Thursday, November 17, 2011

Occupied ALA Ignored Cuban Librarians; OWSLibrary is Not a Real Library and People Knew It Would Be Removed

@OWSLibrary is not
"a REAL library"
The American Library Association [ALA] now officially supports the "occupy" movements (including #OWS) intended by its instigators to wreak economic terrorism on the United States of America and bring an end to the United States Constitution.  The ALA proclaimed, "The People's Library, a library constructed by the New York Occupy Wall Street movement, was seized in the early morning hours of Nov. 15, by the New York Police Department during a planned raid to evict Occupy Wall Street protesters from Zuccotti Park."  Source:  "ALA Alarmed at Seizure of Occupy Wall Street Library, Loss of Irreplaceable Material," by Macey Morales, American Library Association, 17 November 2011.  The ALA, in making that statement, is promoting the propaganda of the "occupiers," and, as shown in the above graphic tweet by "@bitchylibrarian," not everyone is falling for the lies.


The #OWS "Library" was Abandoned, Not "Seized"

The "library" is not "a REAL library," as the above tweet notes.  Using the word "library" for convenience, I point out the "library" was not "seized."  Rather, it was abandoned.  When time came to clear out, proper notice was given: "the New York City Police Department and the owners of Zuccotti Park notified protestors in the park that they had to immediately remove tents, sleeping bags and other belongings...."  Many people did take their belongings and clear out.  No one took the "library" or its contents.  It was abandoned instead.  That the New York City Police Department did not dispose of the "library" completely goes to the credit of the NYPD.  The ALA has maligned the NYPD by falsely asserting it "seized" the "library."

@OWSLibrary on Twitter

And it was not a "planned raid."  Instead, "Protestors were asked to temporarily leave the park while this occurred, and have been told that they will be free to return to the park once Brookfield finishes cleaning it later morning."  The ALA has adopted the language of #OWS.  It has joined the movement.

What a coincidence that I had previously written about the ALA and the "occupy" movement:  "Will the ALA Oppose Economic Terrorism?  Stephen Lerner of the SEIU Spells Out Battle Plans Against America, a Perfect Non-Library Issue for the ALA to Sink Its Teeth Into," by Dan Kleinman, SafeLibraries, 22 March 2011.  Now we have our answer.  No, it will not oppose it.  Rather, it will join it.


The ALA Joins Terrorists and Anarchists

And what exactly has the ALA joined?  Let's look at some articles from the same day as the ALA statement.  How about unrepentant terrorist William Ayers right in the ALA's home town:  "Controversial Professor Bill Ayers Speaks With Occupy Chicago Protesters; Former Weather Underground Group Member Teaches Non-Violence to Protesters," by Jessica Guido, NBC Chicago, 17 November 2011.  Ayers is a guy who Canada wouldn't even let into the country.  Repeatedly.  How about people who purposefully frighten little children:  "OWS Protesters Chant 'Follow Those Kids!' As Small Children Try to Go to School on Wall Street; Tiny Tots, Some as Young as 4, Overwhelmed by Hostility, Crush of Humanity," by Emily Smith, CBS New York, 17 November 2011.  Watch the video; see for yourself.  Oh yes, the ALA supports #OWS, that includes its terrorists and anarchists.

Speaking of children, don't forget this:  "Library Propagandizes Children for Occupy Oakland," by Dan Kleinman, SafeLibraries, 2 November 2011.


The #OWSLibrary "Librarians" Knew It Would Eventually Be Cleared!

Here is further evidence of the ALA's propagandizing on behalf of #OWS:  "The Occupy Wall Street Library Regrows in Manhattan," by Christian ZabriskieAmerican Libraries, 16 November 2011, updated 17 November 2011.  "He was also quick to point out that, while he had helped to build and maintain the collection knowing full well that the park would probably be cleared eventually, the manner in which it was done hit him hard."

Well look at that. He knew the "library" would be cleared.  So not only is the "library" not "a REAL library," but the people "kn[e]w[] full well that the park would probably be cleared eventually."

That's an admission against interest.  That statement means no harm was done as they knew the "library" would be cleared.  And when they were given notice to clear the "library," they did not.  Yet the ALA is seeking blood from the NYPD and the City of New York for the "seizure" of the "library" via a"planned raid."

When the SLAPP suit eventually hits the NYPD, etc., I know the above statement will be used to evidence the frivolous nature of such a suit, and I hope punitive damages will be awarded to the City of New York and Mayor Michael Bloomberg as a result.


