Showing posts with label AlaCouncil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AlaCouncil. Show all posts

Sunday, March 13, 2022

School Librarians Admit Past Racism, Endorse State-Sponsored Reverse Racism

School librarians are all in on state-sponsored racism.  Read this posted a few days ago from the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division within American Library Association (ALA):

ALA Resolution 52 from AASL:

Because we so often run out of time to discuss the other resolutions, I wanted to share my 3 minute explanation of resolution 52 which we should be discussing and voting on today.

Why did AASL bring this resolution? This resolution is not solely an apology for inaction and for harm to others regarding past actions that were brought to our attention by author Wayne Wiegand. While looking at the actions, inactions and the silence of the past, we looked at ALA and AASL today to see how well we are working together on current EDI initiatives. We discovered that AASL has taken some beginning steps that others in ALA are unaware:

AASL has created documents and initiatives to support equity, diversity and inclusion and we listed these in the resolution in case you haven't seen them.

AASL has sponsored Spectrum Scholars program since its inception – our current president Kathy Carroll is a Spectrum Scholar.

Equity, diversity & inclusion are core values of our profession; EDI is at the forefront of AASL policies, our strategic, and our operational plans; and within every area of school librarian practice.

We acknowledge and we apologize for past actions and inactions that have harmed members of the profession and for the part AASL and ALA has played in historical racism and segregation in the library profession.

We commit to promoting diversity at the beginning of their careers, in leadership opportunities and in the greater work of AASL and ALA through an EDI lens in a sustainable manner.

We see the need for better communication throughout ALA so all are aware of EDI initiatives. One of the problems historically has not been that nothing was done, but that nothing was written or communicated to others within our profession about our work and opportunities.

AASL stands ready to lead loudly while creating opportunities and resources for collaboration with ALA divisions, ALA chapters, AASL chapters, ALA Roundtables and Ethnic Caucuses to create a stronger voice for our profession.

At a time when school and youth librarians are being targeted in our society for our intellectual freedom and social justice efforts; at a time when our BIPOC students are losing equitable access to school librarians and their libraries; at a time when we need to be standing together, taking action and communicating to others, this is when ALA needs to join with us to acknowledge the past, commit to doing better, and sharing our message of power and hope to promote Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Efforts in ALA while addressing historical effects of racism.

------------------------------
Diane R. Chen
School Librarian @ Stratford STEM Magnet School
AASL Division Councilor
------------------------------



2021-2022 ALA CD#52 
2022 ALA Virtual January Council Meeting

Resolution to Promote Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Efforts in AASL
While Addressing Historical Effects of Racism

Whereas the American Library Association (ALA) Council adopted resolution CD#41-7618 “Resolution to Honor African Americans Who Fought Library Segregation” stating that the American Library Association participated both passively and actively, in the disenfranchisement of African American librarians, depriving them of the resources of a professional association;

Whereas between 1954 with the Brown v. Board of Education decision through 1968, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) took no action to publicly support Brown or to oppose segregated public school libraries;

Whereas Koch wrote in 1975 “from their late-nineteenth and early twentieth-century origins, southern state library and education associations to which school librarians belonged had been segregated. AASL not only said nothing and took no public position against these racist practices, it continued to accept delegates from segregated school library associations as AASL representatives until the mid-1960s. In 1951, AASL quietly decided that in its state-member Assembly, segregated black and white state library associations could each appoint one representative, but those representatives would each get only half a vote” ;

Whereas AASL acknowledges the racist experiences suffered by Black school librarians including Ernestine Denham Talbert, Jurl Portee Watkins, Carrie Coleman Robinson, and many others who did not have the voice of the association advocating on their behalf;

Whereas the inactions of AASL also caused harm to Black and Indigenous People Of Color (BIPOC) members of the school library profession;

Whereas AASL acknowledges harm done to fellow BIPOC colleagues and offers a sincere apology as an important and necessary first step in the process of reconciliation;

Whereas AASL must communicate how the association has worked to create documents and
initiatives to support equity, diversity and inclusion such as “Developing Inclusive Learners and  Citizens Activity Guide”, “Defending Intellectual Freedom: LGBTQ+ Material in School Libraries" Toolkit, Mary Keeling’s 2019-2020 Presidential Initiative, Office Hours, and Increasing Representation Mentoring Program (IRMP), and the Knowledge Quest March/April 2021 issue Black School Librarianship: Navigating Race and Creating Change;

Whereas, AASL has and continues to be a sponsor of the Spectrum Scholars program since its inception;

Whereas AASL affirms the importance of equity, diversity & inclusion as core values of our profession;

Whereas equity, diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of AASL policies, our strategic, and our operational plans;

Whereas equity, diversity and inclusion are within every area of school librarian practice including collection development, professional development, recruiting, mentoring, and instruction through our National School Library Standards and opens opportunities for future members to see themselves as an integral part of AASL; and

Whereas the inclusion of all perspectives enriches and builds understanding which in turn impacts our school library profession, our learners, and our community; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the American Library Association (ALA), on behalf of its members
  1. Acknowledges the American Association of School Librarians’ past actions and inactions that have harmed members of the profession;
  2. Apologizes to Black school librarians for wrongs committed against them and for AASL’s inactions on behalf of segregated school libraries and school library state associations;
  3. Apologizes to all Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) school librarians for AASL’s part in historical racism and segregation in the school librarian profession;
  4. Commits to promoting diversity in school librarianship in undergraduate and graduate programs and at school recruitment fairs;
  5. Commits to ensuring a diverse and inclusive membership by recruiting, welcoming and encouraging BIPOC school librarians to consider leadership opportunities within ALA and AASL;
  6. Commits to applying and prioritizing an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) lens in all aspects of the greater work of AASL and ALA;
  7. Commits to sustaining a more diverse and inclusive leadership within ALA and AASL in terms of ethnicity, gender, and ability representation;
  8. Communicates all EDI initiatives throughout AASL, ALA and the profession;
  9. Creates opportunities and resources for collaboration with ALA divisions, ALA chapters, AASL chapters, ALA Roundtables and Ethnic Caucuses to create a stronger voice for our profession.
Mover: Diane R. Chen, AASL Division Councilor 
Seconder: Erika Long, Chapter Councilor
Kathy Carroll, Councilor-at-Large
Kathy Lester, Councilor-at-Large
Brenda Pruitt-Annisette, MLS, Ed.D., Chair, Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee 
Dorcas Hand, Councilor-at-Large
Joyce Kasman Valenza, PhD, Councilor-at-Large
Dr. Daniella Smith, Councilor-at-Large
Sara Dallas, Councilor at Large
Amy Lappin, Councilor-at-Large
Sara Kelly Johns, Councilor-at-Large

Version 11/07/2021

References:

American Association of School Librarians. 2019. “Developing Inclusive Learners and Citizens Activity Guide.”
 
