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Two draft resolutions on the "Illegal aliens" LCSH

  • 1.  Two draft resolutions on the "Illegal aliens" LCSH

    Posted Jun 21, 2021 02:51 PM
    Hello All,

    I hope this email finds you well! I'm writing today because of two draft resolutions I received from members of SALALM and REFORMA. We hope these resolutions will go before ALA Council at this year's meeting. We invite any comments or questions.

    Resolution 1: Resolution on Replacing the Library of Congress Subject Heading Illegal Aliens Without Further Delay: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ETPJm13OPwt_HpoLFwewP59Hs9ZJoyIqdBQhaJUTxLA/edit?usp=sharing. Click or tap if you trust this link." data-linkindex="0" style="margin: 0; color: #1155CC">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ETPJm13OPwt_HpoLFwewP59Hs9ZJoyIqdBQhaJUTxLA/edit?usp=sharing


    Resolution 2: Resolution on Greater Transparency in Library of Congress Subject Headings:

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KpIcyMYU8oWiqsmqfyHITA-EFYgAP3mbirKG1K_7AOc/edit?usp=sharing. Click or tap if you trust this link." data-linkindex="1" style="margin: 0; color: #1155CC">https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jsZOsQ4oyGzgrGFrbTmltFVZAVZ76swz73LYbd5Lt-Q/edit?usp=sharing


    We would rejoice if the Library of Congress announced a change to the LCSH in advance of or during the Annual meeting, in which case we would no longer put forward Resolution 1. However, if this does not happen, we want to be ready with this. As for Resolution 2, the issue around this LCSH has exposed problems with the subject heading process, so this will likely be put forward regardless of any surprise announcement.


    Saludos, RCD

    ---
    Roberto C. Delgadillo, MLIS, PhD (History)
    Student Services Librarian/Arts & Humanities
    University Library
    100 North West Quad
    University of California, Davis
    Davis, CA 95616
    Phone: 530-219-6688
    Email: rdelgadillo@ucdavis.edu
    I am working remotely, but available to assist you with your research needs.

    We should take a moment to acknowledge the land on which UC Davis physically sits. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people. Today, there are three federally recognized Patwin tribes: Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. Indigenous histories and perspectives inform my work.


  • 2.  RE: Two draft resolutions on the "Illegal aliens" LCSH

    Posted Jun 21, 2021 05:34 PM
    Edited by John DeSantis Jun 22, 2021 05:49 PM
    Thanks, Roberto-- I was aware that these resolutions were in the works.  Do we have a mover and seconder for them?  My understanding is that they were drafted by ALA members and would need to be moved and seconded by councilors before they can go to the Resolutions Committee.
      John

    ------------------------------
    John DeSantis
    Cataloging & Metadata Services Librarian
    Dartmouth College
    He/Him/His
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Two draft resolutions on the "Illegal aliens" LCSH

    Posted Jun 21, 2021 06:25 PM

    Dear Roberto, John, Et. Al., because we're  heading into the Annual meeting/conference there is a Virtual Membership Meeting (Sunday, June 27 @1:30PM Central) for which ALA members can move and second resolutions, so the movers do not necessarily need to be ALA Councilors unless the resolutions are slated for debate in Council only. The Resolutions Committee looks forward to receiving these or any other resolutions  prior to the 48 hour deadline. Feel free to email us at alaresolutions@ala.org with any questions.

     

    Humbly yours, Mike Marlin, ALA Resolutions Committee Chair

     

    Mike L.  Marlin

    Director, California Braille and Talking Book Library

    ALA Councilor at Large

    Sacramento, CA

    Email: mmarlin33.3@gmail.com

    Mobile: (916) 243-9778

     






  • 4.  RE: Two draft resolutions on the "Illegal aliens" LCSH

    Posted Jun 21, 2021 06:39 PM
    Thank you Roberto for bringing this foward. 

    Oscar Baeza 
    ALA Councilor at large
    REFORMA President 2020-2021



    Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy Phone.





  • 5.  RE: Two draft resolutions on the "Illegal aliens" LCSH

    Posted Jun 21, 2021 08:27 PM
    You're very welcome!