The Contradiction of the ALA Not Supporting Cuban Librarians But Supporting #OWS

You know what is also really bad?  Here is the ALA standing up for a "library" with false claims that it was "seized" in a "planned raid," yet when that actually happened, in Cuba, the ALA did very little to help.  Oh yes, the ALA would help anywhere around the world.  As ALA Councilor Karen Downing said on 17 November 2011 in an email to the ALA Council, "[W]e are only addressing the destruction of library/archival materials.  This is something ALA has always been very committed to fighting whenever and wherever it occurs."  Except Cuba.  Cuban librarians jailed and books literally burned?  No problem, to the ALA, depending on the political position of the victims.


Friends of Cuban Librarians Describes the ALA

When it comes to Cuban libraries and librarians, the ALA is:
guilty of complicity in repressing intellectual freedom in Cuba. The ALA has systematically denied, ignored and covered up book burning, censorship, mob attacks, raids on libraries, physical assaults against librarians, 20-year prison terms for library workers, and the court-ordered burning of thousands of confiscated library books on the island.

The ALA leadership's silent complicity prolonged the detention of library workers sentenced to 20 year in prison following unfair one-day trials.  And the ALA contributed to the torment endured by the prisoners due to its refusal to respond to appeals for humane treatment of the jailed library workers.

Source:  Robert Kent, Friends of Cuban Libraries, personal communication, 31 March 2011, reprinted with permission.

Silence from the ALA on Cuban
librarians finally being freed.

The Jailed Cuban Librarians Were Finally Freed to Silence From the ALA

The jailed Cuban librarians were finally freed.  See: "Cuba Releases Another 'Group of 75' Dissident," by Efe, FoxNews Latino, 18 March 2011.  No thanks, of course, to the ALA that did very little to speak up for them and next to nothing to protest book burning.

Just look at how the ALA cared about the librarians finally being free.  Any news on the ALA site?  Zero.  Anything published in American Libraries, the ALA's monthly magazine?  Nothing.  The ALA's Intellectual Freedom Round Table [IFRT]?  Silence.  Anything from the Social Responsibilities Round Table [SRRT], supposedly so concerned about "human and economic rights"?  Crickets.  How about the International Federation of Library Associations [IFLA].  Anything?  No.  Could the silence be indicative of anything?

Was ALA Past President Camila Alire being truthful when she said, "the whole concept of intellectual freedom should not just be a white concept"?  Instead the news was the ALA and the IFLA met north of Cuba at the Newport Beachside Hotel and Resort in North Miami Beach, FL, on the August 10-12, 2011, for "Intellectual Freedom in a Changing World," a conference on "international issues related to free access to information in libraries."  Does anything think the freeing of the Cuban librarians was discussed?  More crickets.

I have been writing about the jailed Cuban librarians for quite some time.  Consider these posts:


ALA's Pro-Castro Actions Prolonged the Suffering of the Librarians

Now that the ordeal is finally over, I had to ask myself if the ALA's actions in any way prolonged the suffering of the librarians.  Yes, as the above email from Bob Kent of The Friends of Cuban Libraries shows.  As one ALA member put it, "Some of us who have written against Kent’s campaign are lifelong socialists and friendly toward the Cuban revolution."  Similarly, Nat Hentoff said, "The governing council of the American Library Association ... disgraced itself in January when it overwhelmingly rejected an amendment to a final report at its mid-winter meeting telling Castro to let the librarians out.  Apparently there are members of the council who romanticize Fidel, as do some Hollywood celebrities."  I think that about sums up the ALA leadership. 

One would think the ALA, being the largest library association in the world, would stand up for the rights of jailed librarians.  Indeed, as Bob Kent put it, "the ALA explicitly serves as a defender of freedom of expression everywhere in the world...."  But the ALA did not take a leadership position on this issue.  As a result, almost all library associations worldwide just yawned.

But the ALA is now taking up the cause of the #OWS "library" and promoting the anti-government propaganda of the economic terrorists.


The Problem is the ALA Leadership, Not Rank and File Librarians

And let me be clear the problem is the ALA leadership, not rank and file librarians.  As Bob Kent wrote me, "in contrast to the ALA Council, 76% of respondents to the only membership poll on Cuba in ALA Direct called on the ALA to condemn the Cuban government for its repression of the independent library movement."  Go reread what Bob Kent said.  You will see he clearly addresses ALA leadership.