American Association of School Librarians. 2021, March/April. ”Black School Librarianship: Navigating Race and Creating Change.” Knowledge Quest vol. 49, no. 4.

Koch, Charles William. 1975. “A History of the Association of American School Librarians, 1950- 1971.” PhD diss. Southern Illinois University.

Wiegand, Wayne A. 2021. “Race and School Librarianship in the Jim Crow South, 1954-1970: The Untold Story of Carrie Coleman Robinson as a Case Study.” Library Quarterly: Information, Community, Policy, vol. 91, no. 3, pp. 254-269. 2021 by the University of Chicago.

Wiegand, Wayne A., and Shirley A. Wiegand. 2018. The Desegregation of Public Libraries in the Jim Crow South: Civil Rights and Local Activism. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press.

- - - END - - -
- - - SOURCE LINK - - -


To me, the above "Resolution" tells me the so-called "National School Library Standards" are racist and anything a school librarian says in furtherance of such "Standards" will be racist.  To me, the above shows me school librarians are all in on state-sponsored racism also known as Critical Race Theory.  What does it tell you?

As an aside, these same racist school librarians are calling it "freadom" for school kids to have school access to graphic child p r n—so why should we believe these racist groomers?  At least some people are no longer blindly accepting school librarian grooming, like Larry Sanger of Wikipedia and Knowledge Standards Foundation fame:


—
URL of this page:  
@aasl @dianerchen @ks_found @lsanger @magnet_stem



















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Location: Chicago, IL, USA

Friday, January 30, 2015

Antisemitism at ALA Midwinter

Antisemitism at ALA Midwinter (link)?  Yes.  Not all of the American Library Association [ALA], just a few like University of Illinois professor emeritus Al Kagan (link).

To make a long story short, ALA Council (link) member Al Kagan is leading an effort to convince ALA to pass a resolution to divest ALA from certain American corporations such as Caterpillar (link).  Why?  Because Caterpillar products are used by the Israeli Defense Forces (link) [IDF] to defend Israel from terrorists and Al Kagan is a member of the BDS movement (link) that commits economic jihad against Israel and the United States.

As Al Kagan put it, "Caterpillar Inc. sells heavy equipment used by the Israeli government to demolish Palestinian homes and agricultural lands, as well as to build illegal Israeli settlements...."  Never mind the terror tunnels (link) and the beheadings (link) that Israel and the rest of the world including parts of the Muslim world are defending against, right?

Librarians are not happy with the way Al Kagan seeks to use ALA for his own promotion of antisemitism.  For example:




Al Kagan is known to be way out there, like when he called ALA's top icon Judith Krug a racist (link).

He even has a history of using ALA Council to perpetuate his antisemitism (link).  "Rory Litwin allowed Library Juice to be used by Al Kagan, a Library Administration professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana, where he is active in the anti-Israel divestment campaign (link)."

For ALA's history of antisemitism generally, see Librarians for Fairness (link) and "Librarians for Terror (link)," by Lee Kaplan, FrontPageMagazine.com, 24 August 2004.

Anti-Semite Al Kagan (link)
But Al Kagan's latest move is to attack a Jewish librarian who dared to speak up against his antisemitism.  Free speech only goes so far for certain free speech ALA Councilors/professors.  And his attack was done with flat out deception.  Indeed that blatant deception is what motivated me to write about his use of ALA Midwinter to promote his antisemitism again, as he used ALA in the past.  And notice he could care less that she feels his resolution is antisemitic.

He mocks the Jewish librarian for mentioning the IDF.  He says is was "not even remotely included" in his antisemitic resolution.  True he didn't mention the word IDF.  Yet he wants ALA to dump Caterpillar stock—because its products are used by the IDF, the "Israeli government" as he put it.  So the IDF is a direct target of Al Kagan, yet he hides this by saying the IDF is "not even remotely included," just so he can fool others into using ALA to promote his Jew hatred.  If you have to hide your antisemitism by attacking a Jewish librarian with flat out false claims, you obviously know there's no legitimate basis for whatever it is you're promoting so you need to turn to ad hominem argument.  And being Jewish is no defense to being an anti-semite.

Okay.  That's my opinion.  Here are relevant excerpts of the emails that support my assertions that there's antisemitism at ALA Midwinter, bold emphasis mine, and other librarians are saying it as well, as shown below.  See if you agree:
Al Kagan
Jan 28, 2015
to ALA, SRRTAC-L

Councilors,

The SRRT International Responsibilities Task Force sent the following 2 resolutions to the Resolutions Committee yesterday.  We look forward to discussing them in Chicago.

Al Kagan
SRRT Councilor

African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration Emeritus
University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign


Resolution on ALA Divestment from Caterpillar, Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola Solutions

Whereas in its “Core Values of Librarianship” the American Library Association (ALA) “recognizes its broad social responsibilities,” defined “in terms of the contribution that librarianship can make in ameliorating or solving the critical problems of society; support for efforts to help inform and educate the people of the United States on these problems and to encourage them to examine the many views on and the facts regarding each problem; and the willingness of ALA to take a position on current critical issues with the relationship to libraries and library service set forth in the position statement” (ALA Policy Manual A1.1);

Whereas the  International Court of Justice; the European Union; the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the UN Security Council, the UN Economic and Social Council, the UN Commission on Human Rights, the UN Human Rights Council; Amnesty International; Human Rights Watch; and the International Committee of the Red Cross have condemned the establishment of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, the destruction of Palestinian homes and property, and the construction of a separation barrier in Palestinian territory as violations of international law and as obstacles to economic and social development and the attainment of peace and justice in the Middle East;

Whereas Caterpillar Inc. sells heavy equipment used by the Israeli government to demolish Palestinian homes and agricultural lands, as well as to build illegal Israeli settlements on that land and roads solely used by illegal Israeli settlers; and Caterpillar Inc. helps to construct the Separation Barrier extending across the 1967 "Green Line" into the East Jerusalem and the West Bank;

