SRRT (Social Responsibilities Round Table)

The  end of SRRT as we know it.
I feel like we, SRRT,, in particular,, have been targeted by this. 
In any case, the end of Action Council and a final assault on democracy in the Association.
A vote of "no confidence"  would, at least be a final protest, well deserved if unlikely to have any effect on this entire remake of ALA that you, Al, have so well outlined and drawn attention tp as it has unfolded.

Mark R.

------------------------------
Mark Rosenzweig
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Sep 03, 2025 03:44 PM
From: Al Kagan
Subject: Final vote

The vote to abolish elected round table governing bodies was approved 76-12-4. So what are we going to do about it? One idea is to vote no confidence in the ALA Executive Board and lobby all the other round tables to do the same. Are there other ideas?

Al

Al Kagan

SRRT International Responsibilities Task Force

SRRT Councilor, 1999-2009, 2011-2015

African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration Emeritus

University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign

Original Message:
Sent: 9/3/2025 5:48:00 PM
From: Mark Rosenzweig
Subject: RE: Final vote

The  end of SRRT as we know it.
I feel like we, SRRT,, in particular,, have been targeted by this. 
In any case, the end of Action Council and a final assault on democracy in the Association.
A vote of "no confidence"  would, at least be a final protest, well deserved if unlikely to have any effect on this entire remake of ALA that you, Al, have so well outlined and drawn attention tp as it has unfolded.

Mark R.

------------------------------
Mark Rosenzweig
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Sep 03, 2025 03:44 PM
From: Al Kagan
Subject: Final vote

The vote to abolish elected round table governing bodies was approved 76-12-4. So what are we going to do about it? One idea is to vote no confidence in the ALA Executive Board and lobby all the other round tables to do the same. Are there other ideas?

Al

Al Kagan

SRRT International Responsibilities Task Force

SRRT Councilor, 1999-2009, 2011-2015

African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration Emeritus

University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign

Original Message:
Sent: 9/3/2025 4:45:00 PM
From: Al Kagan
Subject: Final vote

The vote to abolish elected round table governing bodies was approved 76-12-4. So what are we going to do about it? One idea is to vote no confidence in the ALA Executive Board and lobby all the other round tables to do the same. Are there other ideas?

Al

Al Kagan

SRRT International Responsibilities Task Force

SRRT Councilor, 1999-2009, 2011-2015

African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration Emeritus

University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign

Thanks Eileen. As I mentioned in my earlier messages, this does not have immediate effect because those elected can finish out their terms. That means that the effect would start next spring when new Action Council at-large members would not be elected.


Original Message:
Sent: 9/4/2025 9:07:00 AM
From: Eileen Palmer
Subject: RE: Final vote

I realize this would not be an ideal solution but in the short term would it be possible for the elected SRRT officers to appoint Action Council at large members?  I understand appointment rather than election can encourage cronyism and make it more difficult to have an Action Council that reflects all voices.  But I am just asking if it is a possible, short term, solution as we work to reverse this shortsighted decision by the Council?

Eileen 

Eileen M. Palmer

Original Message:
Sent: 9/3/2025 4:45:00 PM
From: Al Kagan
Subject: Final vote

The vote to abolish elected round table governing bodies was approved 76-12-4. So what are we going to do about it? One idea is to vote no confidence in the ALA Executive Board and lobby all the other round tables to do the same. Are there other ideas?

Al

Al Kagan

SRRT International Responsibilities Task Force

SRRT Councilor, 1999-2009, 2011-2015

African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration Emeritus

University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign

Original Message:
Sent: 9/4/2025 9:29:00 AM
From: Al Kagan
Subject: RE: Final vote

Thanks Eileen. As I mentioned in my earlier messages, this does not have immediate effect because those elected can finish out their terms. That means that the effect would start next spring when new Action Council at-large members would not be elected.


Original Message:
Sent: 9/4/2025 9:07:00 AM
From: Eileen Palmer
Subject: RE: Final vote

I realize this would not be an ideal solution but in the short term would it be possible for the elected SRRT officers to appoint Action Council at large members?  I understand appointment rather than election can encourage cronyism and make it more difficult to have an Action Council that reflects all voices.  But I am just asking if it is a possible, short term, solution as we work to reverse this shortsighted decision by the Council?

Eileen 

Eileen M. Palmer

Original Message:
Sent: 9/3/2025 4:45:00 PM
From: Al Kagan
Subject: Final vote

The vote to abolish elected round table governing bodies was approved 76-12-4. So what are we going to do about it? One idea is to vote no confidence in the ALA Executive Board and lobby all the other round tables to do the same. Are there other ideas?

Al

Al Kagan

SRRT International Responsibilities Task Force

SRRT Councilor, 1999-2009, 2011-2015

African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration Emeritus

University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign

Original Message:
Sent: 9/4/2025 9:51:00 AM
From: Eileen Palmer
Subject: RE: Final vote

Thanks Al.  I did understand that -- I guess I am just more pessimistic about how long it could take to reverse this decision.  I think we might need both an immediate and  short term strategies.

Eileen 

Eileen M. Palmer

Original Message:
Sent: 9/4/2025 9:29:00 AM
From: Al Kagan
Subject: RE: Final vote

Thanks Eileen. As I mentioned in my earlier messages, this does not have immediate effect because those elected can finish out their terms. That means that the effect would start next spring when new Action Council at-large members would not be elected.


