IFRT Members Community (Open)

Pausing of ALA's Policy Corps initiative

As many of you may have heard during the ALA Annual Conference, the association is working on several initiatives to position our organization for the future, address budget deficits, and determine the best structure for the future. In the near term, there is reduced funding for staff, consultants, travel and related expenses. At the same time, Public Policy and Advocacy Deputy Director Larra Clark is moving from full- to part-time work at the association. As a result, PPA has made the difficult decision to pause the overall Policy Corps initiative. We are still solidifying next steps, but in the immediate term we will not be able to support travel for UABB presentations beyond ones that already have been proposed or accepted. We also will not be recruiting new Corps (or United Against Book Bans Cadre) members. 

We plan, however, to maintain our policy advocacy network so Corps members can stay connected with each other and support ALA advocacy priorities as much as they are able. PPA will archive founding documents for the initiative and continue to provide collateral, talking points, and related support for advocacy training and engagement. 

ALA is in a moment of transition, but also of opportunity to build a stronger foundation for the future. As we approach ALA's 150th anniversary, we have both the opportunity and responsibility to ensure our association is positioned for another 150 years of leadership in the library world. It is our goal to restore the Policy Corps in the future, and we appreciate your understanding that the pause in our activities and recruitment is meant to be temporary.

On behalf of Larra Clark