Whereas Hewlett-Packard (HP) provides hardware and serves as a contractor to the Israeli Navy to manage all Information Technology (IT) including its operational communications, logistics, and planning such as the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip; HP, through its ownership of Electronic Data Systems, sells Israel the electronic biometric identification scanning equipment to monitor the movement of all 2.4 million Palestinians, including equipment for the mandatory biometric scanning required for getting through checkpoints to jobs, hospitals, food and other daily needs; and HP also provides communications technology to the Israeli army;

Whereas Motorola Solutions Inc. has been involved with selling wide-area surveillance systems for installation in the illegal Israeli settlements and a communications system known as "Mountain Rose" to the Israeli government, which uses it for military communications, as well as rugged cell phones used by the Occupation forces in the Palestinian Territories;

Whereas for these reasons the United Nations Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories has called for a boycott of Caterpillar Inc., Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola Solutions Inc.;

Whereas in June 2014 the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), motivated by these concerns, voted to divest its holdings in Caterpillar Inc., Hewlett-Packard, and Motorola Solutions Inc.;

Whereas in the 1980s the American Library Association joined in the international divestment campaign against South African apartheid as a tool for non-violent political change;

Whereas in 1994 the ALA Council voted to endorse the 10-point South African Council of Churches Code of Conduct for Businesses Operating in South Africa, as guidance on investment decisions for the ALA Endowment Trustees concerning corporate policies on equal opportunity, training and education, workers’ rights, working and living conditions, job creation and security, community relations, consumer protection, environmental protection, and empowerment of black businesses; and

Whereas the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) call for the incorporation of environmental, social, and corporate governance issues into investment ownership policies and practices; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Council of the American Library Association (ALA), on behalf of the members of ALA,

(1) directs ALA to divest itself of any holdings in Caterpillar Inc., Hewlett Packard, and Motorola Solutions Inc.; and

(2) declares that it will not invest in these companies until ALA Council is fully satisfied that product sales and services by these companies are no longer complicit in:
  a. constructing and providing security for illegal Israeli settlements;
  b. constructing and maintaining walls and fences that illegally encroach upon Palestinian lands;
  c. managing checkpoints that dehumanize Palestinians and cut off innocent civilians from their property and natural resources; and
  d. contributing to and profiting from the military occupation of the Palestinian territories.

Mover: Al Kagan, SRRT Councilor, 217-819-9975

Seconder: Jane Glasby, Councilor-at-Large, 510-206-8614


Audrey Barbakoff
Jan 28, 2015
to ALA

I am a new Councilor and this is my first post to this listserv, so please forgive me if I’m misunderstanding anything here.  I appreciate learning from all of you!
....
Such resolutions would have broad, far-reaching meaning with impacts well beyond the nuances of this particular conflict and region.  By focusing only on the destruction of Palestinian libraries, rather than the many cultural institutions threatened around the world; by singling out one country for divestment while we continue to financially support atrocities in other places; and by calling out Israel specifically when our usual policy is to avoid focusing on individual cases; we miss many important and powerful opportunities to be socially conscious.  We deny ourselves future access to a resolution which could be applied to protest social ills in many situations.  We make the conversation about whether or not ALA is an anti-Semitic organization, instead of about ALA and SRRT’s ability to be a force for social justice.
....
Audrey Barbakoff
Councilor-at-Large


Al Kagan
Jan 29, 2015
to ALA, SRRTAC-L

Councilors,

As you know by now, there is a national campaign going on against the 2 SRRT resolutions with the help of media consultants.  As I stated in my previous message, we expected a sophisticated national campaign against the resolutions.  I am getting messages from people who are very not likely not librarians or members of ALA.

What surprises me is that this campaign is much less sophisticated than we expected.  Many of the messages show that the senders have not even read the resolutions.  Many of the messages refer to language that is not remotely included, and one recent message referred to 4 separate resolutions on various topics.  The one below really takes the cake.  For those who don't know, the IDF is the Israeli Defense Force, that is the Israeli military.

I look forward to debating the resolutions on their merits as informed by ALA core values.

Al Kagan
SRRT Councilor

African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration Emeritus
University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign

Begin forwarded message:

[Name elided]
Jan 29, 2015
to Al Kagan

Subject: ALA initiative

This initiative against the IDF is unconscionable.  It is antisemitic in the extreme.  It must not go forward.

[Name elided], member of AJL [Association of Jewish Libraries (link)]


NOTE ADDED 30 JANUARY 2015:

Apparently, having the opinion someone is an antisemite based statements by others and his own statements made for over a decade is known as an "attack."  I "attacked" no one.  I reported, there's a big difference there, on the sustained antisemitism and use of ALA resources by one ALA Council member, and provided evidence both past and present.

That said, Daniel Cornwall is clearly worried that my accurately reporting what he said may have an effect on his career similar to how Chrissie Hynde reportedly (but not in reality) felt about Rush Limbaugh using the Pretenders song "Our City Was Gone" as his radio show's theme song.

The only thing I said to which Daniel Cornwall objects is, "Librarians are not happy with the way Al Kagan seeks to use ALA for his own promotion of antisemitism."  Tell, am I wrong, are they happy?  As Mr. Cornwall said himself in response to me, and I agree completely:
Instead we're potentially giving a lot of time to discussing divisive issues overseas at a time when I don't personally feel we're giving enough attention to what is going on in our back yard. That's all my tweets were meant to convey.
So basically, legitimate business of the American Library Association is being ignored while Al Kagan persists in his "divisive issues overseas" and his using ALA as his own hammer.  Well ALA should not be Al Kagan's hammer.  And all I said was "Librarians are not happy with the way Al Kagan seeks to use ALA for his own promotion of antisemitism," just another side of the same coin of what Daniel said.

And ALA Councilors are still discussing the obvious efforts of Al Kagan.  One just said, "These are tough issues, and unlike Councilor Kagen, I welcome perspectives from the broader world, don't see them as part of an organized conspiracy, and will consider, embrace, dismiss them on the merits that I see in each one."

I am 100% certain I reported accurately, and this latest evidence only confirms it further.

