Vote SKJ for ALA!

The challenges faced by libraries right now require change, innovative change. We need to take a quick step back to look at what we have been doing as individual libraries and as an organization, then swiftly use what we do well and innovative solutions to collectively use the energy, enthusiasm and experience of ALA's members.

We must change the perceptions and understandings of libraries by the public to reflect the power of libraries as a strategic national lever for global competiveness. The changes of the next ten years for the world and for libraries are going to be astronomical and ALA must move fast and expertly.

My platform for change is for an ALA that:

This will take all of ALA's resources, strategic planning, innovative thinking and a leader and spokesperson who understands the needs and accomplishments of all libraries--the president. My leadership at the local and state levels with all library types as well as with ALA and AASL gives me the breadth and depth of experience needed to move ALA ahead for innovative, targeted and exciting initiatives. This will take all of us, collectively.

One inspiration for my involvement in AASL and ALA and now running for ALA President was a speech Hillary Clinton gave as a First Lady. She said, ‘If you don’t participate, you’re going to leave it to those who do. And you may not like what you find.”

It’s not the ALA way to let someone else do it. It's not my way. ALA members can and will meet the challenges we face and I am eager to lead for change.

The strategies below are a beginning for development of initiatives as President-Elect. I invite YOUR input through my blog, my Facebook page, e-mail, phone calls or in person at meetings and conferences. I will interview you!

Goal: An ALA that vigorously promotes the value of libraries to the public e-mail mail, decision-makers.
There is momentum from ALA presidents’ advocacy efforts that must continue and expand. Advocacy is most effective from a grassroots level, led by a parent organization who uses our resources to position libraries as a global force for competitiveness and all part of the learning continuum of life. The formation of an Office for Advocacy was a strong move for ALA. Their expertise and resources, as well as the expertise of the ALA Public Information Office staff, can provide targeted training as well as such national initiatives as New Jersey’s and Pennsylvania's Snapshot Days and Wisconsin’s Say Cheese that recently captured media attention. The New York Library Association chapter's site for Snapshot day and more is on our NY’s Libraries are Essential website. It’s time for ALA to increase partnerships with organizations and corporations who can help position libraries as indispensible as the economy recovers. It's time for the public and decision-makers to connect the continuum of learning provided by libraries of all types. Promotion plus Marketing equals Advocates, a core of people and organizations who will support strong libraries with decision-makers.

I pledge to develop a presidential initiative for both increased promotion and marketing of the value of libraries, working with the Campaign for America's Libraries office, including a toolkit or resources that will make promotion and marketing easy for all libraries and state chapters.

Goal: An ALA that increases and retains diversity in our profession
The Spectrum Scholar initiative and other Office of Diversity initiatives must have expanded support with both resources and fundraising in order to provide education to bridge the diversity gap. ALA must provide a targeted campaign to work with undergraduate schools, career offices and even high school guidance offices with online resource and YouTube "PSA's" about the exciting career that librarianship is for minorities, and the opportunities that are available. ALA can apply for grants to provide customizable PSA’s for state chapter to enable them to compete for state funds.

I pledge to develop a presidential initiative that will study the successful recruiting practices of other organizations and develop online resources for library school educators, library directors, high school and college career counselors and the public who are looking for a second career.

Goal: An ALA that must advocate for equitable salaries and benefits for all library workers
This is a difficult time to ask for raises of any type but the APA office and their initiatives need increased support and resources to be ready to work nationally for library workers’ salaries and benefits as the economy recovers. Their current Library Support Staff Certification Program will advance the competency of libraries, meeting the needs of the public at higher levels.

I pledge to support the APA's continued work for fair and equitable salaries for library workers and their certification programs.

Goal: An ALA that is open, transparent and encourages participation
ALA Connect is such a big step for sharing information, research and strategies. It needs to become even more effective and easy to use for collaborative input. Members have more choices for communications and ALA needs to use every effective way to share critical information both quickly and widely. That is happening more and more in ALA. The online version of American Libraries with most of the print content available to all with even more features online was announced January 7th. I applaud this and look for more.

I pledge to lead ALA towards a more participative culture through the use of appropriate technologies and virtual participation.

Goal: An ALA that champions intellectual freedom, privacy and equal access to information
The members of ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom staff are personal heroes of mine. We need to add equal access to online information to the publicity garnered by Banned Books Week. The Privacy Revolution initiative and the first Privacy Week shows the dedicated activism of the Intellectual Freedom Committee. We can never rest and must continue to support those who stand up for intellectual freedom, privacy and equal access in our communities and must continue to provide resources for education about these core issues for our profession.

I pledge increased activism for any federal legislation which furthers intellectual freedom and to work vigorously and supportively with the OIF to fight censorship issues.

Goal: An ALA that provides targeted professional development and training, delivered in every possible format.
The need for quality training and professional development for all library workers grows exponentially: diversity recruitment training and resources, library assistant training and resources, webinars, regional institutes, setc. There has been more and varied training from ALA but virtual conferences, unconferences--all and more must be considered and included. I look forward to more information swabout the virtual conferences at PLA in Portland, ALA Annual in Washington and other opportunities.

I pledge to lead ALA forward for broader training opportunities through the use of technology.