We are one week into ALA’s online voting, and polls close April 24, 2008. On the ballots are changes to bylaws, as well as names for selecting our next slate of councilors, board members, and folks to serve on a variety of committees. YALSA members get a special YALSA ballot – you can see our slate of candidates for YALSA offices
Last week, my ALA membership # and a unique password were emailed to me with simple instructions. I went to https://www.alavote.org/2008/ and logged in easily.
On each ballot, candidate names had a button next to them, labeled “bio,” Clicking the button made a new window open, showing individual credentials: resume, publications, committee work, accomplishments, and often, a personal statement. Even the bylaw changes had bios that included the original language, the proposed change, and the board’s current stance on the issue. So, even if you feel you haven’t done your homework, you can become an informed voter on the spot.
I am a member of several roundtables and divisions, so I had 5 ballots to complete. It took me about 30 minutes to complete all of my ballots, and I did my voting in two chunks, because it was easy to save as I went along.
I got an email confirmation for each ballot, after submitting my votes (the email said 2007 election, incidentally!)
As I was reading candidate bios, I paid special attention to candidates who are children’s and young adult librarians and library teachers. The following list is not an endorsement and provided for informational purposes; I leave it up to all of you to consider the implications of having the interests of youth serving librarians–members of AASL, ALSC and YALSA–brought to the Big ALA table–or not.
J. Linda Williams (ALA President)
Stephen L. Matthews (councilor-at-large)
Thomas W. Brogan (councilor-at-large)
Christine McIntosh (councilor-at-large)
Toni Negro (councilor-at-large)
Dolores (Dee) Gwaltney (councilor-at-large)
Lisa Von Drasek (councilor-at-large)
Christopher G. Harris (councilor-at-large)
Linda J. Underwood (councilor-at-large)
Bonnie L. Kunzel (councilor-at-large)
Linda Friel (councilor-at-large)
Ida Williams Thompson (councilor-at-large)
Barbara K. Stripling (councilor-at-large)
Jo Ellen Misakian (councilor-at-large)
Alison Ernst (councilor-at-large)
Margaret L. Kirkpatrick (councilor-at-large)
I was sad to see fewer candidates this year for councilor-at-large. Nominating committees are putting their heads together for the next slate of candidates nearly as soon as the elections are over – maybe YOUR name will be here next year!
I am not sure what you mean by “fewer candidates” for ALA Councilor-at-Large. There are 91 candidates for 35 positions. That seems like a lot of candidates.
Perhaps you are seeing fewer candidates that are members of YALSA. That is possible. I haven’t done the research. However, I do know that there are candidates who were at one time members of YALSA who may no longer be members but are still interested and some even read this blog.
I put together a Word document with the biographical information and statements from the ALA Councilor-at-Large positions. It is 41 pages so it is a little long but is printable. Just go to http://ftfinfo.wikispaces.com/ALA+Council . Some of you may also find the spreadsheet of people who have served on Council since 1992 of interest.