Daniel Cornwall is likely well aware that I am watching and reporting because, in true self-arrogated free speech advocate fashion, he wrote, "I would also like to ask that we refrain from calling each other conspiracy theorists or other names on list.  Please take that offline."

He misses that is was the antisemite himself who made the conspiracy theory claim: "As you know by now, there is a national campaign going on against the 2 SRRT resolutions with the help of media consultants."  Those Jews controlling the media again, I suppose.

You be the judge on what Daniel Cornwall wrote about me:




NOTE ADDED 28 MARCH 2015:

Apparently, antisemitism is par for the course for ALA:




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Location: Chicago, IL, USA

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

FLA Flips ALA the Bird on Florida's Stand Your Ground Law

Northern Mockingbird
Mimus Polyglottus
Florida State Bird
The Florida Library Association [FLA] has flipped the American Library Association [ALA] the bird, and in Florida, that means the mockingbird.  FLA mocks ALA for taking political positions that have nothing to do with librarianship.  And ALA is already mounting a response to attempt to force FLA to act as ALA wishes, similar to what ALA does in local communities, only this time it applies to a state library association.

ALA's ruling "ALA Council" (one that, for example, bullies its conservative Christian members) has recently decided to take on yet another non-library issue, like fried librarian giblets, but in this case, it's Florida's Stand Your Ground law.  This started after ALA's "Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc." [BCALA] published the following:
  • "Black Caucus of ALA Denounces ALA's Decision to Hold 2016 Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla," by BCALA, American Library Association, 17 March 2014:
    The Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), condemns the American Library Association's (ALA) decision to continue with plans to hold the ALA 2016 annual conference in Orlando, Fla. in the wake of the George Zimmerman verdict and that state's refusal to revise or repeal "Stand Your Ground" laws, which were included in jury instructions in Zimmerman's trial for second degree murder for fatally shooting unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla. in 2012.
ALA is scheduled to have an annual convention in Orlando, FL, in 2016.  As a result, ALA Council is now discussing whether to move the convention out of Florida or to use the event to oppose Florida's gun laws and guns generally.

ALA is frequently mocked for allowing a few people to drive the entire organization to support progressive causes having nothing to do with librarianship.  The latest example is the Annoyed Librarian writing for the Library Journal in "An Idea For a Resolution":
I have a suggestion for the Socially Responsible Round Table.  The next time you want to push a meaningless resolution about something unrelated to the libraries, why not instead push a meaningless resolution in support of the third of Americans that have no library access at all.  That actually has something to do with libraries and it's a worthy cause.  It's just not very sexy.
Well ALA decided to pressure FLA to provide input on whether to move the conference out of Florida or to suggest how FLA proposes going about using the conference to pressure Floridians and conference visitors on their own gun laws.

FLA was having none of that.  It responded ever so politely by telling ALA that FLA addresses issues facing Florida libraries and librarians.  See the FLA letter to the ALA or read it below.  And FLA's Alan Kornblau wrote, "As a member of the FLA Executive Board and Florida Chapter Councilor, I support FLA's position and encourage lovers of libraries to attend our state conference at the beautiful Buena Vista Palace in Lake Buena Vista, Florida from May 7 – 9, 2014, as well as the 2016 ALA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida."

Given ALA was subtly pressuring FLA to take a position on a non-librarian and progressive political issue of gun control and tossing aside the Second Amendment, FLA's response that clearly defines its mission as one of libraries and librarians is basically mocking ALA for taking on those progressive, non-library political issues.

And since the Florida state bird is the Northern Mockingbird, it appears FLA is flipping ALA the bird and mocking its northern ALA.

Well, ALA is not used to people telling ALA off.  So ALA Councilor Gladys Smiley Bell responded to Alan Kornblau—you see, library workers and users "fear" living in Florida so that makes opposing gun laws and the "struggle for equality and fairness" into "library advocacy" and "an opportunity to promote change":
This is about library advocacy which I support.  This is an opportunity to promote change in states that includes library workers, libraries, library users in light of BCALA and others fight for safety, a safe environment, and other discriminating acts regarding the struggle for equality and fairness.  I don't like living with fear for myself or my teenage grandsons.
And ALA Councilor Al Kagan steamed, "Alan, Thanks for forwarding the Florida Library Association letter.  Unfortunately, it does not address the issue at hand."

So you know ALA received the message loud and clear that FLA was not going to be ALA's political hatchet man and was not going to take on non-library issues.

The night is young and the typical Chicago Way pressure from Chicago's ALA is only just beginning to build.  The conference is in 2016.  We'll have to wait to see if it the conference is moved or not.  I doubt it, but it won't be for a lack of trying.

Read FLA's letter to ALA for yourself to see FLA is sticking to library issues only:



March 18, 2014

Dear Colleagues and Friends at ALA,

On behalf of the Florida Library Association, our Executive Board thanks you for your recent inquiry about our Association's focus.

Our mission statement notes that our association:  "develops programs and undertakes activities to earn it a leadership position for all areas of librarianship.  To do this, the Association works with other professional organizations and professions that are relevant to librarianship; provides increasing opportunities for librarians and support staff in Florida to advance their skills so that they can maintain their effectiveness in the new information age; works closely with the information industry, facilitating productive links with the library community; and continues its role as legislative advocate for excellence in all types of library service within the State of Florida and beyond."

Since we are an organization with finite funds and limited staff we focus all our resources on issues directly supporting libraries and librarians in the state of Florida.   Keeping libraries open and librarians employed so that our libraries can provide the best library services possible to their users is our primary focus.  Our legislative platform focuses on funding libraries of all types.

The Florida Library Association supports the position that libraries are forums for information and ideas and that their resources should be available to all.  We encourage people to exercise their rights as individuals and support free speech.  We have a very active Intellectual Freedom Committee that was so effective it spawned a new member group last year, "Readers Rights and Privacy."  We have adopted supporting positions on "Public Library Funding," "Freedom to Read," ALA's "Library Bill of Rights," "Code of Ethics," and "Ethics Statements for Public Trustees," and have statements on "Privatization" and "Professional Education."

The Florida Library Association is looking forward to the 2016 ALA Conference in Orlando and the opportunity for Florida librarians, friends, and staff to attend.

We also encourage you to attend our FLA Conference this spring, May 7-9 at the Buena Vista Palace in Orlando.