And here are some juicy statements from ALA Councilors made 17 November 2011 in emails to the ALA Council distribution list:
  • Aaron Dobbs:  "And, yes, this is something ALA should be speaking out about....  A spontaneous community resorce [sic] should not be forcibly destroyed/removed by law enforcement officials at the order of a government."
  • Patrick Sweeney:  "Also, I’m going to be sending some of the money I've raised at the libraryadvocacy store to support this library.  I emailed them as asked what they would like.  I was thinking of supporting their web activity as they don't have a domain name yet and that kind of thing."
  • Diedre Conkling:  "This is a great start and I am very happy that people are working on this resolution.  I know I am not providing anything substantive here but I just wanted to let you know that I think this is a good thing.  Watching the rise of the libraries as a vital part of the Occupy movement has been really interesting.  (Though maybe not surprising to those of us in the library world.)"
  • Karen Downing:  "Definately [sic] count me in on the resolution Patrick!  Thanks for taking the first stab at it."


To be fair, here are some statements that were actually or mostly measured, also made 17 November 2011:
  • Sean Reinhart:  "The Occupy movement is a complex and fast-evolving issue with deep implications both nationally and at the local level where most of us operate.  Any statement or resolution from ALA relating to Occupy should be well-considered and all of the implications of that message thought through.  Our association has members on every side of this issue so we should be careful not to rush to any statement that might run counter to our association's mission and especially the needs of our membership.  In that spirit, I agree 99% that it is appropriate for ALA to make a statement in this matter at this time, however I respectfully submit that we utilize the process and resources we have in place already to craft that message.  I'm new to this Council, so you all haven't yet heard my voice yet."
  • Patrick Sweeney:  "I agree,  that was why I also think it should be aligned with the message already sent from the ALA President.  I don’t really care one way or another about the movement really (as far as the resolution is concerned).  It's about the destruction of a library that had valuable archival material from a significant moment in American History.  It would/should be written to show the support for guerilla libraries in general and used to support in the same way any Tea Party libraries, Green Party libraries, Democratic, Communist or Nazi libraries for example.  It's about the preservation of archival materials generated by the group and against the actions by any government entity to censor or destroy those materials whether or not we agree or disagree with those materials.  It is not about the movement that it is attached to."


This Latest ALA Double Standard Deserves an #OccupyALA Tag

This latest double standard from the ALA (pro-#OWS while Cuban librarians are shrugged off and worse) is yet another reason local communities should ignore ALA diktat.  The sooner the ALA loses influence, the better it will be for communities and those librarians and library workers who live in fear of the ALA.

I suggest we all start using the #OccupyALA tag on Twitter when reporting on the ALA's latest pro-"Occupy Wall Street" propaganda.

Hat tip:


NOTE ADDED LATER ON 18 NOVEMBER 2011:

Having sent a courtesy copy of this email to as many of the named individuals as possible, one ALA Council recipient has seen fit to attack the messenger, namely me.  He overlooks the factual issues raised.  He overlooks the total political message of the ALA ignoring Cuban librarians lack of  intellectual and physical freedom while supporting fake "librarians" with #OWS propaganda.  It's a sure sign I hit the nail on the head and no substantive counter arguments exist, at least from him:
  • Patrick Sweeney:  "Not everyone received the email I did.  But already some are trying to define their lives through the misinterpretation of this resolution. Through false statements about it, outright lies, and purposefully antagonistic one-liners designed to just get media play and further their grandious [sic] desire for selfish validation and 15 Minutes of fame. I'm happy we can provide meaning to their lives.  I'm glad we provide that service for people. That is, after all, one of the great things about libraries! We serve everyone, even those who disagree with our services. I'm happy that even ALA provides these same services to people. It proves we are doing the right  thing."
Mr. Sweeney, I'm calling you out.  Please point out the "false statements," "outright lies," "purposefully antagonistic one-liners designed to just get media play," and the "grandio[se] desire for selfish validation and 15 Minutes of fame."  Then explain why you feel my statements are false or are lies.  I backed them up with hyperlinks to the source documents or statements.  I'll admit the observation that admitting the "library" would eventually be removed, sinking the "seizure" claim and potentially opening any future legal matter to punitive damages, comes from my own legal sense.  Then show me where the ALA cared one iota that the Cuban librarians the ALA hardly helped were eventually released from jail.  If you can show me that, I'll be a monkey's uncle.


OWS Librarian Mandy Henk
NOTE ADDED 19 NOVEMBER 2011:

Look who's censoring now!  Why it's the OWS Library itself!  Telling, no?

