As our summer speeds by, I want to send you a "think-about" message for our next year together. I have looked forward to being Chair of the RMRT since I was elected, but knew I needed to wrap up my 20 years on ALA Council (with a couple years off when I was AASL President) to really take advantage of all that the Round Table offers, Our members are people whose dedication to libraries continues after retirement through both RMRT in-person activities at ALA conference and virtual activities that take advantage of technology connections. I appreciate very much the people who make those activities happen. I am eager to increase RMRT power by reactivating the RMRT Advocacy Committee that will be chaired by RMRT member Dorcas Hand. We are in a great position to make a difference nationally and in our own areas.
I am sort of retired. My own career in "Libraryland" actually continues with my work as an online adjunct instructor at Syracuse University's iSchool, teaching Literacy through School Libraries, a course designed by RMRT member Barbara Stripling, that typically has more than half the class not in the school library program. Thus, I talk about literacy with people in all areas of librarianship-and around the world because the course is online. Much of my personal ALA work for the last eight years or so has been as a part of the ALA Committee on Library Advocacy Ecosystem Subcommittee, and I am a co-author of the 2024 ALA book Strengthening Library Ecosystems: Collaborate with Advocacy and Impact with Dorcas, Michelle Robertson, and Eryn Duffee. I am also a co-author with RMRT member Susan D. Ballard of the 2024 AASL/ALA book Elevating the School Library: Building Positive Perceptions through Brand Behavior. Both of these books include working with your communities to make a difference. Watch for our presentations at a conference near you this Fall!
I cheered when I saw that RMRT and United for Libraries collaborated for a powerful program at ALA in Philadelphia, Retired Librarians as Changeagents with Dorcas, Barbara, Janice Welburn, and United's Deborah Doyle. Of course, it was scheduled during Council.l so I could not attend. But I heard the enthusiasm from lucky people who could. That, my friends, is my theme for this year's work for our roundtable, exploring ways for us to play a collective role by providing members with tools and ideas for action. Here is a survey link about the revitalized advocacy committee. Please fill it out by August 21 so that we can move forward quickly.
Let's harness the experience and expertise we all have to make a difference for libraries facing so many issues while they work diligently for our communities. Let's also cherish and nourish our RMRT traditions, increasing our effectiveness. Everyone is welcome to join all of our activities. RMRT on Connect is key to information from and about RMRT.
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Sara Kelly Johns
ALA RMRT and Publications Committee Chair
ALA COLA Ecosystem Subcommittee Member
AASL President, 2007-08
Instructor, Syracuse University iSchool
skjohns@gmail.com------------------------------