Sincerely,
/s/
Gladys Roberts, President

The FLA letter may be downloaded here:  http://tinyurl.com/FLAflipsALAtheBird

By the way, since FLA appropriately sticks to library issues, I hope it addresses these:


NOTE ADDED 25 MARCH 2014:

As presaged, and this didn't take long, ALA has struck back at FLA.  Only days ago I wrote, "The night is young and the typical Chicago Way pressure from Chicago's ALA is only just beginning to build."  Sure enough, ALA President Barbara Stripling (a very nice lady from what I can see, by the way) is striking back and hard.  In big, Chicago Way style.  She is organizing the full power of ALA to community organize all librarians to punish FLA for insolence and promote progressive causes in libraries nationwide, starting with opposing guns laws.  What does this have to do with librarianship?  Nothing, but the ends justifies the means, no?

She is charging directly at any state library association that would dare do what FLA did, using FLA as the whipping boy.  "ALA's Executive Committee and BCALA's Executive Board decided that the best way to respond to the Florida situation is by turning it into an opportunity to educate, build awareness, and advocate for equitable treatment, inclusion, and respect for diversity.  We have agreed on the following actions: ... Support for conversations and actions at the state level facilitated by state library associations or other organizations within the states."

So, FLA, the full weight of ALA will "support conversation and actions at the state level facilitated by state library associations...."  That means you, FLA.  You will support "conversation" and "action" on the very progressive political cause you politely avoided.  If you do not acquiesce, there will be more and more "conversation" and "action" until you come to heel.

"Most troubling is the growing prevalence of Stand Your Ground laws," writes Barbara Stripling et alia.  So even though you, FLA, said you will not engage in that political activity because you wanted to spend limited resources instead on libraries and librarians, you will soon learn the most cost effective move will be to give in to the ALA instead of constantly fending off the "conversation" and "action" that ALA is gathering to bring to bear in Orlando as a direct result of your giving ALA the bird.  ALA's flipping you back a bigger bird.  No other state library association will dare defy ALA further.

This is how ALA pushes porn in libraries nationwide, like this: http://tinyurl.com/DirtyDozenALA

This is how ALA pushes state library associations to come to heel.  Even to the point of teaching them the opposite of the law so they will promote porn in libraries.

And, it's already working!
As the Councilor from Louisiana and one of the councilors who originally suggested state-level action, I will be bringing this statement with me tomorrow to the Executive Board Meeting at the Annual Conference of the Louisiana Library Association, where I will recommend that we have our own chapter-based Task Force devoted to issues of diversity within our profession—well in advance of any upcoming ALA conferences in New Orleans. 
I would also like to put my name forward as being interested in working with the your Special Presidential Task Force, Barbara—in whatever way you deem appropriate. 
Stephanie 
Stephanie Ganic Braunstein, MA MLIS
Head Government Documents/Microforms Librarian
& Liaison to Political Science
Louisiana State University
Middleton Library
Regional Depository #222

Louisiana State University.  A public university.  What a coincidence.

Does anyone know if this political activity violates ALA's 501(c)(3) tax exempt status?  Are taxpayers supporting an organization that calls itself the American Library Association but that instead works to promote progressive political causes, much like Media Matters for America and the like?  Is there something wrong with libraries and librarians that ALA needs to come out openly as promoting progressive causes, like opposing Stand Your Ground laws, having nothing to do with librarianship?

ALA membership is shrinking.  I have to wonder if this non-library, non-librarian political activism is part of the reason why.  "The goal is to use the Orlando conference platform to provoke a national dialogue."  Oh really?  State library associations like FLA far better serve the needs of librarians, I have heard.  And seeing FLA's willingness to keep its focus on library and librarian issues, I can see why.

Here is the ALA statement of 25 March 2014 that represents ALA reacting strongly to a state library association, in this case FLA, daring to express an interest in sticking to issues affecting libraries and librarians:

CHICAGO —The values of diversity, equity, and inclusion form the foundation of the library profession and our professional associations.  Those values have been challenged by the discriminatory enforcement of the "Stand Your Ground" law in Florida and the fact that ALA's 2016 Annual Conference is scheduled for Orlando.  The Executive Committee members of ALA and the BCALA Executive Board have actively engaged in conversation to determine the best solution to this challenging dilemma.  That conversation has been extended to the Executive Boards of AILA, APALA, CALA, and REFORMA with a decision to issue a joint statement of commitment and action. 
In response to BCALA's concern regarding holding the ALA Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, in 2016, the ALA Executive Board thoroughly explored the options for moving the conference.  ALA started by clarifying the facts underlying conference site selection, the implications of trying to move the Orlando conference, and the prevalence of Stand Your Ground laws across the United States.  The contracts for Orlando were negotiated originally in 2000; the Stand Your Ground law in Florida became effective on October 1, 2005.  Cancelling the hotel and convention center contracts would result in a minimum fine of $814,000.  Conferences as large as ALA must be scheduled for specific sites and contracts signed at least 7–10 years in advance.  At this late date, it would be highly unlikely that ALA would be able to find another site with availability during our window of late June/early July 2016. 
Most troubling is the growing prevalence of Stand Your Ground laws. Twenty-two states have laws that allow for that self-defense provision to be asserted (as of August 2013).  An additional 21 states have enacted laws that allow for self-defense within one's home (called Castle Doctrines).  However, each state has implemented and applied the Stand Your Ground laws differently, and it is the interpretation and application of the Stand Your Ground Law in the Zimmerman and Dunn cases, as well as the Marissa Alexander case, that has heightened the urgency for discussion and action. 
With that information in hand, our ALA's Executive Committee and BCALA's Executive Board decided that the best way to respond to the Florida situation is by turning it into an opportunity to educate, build awareness, and advocate for equitable treatment, inclusion, and respect for diversity. We have agreed on the following actions:
  • Town Hall discussions of racial diversity and inclusion in our profession, association, and communities.
    • Major topic of Membership Meeting at 2014 ALA Annual Conference in Las Vegas.
    • Topic of discussion during Virtual Membership Meeting on June 5, 2014.
  • Support for conversations and actions at the state level facilitated by state library associations or other organizations within the states.
  • Formation of a Special Presidential Task Force involving members of the ethnic affiliates and ALA to (1) develop programs and other opportunities for members to learn about and engage in the issue, (2) build strong advocacy and awareness while at the Orlando conference, and (3) develop communications directed toward the public.  The Task Force will be formed immediately.  The goal is to use the Orlando conference platform to provoke a national dialogue. 
  • Collaboration with local Black and Hispanic/Latino community members and organizations in Orlando to determine the best ways for ALA members to be supportive of them.  This will include compilation of a list of African-American and Hispanic/Latino businesses in Orlando for ALA members to patronize.
  • Outreach to national organizations with vested interest in the Stand Your Ground laws to build alliances and collaborative efforts in advocacy and public awareness (e.g., NAACP, La Raza, Urban League).
Most important to all the ethnic caucuses and ALA is the public and honest conversation that will be generated by our actions.  We are committed to building more diversity and inclusion among our members, the field of librarianship, and our communities.  We invite all members of AILA, APALA, BCALA, CALA, REFORMA, and ALA to engage with us in moving toward a more just society. 
With respect,
Barbara Stripling
President
ALA
(American Library Association) 
Jerome Offord, Jr.
President
BCALA, Inc.
(Black Caucus of the American Library Association) 
Heather Devine
President
AILA
(American Indian Library Association) 
Eugenia Beh
President
APALA
(Asian Pacific American Librarians Association) 
Lisa Zhao
President
CALA
(Chinese American Librarians Association) 
Isabel Espinal
President
REFORMA
(The National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking)
See that call for "diversity"?  "We are committed to building more diversity"?  What, ALA does not already have diversity?  For example, it doesn't already promote Islam in hundreds or thousands of libraries nationwide?  Of course it does.