Look what it did not publish as a comment (it never got past "awaiting moderation") to "Common Cause Calls on Bloomberg to 'Open Your Wallet' to Replace Books," by Mandy Henk, Occupy Wall Street Library, 17 November 2011, and what a coincidence that Mandy Henk is "one of the volunteers at the Occupy Wall Street People's Library":
Comment the OWS Library selectively censored out of its blog.

The comment that was published instead of mine said, "Awesome.  Totally with you.  Love it.  Was there yesterday for the morning shutdown then rally & walk.  So inspired.  We are winning!"  Right, winning by censoring out voices they do not want others to hear while claiming they have been censored out.  You can't make this stuff up.


NOTE ADDED LATER ON 19 NOVEMBER 2011:

And now a legitimate librarian acting in a legitimate venue has joined the censorship fray and removed my comment from her blog as well, only this time the comment was removed after it was published and after people had read it, judging by the click throughs to my own blog.  I'm telling you, all this comment removal starts to look suspicious, particularly from the free speech people, particularly where they are decrying a supposed lack of free speech.

Unfortunately, I do not recall what I wrote that was removed, neither did I get a screen shot.  My comment was rather detailed and aimed at an audience of legitimate librarians.  I was likely censored out for being truthful, else it would not have drawn the attention of the censor.

So, the People's Library Intellectual Freedom Award for hiding legitimate opposition to the false claims of "seizure" and "planned raids" by pointing out that the "library" was abandoned as originally intended is hereby granted to:


NOTE ADDED 22 NOVEMBER 2011:

The Library Journal now features a blog post by the Annoyed Librarian that specifically names me and agrees with me on what I said here and even goes further.  She disagrees with my comments about the ALA having an interest in Cuba, but the ALA has interests in many libraries outside the USA, and Cuba should be no different.  Be sure to see all the comments as well:

  • "What is an American Library?," by Annoyed Librarian, Library Journal, 21 November 2011.
    Whatever its purpose or usefulness, the OWS library wasn't a public library and it wasn't a cornerstone of democracy and it wasn't necessary to ensure that everyone has access to free information.
    ....
    Everyone knew it would eventually be cleared.  It wasn't a library in any public sense of the word.  It was a collection of books in a park to entertain or inform a group of transient protesters.  There was never a plan for preservation or permanence.  Even the circulation policy encouraged the dissolution of the library.

Also, Mandy Henk did eventually publish my blog comment.  And Patrick Sweeney and I had a lengthy conversation and he's a decent guy, from what I can tell.  Meantime, the ALA Council is still pursuing its blind support of the OWS Library, even trying to expedite it.


NOTE ADDED 29 NOVEMBER 2011:

This just in:

Romans, Larry
6:31 PM (30 minutes ago)

to ACRLEADS, alacoun, ALA
To which groups we send our messages has not been consistent. Please forgive any duplication.

Some ALA members and councilors see the Occupy Wall Street folks as "good guys" and the Cuban "librarians" as "bad guys." However, I don't see how ALA can support a resolution decrying what happened to the Occupy "library" if we want to continue to oppose recognizing the Cuban "libraries."

When is a library a library? If our definition of a library includes the Occupy "library," how does it not include the Cuban "libraries"? Unless we want to change our views on the Cuban "libraries," I don't think we can support the Occupy "library" resolution.

Larry

Larry Romans,
Vanderbilt University Libraries,
Nashville, TN 37203-2427


NOTE ADDED 30 NOVEMBER 2011:

This just in:

Romans, Larry
12:27 AM (9 minutes ago)

to srrtac-l, ACRL, ALA, ALA

From Rory Litwin:

Larry should really address the important distinction that has been drawn by more than one person, that the OWS Library is grass-roots but the Cuban "independent libraries" are not.  Michael Dowling in ALA's International Relations Office has confirmed that the Cuban "independent libraries" are not grass roots but are a product of State Department strategy.  This is a fact and it should be a part of the discussion.

My response:


I remembered Michael Dowling's report but was glad to reread it. Here is the link Rory gave us:

http://libraryjuicepress.com/docs/Cuba_Update_06.08.doc

I am not advocating that ALA sponsor the Cuban independent libraries.  I'm saying that it's not consistent to support one and not support the other.  I've never heard that ALA has defined libraries by whether they are "grass roots."  I think using Michael Dowling's report as an argument is still a variation on the "good guys" vs. "bad guys" argument.