    -
    Roberto C. Delgadillo, MLIS, PhD (History)
    Student Services Librarian
    University Library
    100 North West Quad
    University of California, Davis
    Davis, CA 95616
    Phone: 530-219-6688
    Liaison Responsibilities: Chicanx Studies, Film and Media Studies, English Language and Literature, Latin American Studies, Military Science, Native American Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Religious Studies, Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Literatures
    ORCID ID: orcid.org/0000-0003-4731-6232





  • 6.  RE: Two draft resolutions on the "Illegal aliens" LCSH

    Posted Jun 22, 2021 07:27 AM

    Roberto, thank you for presenting these resolutions.  As one of those consortia who have adopted local practices to begin addressing this issue we look forward to LC taking action.  Our process was longer than it would have been had LC taken action already.

    Has your resolution been reviewed/supported by any other units within ALA?

    Eileen

    NJLA Chapter Councilor to the ALA  27 Mayfield Ave. Edison, NJ 08837 (732) 750-2525 ext. 103 (732) 225-0910 (fax) empalmer@lmxac.org
    On 6/21/2021 3:50 PM, Roberto Delgadillo via ALA Connect wrote:
    0100017a30203bee-5539e0bf-83fe-4fe3-8e29-1102762aa5a3-000000@email.amazonses.com">
    Hello All, I hope this email finds you well! I'm writing today because of two draft resolutions I received from members of SALALM and... -posted to the "ALA Council" community
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    Jun 21, 2021 2:51 PM
    Roberto Delgadillo
    Hello All,

    I hope this email finds you well! I'm writing today because of two draft resolutions I received from members of SALALM and REFORMA. We hope these resolutions will go before ALA Council at this year's meeting. We invite any comments or questions.

    Resolution 1: Resolution on Replacing the Library of Congress Subject Heading Illegal Aliens Without Further Delay: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ETPJm13OPwt_HpoLFwewP59Hs9ZJoyIqdBQhaJUTxLA/edit?usp=sharing


    Resolution 2: Resolution on Greater Transparency in Library of Congress Subject Headings:

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jsZOsQ4oyGzgrGFrbTmltFVZAVZ76swz73LYbd5Lt-Q/edit?usp=sharing


    We would rejoice if the Library of Congress announced a change to the LCSH in advance of or during the Annual meeting, in which case we would no longer put forward Resolution 1. However, if this does not happen, we want to be ready with this. As for Resolution 2, the issue around this LCSH has exposed problems with the subject heading process, so this will likely be put forward regardless of any surprise announcement.


    Saludos, RCD

    ---
    Roberto C. Delgadillo, MLIS, PhD (History)
    Student Services Librarian/Arts & Humanities
    University Library
    100 North West Quad
    University of California, Davis
    Davis, CA 95616
    Phone: 530-219-6688
    Email: rdelgadillo@ucdavis.edu
    I am working remotely, but available to assist you with your research needs.

    We should take a moment to acknowledge the land on which UC Davis physically sits. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people. Today, there are three federally recognized Patwin tribes: Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. Indigenous histories and perspectives inform my work.
      Forward  



     
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  • 7.  RE: Two draft resolutions on the "Illegal aliens" LCSH

    Posted Jun 22, 2021 11:51 AM
    Dear Eileen,

    I was placed in contact with Violet Fox regarding your query. She in turn wrote back:


    "I am a member of SAC (the Subject Analysis Committee), and SAC is still discussing this resolution. As of right now, I've heard two comments from members who support the resolutions, while one person (the chair, Brian Stearns), does not support the first resolution (the one about "Replacing" this heading), but does support the second (about the LCSH revision process). There has not been a vote yet, and most members have not yet weighed in. I will suggest to SAC members later today to propose a vote to see whether SAC will endorse the resolutions.

    We have shared the resolutions with the Core councilor as well as Council members who are on the Core Board of Directors. We have heard positive feedback from the Core representatives we have shared the resolutions with, but do not know whether Core will endorse them or not.

    Please feel free to share this info with the Council list! Let me know if you have any questions. I am a member of SAC (the Subject Analysis Committee), and SAC is still discussing this resolution. As of right now, I've heard two comments from members who support the resolutions, while one person (the chair, Brian Stearns), does not support the first resolution (the one about "Replacing" this heading), but does support the second (about the LCSH revision process). There has not been a vote yet, and most members have not yet weighed in. I will suggest to SAC members later today to propose a vote to see whether SAC will endorse the resolutions.

    We have shared the resolutions with the Core councilor as well as Council members who are on the Core Board of Directors. We have heard positive feedback from the Core representatives we have shared the resolutions with, but do not know whether Core will endorse them or not.

    Please feel free to share this info with the Council list! Let me know if you have any questions.