By "diversity" ALA means uniformity.  They do not mean diversity.  If they did, they would not work with the racist or supremacist organization "La Raza" (The Race, like there's only one).  If they did, ALA would stop making it a regular practice to support basically all libraries blocking collections from containing materials on exgays, or ALA would stop libraries from discriminating against Christians and written materials having a Christian slant.  If they were really interested in diversity or "inclusion" ALA would not exclude librarians who speak out about sexual harassment that results from unfiltered computers.  Etc.

No it's not diversity ALA wants, it's uniformity.  It's progressive political activity, using the name "American Library Association" as cover.


NOTE ADDED 27 MARCH 2014:

NBA basketball star Kobe Bryant catches hell for saying its wrong to make knee jerk reactions to jump to one politically correct view on Trayvon Martin:
I won't react to something just because I'm supposed to, because I'm an African-American," he said.  "That argument doesn't make any sense to me.  So we want to advance as a society and a culture, but, say, if something happens to an African-American we immediately come to his defense?  Yet you want to talk about how far we've progressed as a society?  Well, we've progressed as a society, then don't jump to somebody's defense just because they're African-American.  You sit and you listen to the facts just like you would in any other situation, right? So I won't assert myself."
The American Library Association, now tossing aside pretense of being a library association, is doing just that and making it the centerpiece of ALA' efforts.  Not porn in libraries harming children, not sexually harassed librarians, not the massive fraud in the CIPA E-rate program, but Trayvon Martin, stand your ground laws, "diversity," and other progressive causes having nothing to do with librarianship.

I'll list a few stories here, and I hope the few remaining librarians interested in librarianship and willing to speak up can wrest control from the many progressives driving the ALA:


NOTE ADDED 14 OCTOBER 2014:

Today ALA made public an announcement of how it is continuing to community organize its political activity having nothing to do with librarianship.  In the case below, it's mainly opposition to Stand Your Ground laws.

The issues of sexual harassment are roiling the librarian community now, thanks to #TeamHarpy, yet political goals trump that as the more serious, coordinated effort is put into non-library issues like Stand Your Ground instead of sexual harassment of librarians:

[alacoun] update from the ALA Task Force on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Garnar, Martin Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 2:51 PM
To: "ALA Council (alacoun@ala.org)"
Dear colleagues, 

ALA’s Task Force for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, co-chaired by Martin Garnar and Trevor A. Dawes, has begun its work to ensure committed and sustained attention to equity, inclusion, and diversity issues within ALA, in the profession, and in our communities.  The Task Force was formed earlier in 2014 when members of the Black Caucus (BCALA) raised serious concerns about the scheduling of ALA’s 2016 Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida, a state where the implementation of Florida’s Stand Your Ground law has been critically flawed. 

After some discussion with several concerned members, the ALA and the affiliated Ethnic Caucuses issued a joint statement, available at http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blog/joint-statement-presidents-ethnic-caucuses-ala-aila-apala-bcala-cala-reforma-and-american.   In the joint statement, we shared our concern about the reasons there was a call to change the conference location; affirmed our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion; and recognized that moving the conference at that point was not possible.

Task Force members have heard that there is still some concern being expressed about the fact that the American Library Association will hold its 2016 annual conference in Orlando, FL.  We believe that moving forward with the conference in Orlando presents us with opportunities to engage with the communities in Florida in ways clearly not possible if we are not there.   The Task Force will be developing plans for the association not only to address actions at the 2016 conference, but also to plan more generally for how we can be a more inclusive association and profession.

The Task Force members will be reaching out to ALA members and non-members in the coming months to gather information and feedback and we all hope you will share your thoughts.  The first piece where we would appreciate your feedback is to the definitions of equity, diversity, and inclusion that will frame our work.  The definitions are below and have been posted to ALA Connect for public comment (http://connect.ala.org/node/229669).   You are, of course, welcome to contact the task force members (http://www.ala.org/groups/node/4471) at any time if you have questions or concerns.

Preface to the definitions:

In framing the definitions of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for our work as a task force, wanting to change the world by and beyond the Annual 2016 Conference, and realizing we *may* fall short of that  goal, we offer the following definitions  for consideration. We have decided to maintain a fairly global perspective in these definitions, i.e. not to attempt an exhaustive list of descriptors or qualities of disenfranchised groups comprising ALA membership and by extension our various stakeholders and patron populations. We are striving for social justice for *All* - and with these definitions desire to achieve a larger rather than smaller common and inclusive denominator.