Larry

Now back to me, SafeLibraries, let me also add that OWSLibrary is now supporting the end of capitalism, and the ALA is supposed to be supporting the OWSLibrary?  Thank goodness for people with brains like Larry Romans.  The latest OWSLibrary posting says, hyperlinks in original and containing key evidence OWSLibrary seeks the end of capitalism, "But they are people who are caught up in a system that has run its course, a system that has generated tremendous wealth for the few through the wonton destruction of the natural environment and human society."

The ALA supports that?


NOTE ADDED 3 DECEMBER 2011:

See also:


NOTE ADDED 25 MAY 2012:

See also:





11 comments:

  1. All through your post you keep claiming the People's Library is not a real library. It was a place where people could go to get information from a wide range of media and reference materials at no cost. I am fairly certain that is the definition of a library.

    You comment on how they knew it would at some time be cleared. There is a difference between being evicted from the park and the destruction of the materials. Had the NPC government simply removed all items to the storage facility, there will not be this level of interest in the story.

    I believe I read a post on the library's blog which addresses your comment on it being "abandoned." Basically it stated that it is a little tough to move 5000 books in the middle of the night with no transportation and only a few people minding the library.

    Finally, a comment on your last update. You say what a coincidence that the article was made by Mandy Henk who is one of the librarians at OWS.
    Why is this a coincidence? It is after all their blog?

    -Chris

    ReplyDelete
  2. Chris, thanks for writing. It's not a real library. It's a collection of reading material and the llke that according to one of its own "librarians" was eventually going to be eliminated. So there's that. You could borrow things and never have to bring it back. Doesn't sound like any library I know. It's an "occupied" library. Occupying is necessarily the act of trepass. I know of no library created to trespass on the rights of others. There are so many other reasons it is not a library.

    Oh yes, the "library" signs were attractively drawn, but you could put a "free dinner" sign on road kill and it still wouldn't be free dinner.

    Regarding the issue of evicted versus destruction, that's irrelevant. People were asked to leave for the purpose of a temporary clean up and to bring their belongings. Many did. Some did not. The "librarians," for example, did not. Instead, the "library" was left there, abandoned, along with all the other filth and disease that had been building up that caused the need to clean the park in the first place. Why didn't the "librarians" enlist help from that utopian society and take the "library" with them so they could return to a cleaned out park? They did not, however. They simply abandoned the "library" they knew would be temporary. The responsibility fell on the "librarians" to maintain the "library," not on the people cleaning up the park to keep the garbage in tip top condition.

    I think the above also addressed your concern about moving 5000 books. And the "library" only needed to be moved outside the park, not a great distance. Too bad it wasn't. Really, it was poor "librarianship" to abandon such a "library."

    Regarding Mandy Henk, I did not realize that was "their blog" and she was a member of that blog. So you are saying that blog is partly under her control? I avoided saying Mandy Henk censored out my comment on her blog because I did not know if that was true, but it appears to be, based on what you just said, Chris. Chris, how exactly is this "librarian," and I know she's a real librarian elsewhere and that's great, decrying censorship while at the same time practicing censorship (defining the word very loosely as the censorship screamers are wont to do)? Of course the American Library Association does that as well, so I am certain Mandy Henk will be given some kind of official ALA recognition at some point, kind of like a national food rating agency giving an A+ to delicious road kill.

    ReplyDelete
  3. "...intended by its instigators to wreak economic terrorism on the United States of America and bring an end to the United States Constitution."

    In your comment on the OWS Library blog, you point out that you will remove comments that include ad hominem arguments. In the name of consistency, I recommend removing the sentence that I quoted above.

    If you disagree with OWS, fine. (I don't know that many people outside of Corporate America and Washington, DC actually have much reason to disagree with them, however. See link at the bottom of this post.) But to call them "economic terrorists" or accuse them of treason is inaccurate, uncivil, and unhelpful. It's no better than people running around calling each other "communists" and "fascists."

    Declaration of the Occupation of New York City
    http://www.nycga.net/resources/declaration/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for writing, Spekkio.

    I didn't expand on that sentence that you raise since it is somewhat tangential to my main point and since in my previous post on the "occupy" topic I provided evidence to prove the matter asserted. Basically, where someone states that he seeks to destroy the American economy and seeks to train others on how to bring about the end of the USA as we know it, I am entitled to report that without using ad hominem argument, or whatever you said. Besides, MoveOn.org made the same or similar assessment, and I linked to that MoveOn reference.

