Libraries and the world are moving into new patterns of communications. Hierarchies are flattening, more people are creating and sharing ideas than ever before.

ALA is responding to these changes, slowly. The Association needs voices pushing for innovation and improvement. We also need people willing to make the effort to experiment and push us to run in a "constant beta" state. The life of an association is full of ambiguity, the more nimble we, the members, are, the better we can respond to events both within and outside our control.

Looking back in the history of ALA, in the 1960s & 1970s there was a grassroots, progressive effort to bring The Association up to date with the edge of library practices. Did you know that ALA participated in the Seattle World's Fair in 1962? Did you know the exhibit focussed on computers and computing in libraries? This and following efforts led to the creation of LITA.
(http://www.lita.org/ala/lita/aboutlita/org/1st25years.cfm)
We stand at a similar cusp today; instead of introducing library computing to ALA, our cusp is about introducing collaborative tools for the creation and advancement of ideas and social engagement.

Many libraries engage their communities via synchronous and asynchronous, online, and virtual means. Patrons/Users/Customers no longer need to come to the library to use all library services. Why should a library association require its members to be physically present?

I'm willing to be a voice for moving ALA practices more in line with today's library practices. I'm willing to listen to my fellow members, and potential members; to share, mashup, and explore today's and tomorrow's communications channels; to improve methods of participation in ALA.

The Association needs more engaged members, I'd like to provide suggestions, discussion, and direction in the quest to improve ALA participation venues and channels.

May I please have your vote?

Thank you. (read less)

Libraries and the world are moving into new patterns of communications. Hierarchies are flattening, more people are creating and sharing ideas than ever before.

ALA is responding to these changes, slowly. The Association needs voices pushing for innovation and improvement. We also need people willing to make the effort to experiment and push us to run in a "constant beta" state. The life of an association is full of ambiguity, the more nimble we, the members, are, the better we can respond... (read more)