Equity

Equity is not the same as formal equality. Formal equality implies sameness. Equity, on the other hand, assumes difference and takes difference into account to ensure a fair process and, ultimately, a fair (or equitable) outcome. Equity recognizes that some groups were (and are) disadvantaged in accessing educational and employment opportunities and are, therefore, underrepresented or marginalized in many organizations and institutions. The effects of that exclusion often linger systemically within organizational policies, practices and procedures. Equity, therefore, means increasing diversity by ameliorating conditions of disadvantaged groups. . 
(Adapted from University of British Columbia: http://diversity.ubc.ca/valuing-difference/equity-and-diversity-%E2%80%93-definitions-and-philosophy/)

The Task Force believes that everyone deserves equitable rights and opportunities.  Our goal is to create a just and equitable Association, profession, and society where everyone has access to social power, resources, and physical and psychological safety.
(Adapted from ALA Office for Diversity “Strategic Planning for Diversity”: http://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/workplace/diversityplanning , and National Association of Social Workers:http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/standards/cultural_competence.asp)

Diversity

Diversity can be defined as the sum of the ways that people are both alike and different.  Visible diversity is generally those things we cannot change and are external.  However, diversity goes beyond this to what we call ‘invisible’ diversity.  Invisible diversity includes those attributes that are not readily seen. So, when we recognize, value, and embrace diversity, we are recognizing, valuing, and embracing the uniqueness of each individual. 

The Task Force has chosen to define “diversity” in all its complexity in order to recognize and honor the uniqueness of each ALA member, all members of our profession, and our very diverse communities.  The Task Force also agrees with the National Education Association that, “While diversity itself is not a value-laden term, the way that people react to diversity is driven by values, attitudes, beliefs, and so on.  Full acceptance of diversity is a major principle of social justice.” 
(Adapted from National Education Association): http://www.nea.org/tools/diversity-toolkit-introduction.html

Inclusion

Inclusion means an environment in which all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully; are valued for their distinctive skills, experiences, and perspectives; have equal access to resources and opportunities; and can contribute fully to the organization’s success.  
(Adapted from Society for Human Resources Management http://www.shrm.org/diversity  and Hewlett Packard: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/hp-information/about-hp/diversity/meaning.html)

The Task Force believes that, to be inclusive, our association, profession, and society must recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every member of the community; involve and empower all members to participate and contribute; promote and sustain a sense of belonging; and value and practice respect for the talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of living of all members.
(Adapted from Ferris State University: http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/administration/president/DiversityOffice/Definitions.htm)

Again, we welcome your comments on the definitions and any questions you may have for the task force.

Sincerely,

Martin Garnar and Trevor A. Dawes

---
Martin Garnar
Reference Services Librarian and Professor of Library Science
Dayton Memorial Library, Regis University -- www.regis.edu/library
3333 Regis Blvd., Mail Stop D-20
Denver, CO 80221


On Twitter:  @ALALibrary @BCALA_Inc @FLGovScott @LibraryJournal @TweetFLAlibrary #libchat #2A #syg #StandYourGround

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Location: Tallahassee, FL, USA

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Fried Librarian Giblets Awakens ALA Council to Take On Yet Another Non-Library Issue

Always willing to dive into non-library issues, the American Library Association [ALA] is now gathering steam to oppose the Transportation Security Administration's latest efforts to ensure transportation security.  The excuse being used is a familiar one, that library patrons are losing their freedoms.  Sure, pilots are complaining, but an association of librarians?  For example, see: "Pilot Rebellion: Pilots Refusing to Use Full Body Scanners or Submit to Patdown; One Pilot Union compares Patdown to 'Sexual Molestation,'" by Sharyn Alfonsi and Jessica Hopper, ABC News, 9 November 2010.

The remainder of this post will be actual emails from ALA Council members, but I'll remove email addresses and telephone numbers.  Watch as the idea develops, with people opposed and in favor of the ALA making this one of its issues.  As you read, you'll see why I entitled this post, "Fried Librarian Giblets Awakens ALA Council to Take On Yet Another Non-Library Issue."  This is my favorite quote: "Try to at least have some reality in your public utterances as a member of Council."  I wonder why inappropriate books for children and library fraud and crime are not ALA Council issues, but fried giblets is:


==========
Hi Council,

I’m writing because I received this in my email box and was wondering what ALA’s stance is on this since it does concern an ALA member.  It’s something I hadn’t thought about until I received the following note:

So, a question for you in your ALA councilor capacity.

I'm looking into Midwinter travel plans and am basically entirely freaked out that I have to choose between having a naked photo taken of me or being groped in order to fly to Midwinter.  (Or maybe circumventing this by expensive, time-consuming travel plans involving a less convenient airport? Maybe.)  I'm considering writing a blog post, or series of them, collecting information on backscatter machines, TSA newly-intrusive patdowns, your rights and lack thereof, et cetera.  Of course this has me convinced that I will end up on some kind of terrorist watch list for exercising my right to free speech, but I'm thinking I kind of have to suck that up because freedom isn't all that meaningful unless we're willing to someday take a stand on it.

What I'm wondering is: given its longstanding emphasis on privacy, does ALA have a stance on these issues?  And given its value of intellectual freedom, are they going to have my back if I face repercussions for speaking out?

Any good answers from council?

Patrick Sweeney
Branch Manager
East Palo Alto Library
San Mateo County Library
2415 University Avenue
East Palo Alto, CA 94303

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.  Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.
-Groucho Marx

==========
Could someone interpret this question for me in specific terms of the airport being referenced?  Does the San Diego airport have a “reputation” for more intrusive TSA personnel? 

SGB
==========
This has been a topic of concern recently on the GLBTRT list, especially in terms of the implications for transgender members who will travel to ALA functions.  I would be glad to hear from this list and share that back with the RT.

Peter
==========
I don’t think that it is airport specific, rather concern over air travel in general. Most major airports have begun requiring the new x-ray technology, with the option of a really, really thorough frisking if you refuse the x-ray thingy. The frisking leaves no part of one’s body untouched – no hiding anything in folds or creases of skin, etc..  Actually pretty creepy.

I’m not sure it’s an ALA issue, but is sure is a civil liberties issue.

Christopher Bowen
Councilor at Large
==========
I flew the last two weekends through the following airports: New Orleans, Minneapolis, Hartford (CT), Detroit, Houston (Hobby), and Las Vegas. In none of those did I see anything different than what has been in place for some time. I did have my laptop (the computer, not the case) chosen for a random swipe once.

Having said that, I have not had problems flying (bearded or not) in spite of the very public stands which I took against many aspects of the USA PATRIOT ACT in its early days. My then Congressman even invited me to participate in a panel which included the U S Attorney for the area, and was held less than 60 miles from New York City.

