Dear SRRT-AC,
Forgive the delay in getting these minutes out. The minutes are below and attached as a PDF. Also attached are documents referenced during the meeting.
Do let me know of any corrections needed.
All best,
Elaine
BEGIN
SRRT ACTION COUNCIL - DRAFT minutes 26 November 2025
Meeting began 1:04pm Eastern time
PRESENT: Al Kagan; Derek Wilmott Montoya; Elaine Harger; Hillary Pearson; Julie Winkelstein; Katharine Phenix; Kristina Shiroma; Laura Koltutsky; Mark Rosenzweig; Mark Hudson; Olivia Blake; Rachel Rosekind; Robert Holley; Rory Litwin; Tara Brady
AGENDA - MOTION to approve agenda: Rachel moved, Tara seconded - APPROVED
MINUTES - MOTION to approve minutes of September 24 AC meeting: Mark R. moved, Al seconded - APPROVED
NOTETAKER - MOTION to appoint Elaine as AC secretary for the upcoming year: Mark R. moved, Rachel seconded - APPROVED
TREASURERS REPORT - Derek Wilmott reports the 2024/25 fiscal year is completed. SRRT added $683.61 to short term savings or unrestricted endowment account. This allows flexibility to cover expenses in future. ALA is automatically establishing these accounts for round tables, keeping a small portion of surplus funds for savings/endowment.
Question: ALA takes SRRT funds and promises to give back, but that never happens, is there a document that clarifies for good what is happening now?
Reply: Documentation is in the archive of the Round Table Coordinating Assembly. [SEE attachments A and B downloaded from RTCA archive.]
Derek encourages SRRT to come up with a way to increase membership, donations, etc. Need fiscal responsibility. Some round tables want to spend to last penny, but important to have contingency funds. Tara added that SRRT's budget comes from member dues, and that ALA gets 30% of SRRT funds not spent - not of the total dues income.
DRAFT LETTER ON INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY - Julie reported that the draft letter on accessibility & inclusion came out of frustration that people are left out of ALA because of finances. People have no way, without lots of money, to be included in ALA. Rachel added that the letter amplifies discussions over the years among many groups with the same concerns. This is a huge systemic issue that excludes some from ALA. SRRT contributes financially to ALA, so we should be able to make the requests outlined in the letter.
Question: What action are you requesting now?
Reply: Want sign on from Action Council, then to take letter to other round tables, caucuses, affiliates, etc, so ALA can see that this concern is shared. We want feedback, sending to every part of ALA, EB, President, Exec Dir, people in power. We want a response.
Concern: Two items in the letter are things already happening. Putting them in the letter makes it look like SRRT is not paying attention. Suggest sharing letter with KC Boyd asking for information to get more specifics about some of what letter is asking for.
MOTION to approve letter in spirit and empower Rachel and Julie to move letter along as they see fit. Al Moved, Mark [?] seconds - APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY
SRRT LIAISONS - Olivia and Rachel explained that we need accurate records about who SRRT liaisons are to various ALA units. Please let them know if anything on the roster is incorrect.
10/30/2025 EXECUTIVE BOARD - Elaine reported that the EB's response to AC's request that implementation of change in elections be delayed was negative. EB explained that EB cannot reverse Council decisions, despite the fact that EB has sole responsibility for "administering" policy set by Council and that election changes originated in the EB. Elaine also reported that EB sent a letter to Pat Schuman and Betty Turock [SEE attachment C]. Elaine asked for direction from AC concerned that we've run up against a brick wall. AC decided that in keeping with October's meeting, Elaine has its blessing to move ahead to follow up on EB statements.
PROGRAM ASSESSMENT OUTCOME - Hillary reported she can send the program assessment outcome. She also noted, re elections that ALA is moving ahead with positions as determined by Council and that nominations due by Dec. 12. Nomination form is online, and as always there will be a write-in option. The 2026 ballot is in place and there is probably not any opportunity to change ballot now because of contract with election vendor. Next Council meeting in January. There are some items that need discussion by SRRT re program assessment outcomes.
ELECTIONS/BALLOT - Olivia and Hillary provided update on SRRT ballot: Derek is running for Treasurer. At this time chair and secretary don't have nominees. Rachel asked AC members to please if you know others who might be willing to serve, invite them to sign up and Olivia noted this is a great opportunity to get involved in ALA.
PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE SRRT CONNECT PAGE - Olivia raised a concern about public v private SRRT settings on Connect. General SRRT Connect space is viewable to the public, AC is not. She asked if anyone had thoughts concerning this matter given the current political climate. Given press of adjournment time, questions, and confusion, Olivia suggested that the matter warrants a more robust discussion.
MEETING ADJOURNED - 2:30pm Eastern time
Next SRRT-AC meeting Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 2 PM Atlantic / 1 PM Eastern / 12 PM Central / 11 AM Mountain / 10 AM Pacific
Draft minutes submitted by Elaine Harger, 13 December 2025
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Elaine Harger
Librarian (retired)
She/Her/Hers,we/all
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