SRRT (Social Responsibilities Round Table)

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The Social Responsibilities Round Table works to make ALA more democratic and to establish progressive priorities not only for the Association, but also for the entire profession. Concern for human and economic rights was an important element in the founding of SRRT and remains an urgent concern today. SRRT believes that libraries and librarians must recognize and help solve social problems and inequities in order to carry out their mandate to work for the common good and bolster democracy.

Learn more about SRRT on the ALA website.

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Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

  • 1.  Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

    Posted Aug 27, 2025 08:56 PM
    To my colleagues, comrades, and friends,

    The ALA Council met for a Virtual Special ALA Council meeting today. At that meeting, the ALA Executive Board put forward 5 actions. Only 4 were voted or discussed due to running out of time. The 4th action was for "...aligning the elected Round Table officers with ALA elected officers." What that means in practice is that round table elections would only be held for president/chair and treasurer. There would be no other elections. Others could be appointed to various positions. However an amendment was put forward to add a secretary as an elected officer. Then a second amendment was put forward to include elected members at-large. 

    The amendment to add members at large failed by a vote of 33-65-8. The SRRT Councilor spoke up against this amendment. Then the vote on the original amendment passed by a vote of 55-35-11. Due to the confusion of the President, no vote was taken on the motion as amended. Then the meeting adjourned, and another meeting will be held within 45 days to finish the agenda, including this item.

    At this time, it appears that the amended version will pass. This means that those currently elected by round tables will finish their terms, and that future elections will only be for president/chair, treasurer, and secretary. That means the end of the SRRT Action Council as we know it. Others could be appointed by the elected officers. This also means that all the round tables will have to change their bylaws again.

    The rationale for this change is efficiency and cost-cutting in terms of staff time. It is hard for me to see how this could save much money. In any case, I don't see why the Executive Board thinks it is OK to intervene in round table elections in any way.

    But because the president forgot to call for a final vote, there is still a slight chance to save the Action Council. That could only happen if the Action Council instructs the SRRT Councilor to vote against this motion and if the SRRT officers mobilize support from other round tables and interested groups. Mobilization might also be done through the ALA Members Connect space. It seems to me that this is very unlikely, but it would be good to at least go on record that we oppose the dissolution of the Action Council from on high.

    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












  • 2.  RE: Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

    Posted Aug 27, 2025 10:12 PM
    Hello, folks I'm the anonymous 'SRRT councilor' mentioned above.  

    First, I did not speak against the amendment. I brought up a point of order that once a motion is on the floor it couldn't be amended unilaterally just with the agreement of the mover, and then I objected to adding the language via unanimous consent. Voting on the two motions individually one after the other as amendments to the main motion would have been the best way, and would have given each motion the best chance, but once the second mover had requested an amendment to our amendment (always procedurally tricky!) I acted as quickly as I could to do my best to salvage them. My expectation was that if they'd been bundled together into a single vote they probably both would have been voted down.  The wide vote against the first and narrower one in favor of the second seems to bear that out. (And not for nothing, if I hadn't objected and forced two votes on the two amendments we would have had time to vote the whole thing down at once and then get to the final vote on motion four which in all likelihood would now be a done deal with no changes from the original proposal!) 

    In other words, "the SRRT councilor" did her best, as she always does. Parliamentary procedure, like life, at times comes at you fast. 

    Second, we didn't run out of time to vote on motion four due to 'confusion on the part of the president;' we never got to the vote because someone piped up prematurely to move to extend the meeting,we lost too much time on that vote and had none left to proceed to a vote on the motion as amended, and now we're going to have to hold another meeting to finish what we didn't get to today. We got in our own way, as council sometimes does! 

    As to the motion itself: I have to point out that in the vast majority of SRRT action council elections, members' votes simply do not matter because we have as many people running as there are positions - or fewer! This has been a problem for many years. And it's not just us; the EB report specifically referenced the large number of uncontested races in round table elections which still require considerable staff time to wrangle candidate bios and prep ballots. But I hope we haven't missed that under this new plan, SRRT members will have an opportunity to do something they haven't had before - to vote directly on SRRT's officers, something which action council has historically kept for itself.