Original Message:
Sent: 9/4/2025 9:07:00 AM
From: Eileen Palmer
Subject: RE: Final vote

I realize this would not be an ideal solution but in the short term would it be possible for the elected SRRT officers to appoint Action Council at large members?  I understand appointment rather than election can encourage cronyism and make it more difficult to have an Action Council that reflects all voices.  But I am just asking if it is a possible, short term, solution as we work to reverse this shortsighted decision by the Council?

Eileen 

Eileen M. Palmer

Original Message:
Sent: 9/3/2025 4:45:00 PM
From: Al Kagan
Subject: Final vote

The vote to abolish elected round table governing bodies was approved 76-12-4. So what are we going to do about it? One idea is to vote no confidence in the ALA Executive Board and lobby all the other round tables to do the same. Are there other ideas?

Al

Al Kagan

SRRT International Responsibilities Task Force

SRRT Councilor, 1999-2009, 2011-2015

African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration Emeritus

University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign

Original Message:
Sent: 9/5/2025 12:07:00 PM
From: April Sheppard
Subject: RE: Final vote

The motion states that Round Tables can "continue to appoint any volunteers needed to support the work of the Round Table." So, I assume the officers could appoint Action Council members?

If we go this route, I hope we can find ways to keep it as democratic as possible. I know that the action prevents us from having any elections within the round table, but maybe there can still be a call put out for volunteers that way at least everyone has a chance to be appointed?

--

April Sheppard
banhatenotbooks@gmail.com

Please know that I honor and respect boundaries around personal time, well-being, caretaking, and time off. My work hours may be different than yours. Should you receive emails from me during a time that you're engaging in any of the above, please protect your time and wait to respond until you're working.

Original Message:
Sent: 9/4/2025 9:51:00 AM
From: Eileen Palmer
Subject: RE: Final vote

Thanks Al.  I did understand that -- I guess I am just more pessimistic about how long it could take to reverse this decision.  I think we might need both an immediate and  short term strategies.

Eileen 

Eileen M. Palmer

Original Message:
Sent: 9/4/2025 9:29:00 AM
From: Al Kagan
Subject: RE: Final vote

Thanks Eileen. As I mentioned in my earlier messages, this does not have immediate effect because those elected can finish out their terms. That means that the effect would start next spring when new Action Council at-large members would not be elected.


Original Message:
Sent: 9/4/2025 9:07:00 AM
From: Eileen Palmer
Subject: RE: Final vote

I realize this would not be an ideal solution but in the short term would it be possible for the elected SRRT officers to appoint Action Council at large members?  I understand appointment rather than election can encourage cronyism and make it more difficult to have an Action Council that reflects all voices.  But I am just asking if it is a possible, short term, solution as we work to reverse this shortsighted decision by the Council?

Eileen 

Eileen M. Palmer

Original Message:
Sent: 9/3/2025 4:45:00 PM
From: Al Kagan
Subject: Final vote

The vote to abolish elected round table governing bodies was approved 76-12-4. So what are we going to do about it? One idea is to vote no confidence in the ALA Executive Board and lobby all the other round tables to do the same. Are there other ideas?

Al

Al Kagan

SRRT International Responsibilities Task Force

SRRT Councilor, 1999-2009, 2011-2015

African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration Emeritus

University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign

A Call to Emily Drabinski to Stand With SRRT on Round Table Democracy

Colleagues,

Many of us are still processing Council's recent vote to abolish the election of Round Table governing bodies-a decision that strikes at the very roots of member participation and transparency that have long defined SRRT and the Association as a whole.

Emily Drabinski, as Immediate Past President of ALA and a longtime SRRT member, has been a visible advocate for equity, openness, and grassroots engagement. Her leadership on these values has inspired many of us. That's why it has been deeply concerning to see that this vote-supported by Council, apparently with Emily's concurrence-effectively dismantles the elected Action Council structure that has sustained SRRT's voice for decades.

We believe the best path forward is collective. A strong, principled statement from Emily-acknowledging the harm of this decision and standing with members in seeking to reverse it-would send a powerful signal that the fight for democracy inside ALA is not over.

I urge Emily to join SRRT members, current and past, in:

• Publicly opposing the elimination of elected Round Table leadership

• Supporting a vote of no confidence in the Executive Board's handling of this process

• Working with Round Tables to craft and advance a resolution restoring democratic governance

We are not simply defending a procedural detail; we are safeguarding the participatory spirit that has allowed SRRT and other Round Tables to thrive.

Emily, your voice matters now more than ever. Please stand with us in affirming that democracy in ALA must be strengthened-not diminished.

In solidarity,

Mark Rosenzweig

SRRT AC member
IRTF/SRRT co-coordinator

------------------------------
Mark Rosenzweig
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: Sep 03, 2025 03:44 PM
From: Al Kagan
Subject: Final vote

The vote to abolish elected round table governing bodies was approved 76-12-4. So what are we going to do about it? One idea is to vote no confidence in the ALA Executive Board and lobby all the other round tables to do the same. Are there other ideas?

Al

Al Kagan

SRRT International Responsibilities Task Force

SRRT Councilor, 1999-2009, 2011-2015

African Studies Bibliographer and Professor of Library Administration Emeritus

University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign