I know large organizations move slowly, but…
…no matter how slowly you move, if you’re not moving the right direction, you’ll never get there
…some situations require quick reaction – maybe the ALA needs a “ninja” division that is agile enough to respond appropriately when necessary

And really, if it becomes necessary, it would be nice if the ALA could organize a boycott of publishers/vendors with business practices that are detrimental to libraries and patrons – and also suggest alternate sources for these materials so libraries can still satisfy patron demand.

I know all my comments are sounding negative, but I really am trying to proactively think of ways the ALA can help patrons in my library.

Second to last paragraph should have read:
I do THINK…..

Not enough coffee yet.

I also want to echo what Peter said about connections, and go somewhat further.

One of the absolutely great things about ALA (and ALA Council) is the opportunity to meet and work with folks whose path you would not ordinarily cross. Now, Gina and I met back when I was a Chapter Councilor and public librarian. I share her chapter concerns. But my friend Janet Swan Hill and I like to tell about the fact that we met *only* through ALA Council. Where else would an academic cataloger (Janet) have the chance to work professionally with a public library director ex-reference librarian (me)? We have formed a great friendship and bond — including our overlapping terms on the ALA Executive Board which is a whole different experience.

I was an inactive member of ALA for many years before figuring out how to become active. I just renewed and was amazed at how long it has now been.

I disagree to a certain extent with the posters above regarding CIPA…ALA went to the mat against CIPA – as far as they COULD go. The fact that the legal case did not go in our favor eventually was not ALA’s fault (though it should have if the Supreme Court was doing its job and ruled on the least restrictive avenue) .

I do not think ALA’s presentations were “hysterical”- they were characterized that way because the arguments were passionate. Even if they were dispassionate, Ashcroft would have said they were hysterical because of the stereotype that we are largely an organization of women….no matter how ALA’s case was presented, it would have lost. I found the whole process to be completely sexist to be honest. We should not have to lose our humanity and our passion to not be listened to.

Strategically, I don’t think it would have made one bit of difference if we got up there and argued as if we were zombies. Their minds were made up long before it got to the Supreme Court. The political climate was starting to shift even back then. Never once did I feel that ALA was supporting filtering. The CIPA case caused me to lose my faith in our entire political and justice system.

My big concern about the CIPA battle was that once that was over ALA did not have enough money to fight the even more insidious Patriot Act.

On a personal level, I do like to attend the ALA conferences when I can to get the pulse on national issues. We so often get wrapped up in our local ones. Of course, on a personal level, I love to hear nationally known authors speak. We can rarely afford to go now though.

I also appreciate the studies which ALA funds which allow us to have some hard data to take to legislators. And I appreciate their professional books.

I also get a lot from the publications that each of the Sections I belong to produces.

I do membership is too costly for most librarians especially since many of us also belong to our state organizations. I believe there should be a huge discount if you belong to both. Many of my colleagues are making barely more than minimum wage and are working two and three different library jobs to make ends meet. Even $100 is a burden.

I do agree that ALA tends to focus (and wastes much in the way of limited resources) on social issues that have nothing to do with libraries or librarianship.

The new proposal is bad for libraries and our patrons, and the ALA should be way out in front of it, marshaling libraries to speak with one voice (and hugely large purchasing power) and lobbying vendors to come to a mutually-beneficial arrangement in which both vendors’ and libraries’ needs are met.

This is a significant and immediate issue for libraries and librarians, and I know many are passionate about it – but all of us acting individually won’t accomplish much. The ALA already has the infrastructure in place to organize our represent our interest, and I surely would like to see them perform this role.