I would like to propose a new task force within SRRT -- the Library Issues and Advocacy Task Force. There's been a lot of talk about SRRT's focus of late -- I think it's time to quit talking and start doing! I've set up this discussion forum as an area to discuss the following --
- Level of interest in such a task force -- would you join and be willing to work on issues in such a task force? My hope would be that SRRT members could be actively involved in this task force whether or not they can attend face-to-face meetings. For those who are able to attend ALA Mid-Winter in Boston, let's get together at the All Task Force meeting and do some brainstorming! Any discussion there can be reported back to all who may be interested via ALA Connect and/or other means.
- What issues would you most be interested in working on? Ones that spring to my mind are: Closings and proposed closings of state libraries. Budget cuts in tough economic times adversely affecting libraries. Library salaries and labor issues. Raising general public awareness of "worth" of libraries in the public sphere.
- What other groups inside and outside of ALA can we partner with on such issues? There are groups working on these issues already, but I think that SRRT should have a voice in these matters as well.
- How could we most effectively work on these issues? Lobbying? Letter writing campaigns? Creating educational tools? Writing resolutions?
- What is the most effective means of communication for this proposed task force? Listserv? Wiki? ALA Connect? Other?
Please share your own thoughts and ideas!