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  • 1.  Resolutions Committee Update: Resolution on Body Autonomy, Equity and ALA Conference Sites

    Posted Jun 25, 2022 09:35 AM
      |   view attached
    Greetings ALA Council,

    The attached Resolution on Body Autonomy, Equity and ALA Conference Sites was received more than 48 hours before the start of Council III and is shared here for awareness and preliminary discussion.

    -Aaron
    :-)'
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    Submitted on Saturday, June 25, 2022 - 00:37
    Submitted by anonymous user: 192.168.64.181
    Submitted values are:

    Date: Sat, 06/25/2022
    Resolution author(s): Tara Brady, Tom Twiss, April Sheppard, Al Kagan, Sherre Harrington, Mike Marlin, others!
    E-mail address: tarabrady@gmail.com
    1. Title of Resolution: Resolution on Body Autonomy, Equity and ALA Conference Sites
    1a. Resolution File: Attached
    2. ALA Units and/or Committees Consulted (if any): SRRT will be discussing further at our action council meeting Sat AM and will decide which committees to bring it to (not that any of them will have much time with it unfortunately) but as of right now it's brand new and hasn't made the rounds yet.
    3. Endorsements by ALA Units and/or Committees (if any): In principle by SRRT, as it was largely drafted at the all task force meeting Fri eve.
    4. Fiscal implications: Specify the resources needed to carry out the resolution's directive(s).: The association may lose access to cheaper venues if it chooses to continue to uphold its principles of refusing to hold conferences in places where people are not treated equitably; depending on timelines there may be cancellation fees
    5. List all parties to whom resolution should be sent:
    6. Impact on ALA Policies and Positions: Explain how the resolution supports ALA's Strategic Plan, its mission, and/or its core values.:
    6a) ALA general policy or viewpoint: If the resolution sets forth a general policy or an ALA viewpoint, describe.: Makes it an ALA policy to hold conferences only in states and cities that recognize the right to abortion and put no undue restriction on reproductive rights, healthcare decisions or bodily autonomy and
    6b) Change in existing policy: If this resolution necessitates a change in existing policy, state the policy number and the change.:
    6c) New policy: If this resolution establishes new policy, describe.:
    6d) Policy conflicts: If this resolution conflicts with existing policy, state provisions for resolving the conflict.:
    7. Initiating Committee or Unit (if any): SRRT
    8. Pertinent Background Information, e.g. bibliography, citations, supportive quotes, URLs, etc.: Prior similar resolutions: https://www.ala.org/rt/sites/ala.org.rt/files/content/SRRT/Resolutions/1977/1977_ERAandConferenceSites.pdf  https://www.ala.org/rt/sites/ala.org.rt/files/content/SRRT/Resolutions/1993/1993_ConferenceSiteContracts_FINAL.pdf
    9. Mover's Name: Tara Brady
    9a) Mover's Local Telephone Number: [redacted]
    10 Seconder's Name: Eileen Palmer
    10a) Seconder's Local Telephone Number: [redacted]


  • 2.  RE: Resolutions Committee Update: Resolution on Body Autonomy, Equity and ALA Conference Sites

    Posted Jun 25, 2022 09:44 AM
    Edited by Sonnet Ireland Jun 25, 2022 09:45 AM
    I am strongly, deeply, profoundly AGAINST this.  This unfairly punishes those of us in states that do not align with our personal viewpoints.  It also doesn't take into account that there may be sanctuary cities within those states.  New Orleans is my hometown and would be eliminated as a location for the conference because it is in a predominantly red state.  In my experience, there are many libraries in the state that will work on grants or even outright pay for the majority of their staff (sometimes all of the staff) to attend the ALA Conference or Midwinter when it is in New Orleans because of its proximity.  I am certain that our libraries are not the only ones to do this.  This means that nearly half of the states in the country would be eliminated as options... which means those who look forward to finally being able to go would never get the chance.

    It's also WAY too soon to do something this drastic.   You have to give people the chance to react to this news via the midterm elections.

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    Sonnet Ireland
    Library Director
    She/Her/Hers
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  • 3.  RE: Resolutions Committee Update: Resolution on Body Autonomy, Equity and ALA Conference Sites

    Posted Jun 25, 2022 09:52 AM
    To be clear, I am horrified about what has recently happened.  I would much rather see a resolution that announces the dedication of libraries to access of information.  That would remind library staff it is their duty to assist patrons in finding access to these services... and encourage libraries and library staff to support the right to bodily autonomy.  Something that deeply admonishes any library or library staff person that allows their personal beliefs (whatever they be) to dictate the answers they give their patrons when they seek this information.  Because, believe it or not, not everyone who works in a library has the same politics.  I have seen staff (even MLS-holders) advocate for censorship or limit the information they provide to a patron because of their personal beliefs.

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    Sonnet Ireland
    Library Director
    She/Her/Hers
    ------------------------------