    So I'm on solid ground. A simple look around evidences that the plans to end the USA as we know it are actively in place and underway. So I'm not so sure what could be ad hominem about reporting someone said he would do something to undermine our country and that something is now underway.

    So I won't be removing that sentence as it is accurate, sourced (in my previous but linked blog post on the "occupy" topic, including a video of the person involved and a link to MoveOn.org), and not ad hominem.

    The problem is not my reporting what they and others said, rather it's that people are actively working to bring about economic terrorism. And the MSM media will not report it, so it all happens under the radar and people like you are not even aware. It's not uncivil to say someone is planning economic terrorism when he says so himself and when even a George Soros organization like MoveOn.org agrees what he's planning can be viewed as economic terrorism.

    Please write again any time. I hope you'll agree my blog posts are intriguing. Consider subscribing. Can't wait to hear what you'll say when I report that the ALA OIF practices plagiarism and I provide the reliable sources to prove it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Quote:

    "Chris, thanks for writing. It's not a real library. It's a collection of reading material and the llke"

    A "collection of reading material" is by dictionary definition a library. So yes, the OWS Library is a library.

    I understand you have a bone to pick with the ALA. Well, the OWS Library was NOT affiliated with ALA at the time of its destruction, so please don't bring the OWS Library into your war against the ALA.

    Thank You

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous, thanks for writing. I disagree with you on your definition of what is a library, which to you is any collection of books. OWS Library is/was a collection of books, but it is not now and never was a library. Definitely read this to get a better picture: "What is an American Library?," by Annoyed Librarian, Library Journal, 21 November 2011.

    Regarding the ALA, it is not I who brought the ALA in this OWS fake library mess. Rather it was the ALA, and I have every right to report that. The ALA tossed aside any objectivity and immediately absorbed and rebroadcast the propaganda of the OWS Library "librarians." Worse, the ALA refused to assist real librarians with real books being burned when the regime doing the burning and jailing and torturing was a regime that the ALA leadership supported. So the ALA has different standards based on its political views. Hence the ALA's support for the OWS Library is to promote its political interests and is not based on truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

    I think the OWS Library would be more successful if it endeavored to do the right thing instead of endeavoring to propagandize as many as possible with false and misleading information.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Libraries can be many different things. As a child I went to a private library run by two nice old ladies out of their house. If the sherif had been called on a zoning violation and had destroyed all their books would you support that as well.

    You mention the Cuban librarians but by relentlessly refusing to acknowledge the occupy library as a library you seem to be writing a procedural for Cuban authorities to defend their authoritarianism.

    I also find your blog title strange. I can't imagine using the word safe to describe libraries. Libraries are intended to be a repository for knowledge which is by its definition dangerous. You could just as easily run a blog called safe armories. But even that would make more sense, in that armories are meant to maintain the control of weapons under a central authority while libraries are meant to dispense knowledge to the public.

    Governments that value safety run "libraries" like armories. One of my professors was from Eastern Europe and he said it was immensely safe with no crime. Even the prisons, many of which he was privileged to lodge in as inmate for his political activities were reported to be friendly places.

    I will read more of your blog later, but I wonder what kind of "library" you yearn for and if you really understand the implications of your desires.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Calling these people 'economic terrorists' is rhetoric on par with the fervor about 'counterrevolutionaries' in Cuba and other communist dictatorships.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This just in:

    Romans, Larry
    6:31 PM (36 minutes ago)

    to ACRLEADS, alacoun, ALA
    To which groups we send our messages has not been consistent. Please forgive any duplication.

    Some ALA members and councilors see the Occupy Wall Street folks as "good guys" and the Cuban "librarians" as "bad guys." However, I don't see how ALA can support a resolution decrying what happened to the Occupy "library" if we want to continue to oppose recognizing the Cuban "libraries."

    When is a library a library? If our definition of a library includes the Occupy "library," how does it not include the Cuban "libraries"? Unless we want to change our views on the Cuban "libraries," I don't think we can support the Occupy "library" resolution.

    Larry

    Larry Romans,
    Vanderbilt University Libraries,
    Nashville, TN 37203-2427

    ReplyDelete
  11. An interesting side note to all this is that a sign posted on a fence surrounding Zuccotti Park after the police raid claimed it was a "Passive Park", which by definition in many municipalities includes the following permitted uses: pedestrian activities, hiking, and jogging; or features historical, cultural, archaeological attractions & LIBRARIES. Just saying.

    ReplyDelete

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