    Finally it's important to remember that this is only a policy level change. Anything that can be done in a single vote at ALA council can be undone in another: if this change is truly bad for round tables or their members, it won't be missed because it won't just be us and we'll be right back at council in a meeting or two. In the meantime we can work on other options. For example we can go back to RTCA and ask them to explore ways to hold lower-cost member-led elections on positions that don't go on the spring ballot. 

    SRRT can't always be the Round Table that fights against every change to ALA. When debates like this come up we can't ignore the problems that prompted them: we can and should be looking for ways to lead positive change, rather than insisting the problem go unaddressed because we don't like the solution that's been proposed. We've got to have a little faith in our process and in our colleagues at ALA. 



    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

    Posted Aug 28, 2025 08:07 AM
    Thank you, Tara, for your report and all your efforts on SRRT's behalf. 

    For the record, I have mixed feelings concerning how this "streamlining" process is proceeding. I probably would not be serving as Treasurer today if I had not been elected first as a Member-At-Large to Action Council. While Action Council can be contentious forum, it has served as a filter over the years for the rest of the SRRT membership. I have sat in on other round table meetings, granted some are more efficient, very controlling of their members, and with limited ability by members to voice their concerns or dialogue of any sort.

    It will be interesting to see what the impact will be on the round tables, once the full effects of reorganizing are complete. The "one-size fits all approach" for an organization of this magnitude will be difficult to manage no matter what the ALA leadership proposes.

    One possible outcome from these changes is academic and public librarians and library workers will be disincentivized from engaging with the round tables, potentially refocusing their attention to the Divisions or affiliate associations or leaving ALA altogether. Library workers professional development funds are often tied to service in leadership roles, and academic librarians are often required to seek leadership opportunities at the national level for their tenure process. When those avenues are further constricted, then it forces library workers to seek other opportunities outside of the expensive cost of ALA membership. 

    Will these changes improve the work the round tables perform? Will these changes stem the flow of people not renewing their membership? Only time will tell...


    Derek Wilmott Montoya, MLIS (he/him)

    ALA/SRRT Treasurer 2024-2026

    SRRT Member-at-Large 2024-2027?

    419.530.7984

    rwilmott@hotmail.com

     




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

    Posted Aug 28, 2025 12:12 PM
    Hi Elaine,

    Actually as you may remember, they tried to make the ALA Council advisory to the Executive Board, but that failed. So instead they reduced the number of at large councilors from 100 to 36, which I think is now fully in effect. I have not tried to attend Executive Board meetings, so I don’t know if this was done in open or closed session. But it was sprung on us 2 days before the meeting, and with no explanation whatsoever. At least Tara should have notified us of the implications.

    If this is approved at the next special Council meeting, within 45 days, I think we should all quit. This is the last straw for me. Of course we should make a principled statement when doing it.

    So far I see no fight back or even willingness to make a statement from the SRRT Action Council. But this just happened and perhaps they may say or do something. I don’t know what it would take for this Action Council to fight back. One would think the elimination of the body would provoke something, but maybe not.
    Al

