Tim Grimes | Diana Donner Shonrock | John S. Spencer | Debra L. Gilchrist

Three LIRT members are running for ALA Council this spring. We are pleased to know that LIRT members are actively pursuing these offices and we encourage all LIRT members to remember to vote for these committed LIRT members. It is important to have LIRT members on Council for three reasons:

1. All of these librarians have been active in LIRT. Their continuing contributions to LIRT testify to their ability to serve well on the ALA Council.

2. There is no delegate on ALA Council from the ALA round tables. ALA is planning some organizational changes over the next few years, changes which might have a profound impact on LIRT and other round tables. Having LIRT members on the Council will ensure that the interests of the round tables will be heard.

3. As the proliferation of electronic resources and remote library use become more widespread, in all types of libraries, it is also important that there be representation of the interests of instructional librarians. Predictions are that librarians will be shifting their focuses from access to service; library instruction is one of the most important services to help users with the vast array of information sources available to them.

The three members of LIRT running for ALA Council are Tim Grimes, Diana Shonrock, and John Spencer. When you receive your ballot, we hope you will take the time to identify librarians with strong instructional backgrounds, or other Round Table backgrounds, read their statements of concern, and vote.

TIM GRIMES

"Change is constant in today's libraries. Whether one works in a public, school, academic, or special library setting, the world of information resources is dramatically changing. We are inundated by new technology, cyberspace resources, management techniques and user expectations. It can sometimes be daunting and overwhelming. ALA Council has a duty to lead us in this valued profession. New changes mean new policies, new outlooks, and new manners of thought. With a progressive Council, our profession will take a proactive approach to our environment, rather than reacting as old environments and patterns of work are replaced or remodeled by change. Change is a constant; it is imperative that we be ready to actively manage it."

DIANA DONNER SHONROCK

"Although ALA is a large and complex organization, it must adapt to its changing and increasingly technological environments and serve as the "human touch." I would like to be able to add my voice to that more human touch for ALA. My concerns include:

• the challenge to libraries to humanize the digital world;
• that libraries consider paramount their educational role;
• helping libraries adjust their traditional roles to the digital world;
• assuring that libraries forge coalitions with other information providers such as government and commercial providers to provide the best service;
• that libraries become active and play leadership roles for their profession in the community at large; and
• that organizational changes in ALA will recognize the important role of round tables and increase the opportunities for their members to participate fully in ALA.

Libraries have a tremendous opportunity to influence and direct the public opinion, but they must make their message clear and central to their communities."

JOHN S. SPENCER

"My goal is to help ALA set standards and policies that move the organization forward into the 21st century, as well as to ensure that the voices of all librarians are represented in the structure of the organization. If elected, I have several primary concerns, including:

1. that ALA be structured in a way that allows for better representation of all ALA divisions and round tables.
2. that ALA set standards and policies which encourage more participation and better communication among all librarians involved in ALA.
3. that ALA develop programs and services that reflect the needs of librarians in its divisions and round tables, whether public, academic, school, or special librarians.
4. that ALA focus on developing a vision for librarians and libraries of the future which emphasizes the importance of information literacy in lifelong learning."

DEBRA L. GILCHRIST

"At a time of critical reorganization and self-study, ALA must mobilize through the strength of consensus to be responsive to the diverse and dynamic membership that is our underlying strength. Council shapes these diverse beliefs into a common vision. Our goal must be to convey our profession's best ideas, convictions and actions in a clear and influential manner. ALA's vitality and growth will be ensured by successfully integrating creative new ideas with proven traditions.

My priorities are to:

1. increase our voice in national information policy debates, ensuring information flow and information literacy as inherent rights;
2. develop recruitment and mentoring programs that support diversity and attract strong professionals;
3. facilitate communication with membership, ensuring all voices contribute to policy formation;
4. develop an openly accessible ALA organizational structure;
5. strongly champion the publicUs right to know.

I will work to ensure ALA serves as a catalyst in providing strong directed leadership in these areas."