Tuesday, January 31, 2012

American Library Association Midwinter Meeting Update

The American Library Association Midwinter Meeting was held January 21-24, 2012 in Dallas, TX. The Midwinter Meeting primarily focuses on business meetings of the organization, discussion groups, author forums, and of course, the Exhibitors.
Over 6236 individuals and 3693 exhibitors were registered for Midwinter on January 24, for a total of 9929 total participants. This number reflects a decline in attendance as compared to 2011 and 2010 Midwinter meetings in San Diego and Boston, respectively.
ALA Council passed the following resolutions:
Resolution on Publishers and Practices Which Discriminate            Against Library Users
Resolution opposing restriction of access to materials and Open Inquiry in Arizona Ethnic and Cultural Studies Programs
Resolution Opposing the Research Works Act 
Resolution Opposing the Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011 (PIPA) and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)
Resolution on the Loss of Crucial Government Information
Three Council members were elected to the ALA Executive Board: Robert Banks, John Mooreman and Alexia Hudson. Some of you may remember Robert Banks as a past president of MPLA.
Barbara Stripling, long time ALA Council member, former director of School Library Services in New York, Stripling is now assistant professor of practice at Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y. Gina J. Millsap, active ALA member, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in Topeka, Kansas. Elections open soon for the 2013-2014 President –Elect and Councilors at Large. Election results will be announced following the May 4 meeting of the Election Committee.
Upon recommendation of the Chapter Relations Committee, each state chapter will be required to submit an annual report on state association activities. A survey will be sent in February to Chapter Councilors. Chapters are asked to submit reports for the organization’s fiscal year. Reports will help to assess the vitality of organizations, notable achievements, and challenges ahead. Ultimately, these will help Chapters and ALA work together to achieve excellence.
Watch for the new ALA Chapter Councilor Blog, coming soon to a SDLA web page near you. I hope to have one created soon to provide timely ALA news and information about library issues.
Respectfully submitted,
Vickie Mix, ALA Councilor