a decision on who these are or the whole composition of the task force....

---Margaret Myers, ALA Staff Liaison

Date: Mon, 02 Oct 1995 13:53:47 -0500 (EST)
From: Carol Derner <cderner.lcpl@incolsa.palni.edu>
Subject: ALA Reorganization
To: LIRT-L@baylor.edu

Sarah Pritchard has been named Chair of the Structural Revision Task Force of ALA. The Task Force will include two representatives of the Round Tables. The election of those reps is being conducted by the Round Table Coordinating Committee. We were allowed one nomination per Round Table, and I have submitted my name as a candidate. The Task Force was to meet in the Fall of 1995, at Midwinter in San Antonio, in the Spring of 1996 and at the Annual Conference for the next two years. However, the Fall 1995 meeting will not be held.

---Carol Derner, LIRT President