As an Executive Board Member, a number of us and key ALA staff requested our records under the FOIA in late 2005 (if I remember correctly). The message which *I* received was that there was no file on me.

Now, I admit to being less vocal lately (lots of reasons), and as much as I hate some of the implications of the very intrusive nature of the new security, I think it is all for show, does nothing to really improve our safety, and in fact may place us in more danger than ever. (Actually...I feel a blog post coming on...comparing the feeling of safety under TSA to the safety from porn that some filtering advocates believe!)

Every time I take off my shoes, I am more at risk to either slip on the floor and crack my head open and/or catch a foot fungus than I have higher security from a terrorist.

The sad bottom line news, these very measures have stripped our freedoms and means that the terrorists have won!

Michael Golrick
ALA Councilor-at-Large 2006-2009, 2009-2012
[ALA Exec Board member 2003-2006]

==========
Hi Council,

Thanks, I’ve received a number of varying responses to this email.  Let me clarify, I am not looking for Council to take this issue up (I would REALLY prefer we didn’t) but, as a new councilor, I didn’t want to speak on behalf of council and answer the member’s questions incorrectly that they ask at the bottom of their email which are:

“What I'm wondering is: given its longstanding emphasis on privacy, does ALA have a stance on these issues?  And given its value of intellectual freedom, are they going to have my back if I face repercussions for speaking out?”

Really, I’m just looking for some appropriate answers for this member.  Maybe something to the effect of;

While we are concerned for our member’s safety and privacy, this particular issue is more concerning for civil liberties than for libraries.  A number of organizations who specialize in civil liberties/rights violations have organized to make a statement in regard to body scanners, however this particular issue is outside the scope of ALA.

Let me know your thoughts.  I don’t have a good response as to whether or not we are going to have their back if there are repercussions for speaking out or what “having their back” would entail.
==========
I must have been very lucky so far--have done a lot of traveling and have never been forced to make a decision between being zapped or being groped.  It appears, from the posts here and from some Googling I've just done, that my luck may be running out.

My choice will be to "opt out"* of the scanning; I'm more concerned about the health issues of exposure to x-rays than I am concerned about being patted down.  Or, at least that's what I'm saying today.

I agree with Christopher when he says, "I'm not sure it's an ALA issue, but is sure is a civil liberties issue."

SGB

*Apparently, one must use this exact phrase in order to avoid the scanning.==========
I am not sure that we have an exact answer to the question at this time.  ALA often takes a position on civil liberties issues.  These issues do affect library staff and patrons so it is good when we take positions on these kinds of issues.  In this case there is a close connection since we do use airports and airlines to attend conferences.  We often join with other groups on these kinds of issues.
At the moment there is not really a definitive position but there could be if a resolution on this issue is written and brought before ALA Council for a vote.
--
Diedre Conkling
Lincoln County Library District
P.O. Box 2027
Newport, OR  97365
==========
Whoa Mr. Berry! I understand why the authorities have instituted these methods, I’m just not sure that a random inspection under one’s breasts or between one’s buttocks really makes flying significantly safer.

Christopher Bowen
Councilor at Large

From: John Berry
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 12:53 PM
To: Christopher F. Bowen
Subject: Re: [alacoun] RE: RE: Privacy Concern from an ALA member

Christopher,  No, it's not a civil liberties issue, it is a public safety issue.

You can blame the guys who fly airplanes into building, behead reporters and put bombs in their underwear and in their tennis shoes.

Basically, you or those who are worried about this, can go through what every other air traveler goes through, or ride the train or bus, or stay home.

Try to at least have some reality in your public utterances as a member of Council.   Best, John D. Berry, U.C. Berkeley
==========
I am glad we are having this conversation.  As a librarian and a citizen I am very concerned about these new TSA procedures.  For health reasons I too do not want to use the full body scanners and so will be force to endure being "patted down" by TSA.  I also believe this is a privacy issue and a civil liberties issue.  There may come a time I decide not to attend conferences I have to fly to.   I think we should as a professional organization speak out against these invasive practices.
Monika Antonelli
ALA Councilor at Large==========
See these two brief articles on Budget Travel magazine’s site:

http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2010/11/whats_new_in_airport_security.html

http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2009/05/activists_are_calling_to_ban_w.html

They provide additional information about the body scanners and recent TSA rules.

Jim Rettig
University Librarian
Boatwright Memorial Library
University of Richmond
Richmond, VA  23173
2008-2009 President of the American Library Association
==========
I am posting this to the Council list at the request of [name elided.]

      Jim Rettig


From: [Name elided.]
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 4:48 PM
To: Rettig, Jim
Subject: Re: [alacoun] TSA information

Jim,

I still lurk on the Council list, and all this discussion about privacy issues with the new scanners seeing "everything" makes me wonder about our viewing actors and actresses wearing skimpy beachwear on television shows, or women who participated in the wet tee shirt contests as a youth but are now grandmothers, or any male in a spandex swim suit. Are they among the 1% who refuse a full body screening. Most of us don't mind it, and for this antique, overweight, grandmother, not having to wait for a shout to all, "female assist needed!" causing people to look at me, who when she finally arrives asks, "do you have someone to get your carry on luggage?" watching helplessly while she piles all the shoes, purse and other stuff on top my laptop (because that's easier) even though I ask her not to do that, sitting down, "Have you ever done this before?" holding up one foot, then the other, standing up to be waned and patted each time my metal replacement knee buzzes, makes my opinion of that full body scan in 3 seconds heavenly.

Would you mind posting this alternate opinion.

[Name elided.]

==========

NOTE ADDED 17 NOVEMBER 2010:

The Library Journal has discussed and linked to this blog post resulting in a spate of hits.  See "ALA in the Airport?," by Annoyed Librarian, Library Journal, 15 November 2010.  She pointed out, "The arguments have gotten stranger since Safe Libraries Guy blogged about this last Wednesday."  Go see what she says as she is one of the top librarian bloggers.

And another librarian "got a chuckle out of the title of this blog--Fried librarian giblets."  See "Fried Librarian Giblets Awakens ALA Council to Take On Yet Another Non-Library Issue," by Norma, Collecting My Thoughts, 10 November 2010.  A commenter there points out you can "Check the Council List Archives for the Email Subjct line '[alacoun] Privacy Concern from an ALA member.'"

.
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