    > On Aug 28, 2025, at 11:09 AM, Elaine Harger <eharger@drizzle.com> wrote:
    >
    > This is absolutely outrageous! Are they doing away with election _ALA
    > Council_ members also?
    > And, why the hell did Tara oppose the amendment?
    >
    > Do you know if the Exec Bd come up with this idea in one of their secret
    > sessions?
    >
    > Al, thanks so much for paying attention to the fact that this special
    > meeting was happening and for attending and for letting us know about
    > this. What shall we do?
    >
    > Elaine
    >
    >
    >
    >> To my colleagues, comrades, and friends,
    >>
    >> The ALA Council met for a Virtual Special ALA Council meeting today. At
    >> that meeting, the ALA Executive Board put forward 5 actions. Only 4 were
    >> voted or discussed due to running out of time. The 4th action was for
    >> “…aligning the elected Round Table officers with ALA elected officers.”
    >> What that means in practice is that round table elections would only be
    >> held for president/chair and treasurer. There would be no other elections.
    >> Others could be appointed to various positions. However an amendment was
    >> put forward to add a secretary as an elected officer. Then a second
    >> amendment was put forward to include elected members at-large.
    >>
    >> The amendment to add members at large failed by a vote of 33-65-8. The
    >> SRRT Councilor spoke up against this amendment. Then the vote on the
    >> original amendment passed by a vote of 55-35-11. Due to the confusion of
    >> the President, no vote was taken on the motion as amended. Then the
    >> meeting adjourned, and another meeting will be held within 45 days to
    >> finish the agenda, including this item.
    >>
    >> At this time, it appears that the amended version will pass. This means
    >> that those currently elected by round tables will finish their terms, and
    >> that future elections will only be for president/chair, treasurer, and
    >> secretary. That means the end of the SRRT Action Council as we know it.
    >> Others could be appointed by the elected officers. This also means that
    >> all the round tables will have to change their bylaws again.
    >>
    >> The rationale for this change is efficiency and cost-cutting in terms of
    >> staff time. It is hard for me to see how this could save much money. In
    >> any case, I don’t see why the Executive Board thinks it is OK to intervene
    >> in round table elections in any way.
    >>
    >> But because the president forgot to call for a final vote, there is still
    >> a slight chance to save the Action Council. That could only happen if the
    >> Action Council instructs the SRRT Councilor to vote against this motion
    >> and if the SRRT officers mobilize support from other round tables and
    >> interested groups. Mobilization might also be done through the ALA Members
    >> Connect space. It seems to me that this is very unlikely, but it would be
    >> good to at least go on record that we oppose the dissolution of the Action
    >> Council from on high.
    >>
    >> 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
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >>
    >
    >
    > Elaine Harger
    >
    > 509-893-8862 (landline)
    > 425-221-8294 (texts)
    > eharger at drizzle dot com
    >
    > "I'd say I'm a revolutionary optimist. I believe that the good guys - the
    > people - are going to win." Amiri Baraka, 1934-2014
    >


    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

    Posted Aug 28, 2025 12:18 PM
    P.S. Tara claims that she objected to adding members at large for election would have meant the defeat of the entire amendment. That is unknown. But either way it means the end of the Action Council. Since she also said that Action Council meetings are meaningless because they are not contested, perhaps she is happy to get rid of it. She will not have to deal with people like us anymore.
    Al