    Thanks,
    Violet"


    ---
    Roberto C. Delgadillo, MLIS, PhD (History)
    Student Services Librarian/Arts & Humanities
    University Library
    100 North West Quad
    University of California, Davis
    Davis, CA 95616
    Phone: 530-219-6688
    Email: rdelgadillo@ucdavis.edu
    I am working remotely, but available to assist you with your research needs.

    We should take a moment to acknowledge the land on which UC Davis physically sits. For thousands of years, this land has been the home of Patwin people. Today, there are three federally recognized Patwin tribes: Cachil DeHe Band of Wintun Indians of the Colusa Indian Community, Kletsel Dehe Wintun Nation, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. Indigenous histories and perspectives inform my work.





  • 8.  RE: Two draft resolutions on the "Illegal aliens" LCSH

    Posted Jun 22, 2021 12:07 PM
    Edited by John DeSantis Jun 22, 2021 07:00 PM
    Eileen, Roberto, et al.
       At this point, since the drafters of the resolutions seem determined to move forward with bringing them to Council, I think it's important to share that the resolutions are actually problematic in the total scheme of things, however well intentioned they may be.  At least two councilors who are experienced catalog librarians (I being one of them) are opposed to these resolutions.  The second resolution is replete with assumptions, inaccuracies, and opinions, rather than facts.  I hope that they can be discussed in depth at a Council Forum before they are actually moved on the Council floor.
       ALA's Public Policy and Advocacy Office has been working directly with LC and with congressional staff on this issue, and there is a deep concern that passing these resolutions could disrupt the good work that they have been doing and will continue to do.

    John DeSantis
    Councilor-at-large

    ------------------------------
    John DeSantis
    Cataloging & Metadata Services Librarian
    Dartmouth College
    He/Him/His
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Two draft resolutions on the "Illegal aliens" LCSH

    Posted Jun 22, 2021 01:54 PM
    John and Roberto, thank you both for your responses to my question.  I look forward to the debate on this resolution.  I appreciate the points on both sides of this issue and look forward to better understanding each position.  Many of the librarians I represent are anxious to move forward on changes to offensive terminology and want leadership from LC and ALA to support so doing. It's been a long 5 years and yet there are clearly many issues to consider.  Thank you for the education thus far, I look forward to the continued discussion. 

    Eileen
    --  
    Eileen M. Palmer
    Executive Director
    Libraries of Middlesex Automation Consortium
    NJLA Chapter Councilor to the ALA

    27 Mayfield Ave.
    Edison, NJ 08837
    (732) 750-2525 ext. 103
    (732) 225-0910 (fax)
    empalmer@lmxac.org





  • 10.  RE: Two draft resolutions on the "Illegal aliens" LCSH

    Posted Jun 22, 2021 03:52 PM
    Hi, all. As Core President-Elect, I want to interject that Division leadership are currently reviewing these resolutions and have not had the opportunity to formally discuss them, and it is premature to assert a Core position. I am grateful to Core leaders including Violet Fox, John DeSantis, and Brian Stearns among others who are helping us all consider how we address systemic bias, racism, and injustice in description

    As evidenced by past support for the previous resolutions and our mission, Core stands with all who work to address long-standing issues of oppression, racism, and bias in libraries generally and in description and collections specifically. We are all eager for member input and discussion on this topic!  

    In my assessment, it is important that we as a profession not avoid addressing these issues, and so I personally as a member am grateful to have the resolutions as a reminder that we must make progress and practice accountability. 








  • 11.  RE: Two draft resolutions on the "Illegal aliens" LCSH

    Posted Jun 26, 2021 12:46 PM
    Hello All, 

    For your background information, there are two bills on U.S. Citizenship Act that have been introduced to  both the House and Senate. 
    These bills will replace the term alien with noncitizen in the immigration statutes and addresses other related issues.
    (Congress.gov. "H.R.1177 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): U.S. Citizenship Act." April 28, 2021. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1177, and 
    Congress.gov. "S.348 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): U.S. Citizenship Act." February 22, 2021. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/348 )
    I believe that if these bills are passed into law, they will give LC a better chance to change the subject 'illegal aliens' and related ones. 

    At this time, as far as I can tell from the bills' websites, they have not yet been passed into law.
    Both were introduced and were referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship. 
    Given the political context we are in, this act may or may not be passed into law. 
    This is the political context/reality around these resolutions. 
    Best wishes, 
    Joy~


    ------------------------------
    Anchalee Panigabutra-Roberts
    Head of Cataloging
    University of Tennessee Libraries
    She/Her/Hers
    ------------------------------