Author Archives: Beth Yoke

Judy Nelson submitted written questions to Rod Hersberger. Here are his responses:
1. Please tell us a few ways in which you think division contributions are integral to the success of ALA financially.

a. Divisions pay overhead (indirect costs) on certain activities and programs.

b. Division publishing activities support ALA.
c. Division staff are also ALA staff and contribute to other ALA programs, but the division pays the salaries.

2. At times, it is hard to plan our programs and initiatives, as we are dependant on information from other departments within ALA. How would you help facilitate reporting and communication between departments such as PIO or Publishing and the divisions they work with?

a. The first approach, naturally, is for your Executive Director to try to obtain more timely information. If these kinds of issues cannot be handled within the ALA organizational structure, there may be serious, underlying problems that need to be escalated up the chain of command.
b. For financial difficulties, you can ask your BARC liaison and the ALA accounting staff for assistance.
c. As Treasurer, I would want to be sure other avenues have been exhausted before trying to intervene. I would take only the most serious of problems to the ALA Executive Director.

3. What are some ways that ALA can reach outside of the library community to bring new revenues and initiatives to our organization and to divisions?

a. I would look for partnerships with vendors of youth life style products such as sports gear and apparel, skate boarding apparel and so forth.

b. Also, I think all the various makers of video games have a responsibility to youth to promote literacy, reading and learning, since their products compete with reading.

Don’t forget to vote! Polls open March 15th. For more information go to the ALA 2007 Election page.
-Beth Yoke

Judy Nelson submitted written questions to the candidate for ALA Treasurer, Jo Ann Pinder. The questions and her responses are provided below.

1.Please tell us a few ways in which you think division contributions are integral to the success of ALA financially.
Many members only join ALA so that they can join a division.
Divisional national conferences provide revenue to ALA in the form of new members and overhead from profits.
The work of the Divisions is more closely related to the practicing librarian. This practical information shows in a very tangible way why ALA membership is beneficial.
I have been active in 3 ALA Divisions, serving as president and councilor of one. I understand the needs of the divisions and their importance to the success of ALA. As ALA Treasurer, I will bring this experience and perspective to the office. The strength of ‘big ALA’ comes from its Divisions.

2. At times, it is hard to plan our programs and initiatives as we are dependant on information from other departments within ALA. How would you help facilitate reporting and communication between departments such as PIO or Publishing and the divisions they work with?

This is a staff issue and one out of the direct purview of the elected officers. But, as a member of the Executive Board I would make issues of this nature known to the Executive Director and facilitate the communication needed to solve the problem.
3. What are some ways that ALA can reach outside of the library community to bring new revenues and initiatives to our organization and to divisions?
Good question. Looking for ways to increase revenue makes the accomplishment of our mission easier. The fundraising of ALA has greatly increased since I became active in the association. But these funds are not always what the Divisions need or want. More focus needs to be placed on division needs for the dollars gained. In order to do this, the divisions need more of a say in ‘big ALA’ work. Before we spend the time and energy on outside sources, we need to examine how we can make better use of our existing revenue. There are some ways that we can make better use of our dollars. (While every political candidate talks about ‘cutting the fat’, as an active member of ALA, I have seen first hand areas where we can be more cost-effective.)
That said — looking to natural partners and grant sources in a systemic way in coordination with all of ALA interests in mind, should be done.

Don’t for get to vote! Polls open March 15th. For more information visit ALA’s 2007 Election page.

-Beth Yoke

At the 2007 Midwinter Meeting candidate for ALA President-Elect, Nancy Davenport, visited YALSA’s Board of Directors. Here is a summary of what she had to say:

For her presidency she would encourage members to think about library as place. In Nancy’s opinion, libraries should be everywhere—even in people’s kitchens. Libraries should extend themselves and collaborate and create connections (create connections is her theme). She feels ALA really needs to find librarians to work with young people because there’s a shortage. According to Nancy, ALA hasn’t done recruitment fairs—she thinks ALA should do them as a part of national conferences. She mentioned she went to YALSA’s Gaming Night at the Midwinter Meeting, and feels it’s important to listen to youth and find out what they want from libraries. She talked about DC Public libraries and working with them to increase programming for teens—she worked to get money from the mayor to stay open later and do teen programming.

The Board asked Nancy three questions. Here is how she responded. Please note, these responses are paraphrased here. They are not exact quotes.

What do you feel the divisions’ relationship is with ALA?
Nancy felt that the divisions are getting richer and the association was getting poorer.

How would you ensure that the youth divisions would be equitably represented on ALA committees? There are 3 different youth divisions, but ALA often treats them as one entity.

Nancy said that each division brings a different perspective and that each voice should be represented at the table. She would do it by “inviting you to the table.”

Can you tell us about a time when your supported library service to teens?
She said that she has worked to help the school librarians as a parent. As interim director of library services at DC Public, she created a safe place for teens. She has hired teens to work in libraries as a means of luring other teens to the library.

The ALA/YALSA Election begins March 15th. Don’t forget to vote! Go to the 2007 Election page to learn more.
-Beth Yoke

At the 2007 Midwinter Meeting candidate for ALA President-Elect, Jim Rettig, visited YALSA’s Board of Directors. Here is a summary of what he had to say:
Jim opened by saying that he admired what YA librarians do and talked about the importance of keeping teens engaged. He mentioned the importance of legislative advocacy and ALA’s role in that. He felt that ALA does a great job of defending intellectual freedom issues. In Jim’s opinion ALA has a couple of long term challenges: 1) lack of diversity in the profession and the high attrition rate for librarians under 35. ALA needs to engage the youth and minorities by finding new ways of participation for members. Committees shouldn’t be the only method for participation. Wants to collaborate with state and other library groups on the diversity issue. 2) ALA-APA: Jim wants a fiscally sound ALA-APA so it is able to better advocate for salaries and expand its certification program.

The Board asked Jim three questions. Here is how he responded. Please note, these responses are paraphrased here. They are not exact quotes.
Can you please elaborate on a statement you made in a meeting one of our Board members attended where you said that divisions are a drain on ALA?
Jim responded by saying that he never made such a comment. Jim mentioned that the terms of the Operating Agreement weren’t being followed. He said some divisions have become wealthy, but at the same time that ALA has not. According to Jim, divisions are the “profit-center” of ALA.

How would you ensure that the youth divisions would be equitably represented on ALA committees? There are 3 different youth divisions, but ALA often treats them as one entity.
Jim responded by saying he would rely heavily on the division vice-presidents to put forward good names for committee appointments.

Can you tell us about a time when your supported library service to teens?
Jim said that he sent a letter to the editor of his local paper on the filtering issue when CIPA was being challenged. He said teenagers needed a way to get sensitive information and that it is important not to put barriers in their way to accessing information.

The ALA/YALSA election polls open March 15th. Don’t forget to vote! Go to the 2007 Election page for more information.
-Beth Yoke