    > On Aug 28, 2025, at 11:09 AM, Elaine Harger <eharger@drizzle.com> wrote:
    > This is absolutely outrageous! Are they doing away with election _ALA
    > Council_ members also?
    > And, why the hell did Tara oppose the amendment?
    >
    > Do you know if the Exec Bd come up with this idea in one of their secret
    > sessions?
    >
    > Al, thanks so much for paying attention to the fact that this special
    > meeting was happening and for attending and for letting us know about
    > this. What shall we do?
    >
    > Elaine
    >
    >
    >
    >> To my colleagues, comrades, and friends,
    >>
    >> The ALA Council met for a Virtual Special ALA Council meeting today. At
    >> that meeting, the ALA Executive Board put forward 5 actions. Only 4 were
    >> voted or discussed due to running out of time. The 4th action was for
    >> “…aligning the elected Round Table officers with ALA elected officers.”
    >> What that means in practice is that round table elections would only be
    >> held for president/chair and treasurer. There would be no other elections.
    >> Others could be appointed to various positions. However an amendment was
    >> put forward to add a secretary as an elected officer. Then a second
    >> amendment was put forward to include elected members at-large.
    >>
    >> The amendment to add members at large failed by a vote of 33-65-8. The
    >> SRRT Councilor spoke up against this amendment. Then the vote on the
    >> original amendment passed by a vote of 55-35-11. Due to the confusion of
    >> the President, no vote was taken on the motion as amended. Then the
    >> meeting adjourned, and another meeting will be held within 45 days to
    >> finish the agenda, including this item.
    >>
    >> At this time, it appears that the amended version will pass. This means
    >> that those currently elected by round tables will finish their terms, and
    >> that future elections will only be for president/chair, treasurer, and
    >> secretary. That means the end of the SRRT Action Council as we know it.
    >> Others could be appointed by the elected officers. This also means that
    >> all the round tables will have to change their bylaws again.
    >>
    >> The rationale for this change is efficiency and cost-cutting in terms of
    >> staff time. It is hard for me to see how this could save much money. In
    >> any case, I don’t see why the Executive Board thinks it is OK to intervene
    >> in round table elections in any way.
    >>
    >> But because the president forgot to call for a final vote, there is still
    >> a slight chance to save the Action Council. That could only happen if the
    >> Action Council instructs the SRRT Councilor to vote against this motion
    >> and if the SRRT officers mobilize support from other round tables and
    >> interested groups. Mobilization might also be done through the ALA Members
    >> Connect space. It seems to me that this is very unlikely, but it would be
    >> good to at least go on record that we oppose the dissolution of the Action
    >> Council from on high.
    >>
    >> 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
    >
    >
    > Elaine Harger
    >
    > 509-893-8862 (landline)
    > 425-221-8294 (texts)
    > eharger at drizzle dot com
    >
    > "I'd say I'm a revolutionary optimist. I believe that the good guys - the
    > people - are going to win." Amiri Baraka, 1934-2014


    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

    Posted Aug 28, 2025 02:49 PM
    Exactly, no more reason to exist.
    Al

    On Aug 28, 2025, at 2:46 PM, Katharine Phenix <kjphenix@gmail.com> wrote:

    And I was actually just planning to run for Action Council because I want to make SRRT what it used to be. 

    She also said "
    SRRT can't always be the Round Table that fights against every change to ALA." Well I say we fight when ALA is not acting socially responsible. Otherwise why exist as a round table?

    On Thu, Aug 28, 2025 at 11:18 AM Kagan, Alfred <akagan@illinois.edu> wrote:
    P.S. Tara claims that she objected to adding members at large for election would have meant the defeat of the entire amendment. That is unknown. But either way it means the end of the Action Council. Since she also said that Action Council meetings are meaningless because they are not contested, perhaps she is happy to get rid of it. She will not have to deal with people like us anymore.
    Al

    > On Aug 28, 2025, at 11:09 AM, Elaine Harger <eharger@drizzle.com> wrote:
    > This is absolutely outrageous!  Are they doing away with election _ALA
    > Council_ members also?
    > And, why the hell did Tara oppose the amendment?
    >
    > Do you know if the Exec Bd come up with this idea in one of their secret
    > sessions?
    >
    > Al, thanks so much for paying attention to the fact that this special
    > meeting was happening and for attending and for letting us know about
    > this.  What shall we do?
    >
    > Elaine
    >
    >
    >
    >> To my colleagues, comrades, and friends,
    >>
    >> The ALA Council met for a Virtual Special ALA Council meeting today. At
    >> that meeting, the ALA Executive Board put forward 5 actions. Only 4 were
    >> voted or discussed due to running out of time. The 4th action was for
    >> "...aligning the elected Round Table officers with ALA elected officers."
    >> What that means in practice is that round table elections would only be
    >> held for president/chair and treasurer. There would be no other elections.
    >> Others could be appointed to various positions. However an amendment was
    >> put forward to add a secretary as an elected officer. Then a second
    >> amendment was put forward to include elected members at-large.
    >>
    >> The amendment to add members at large failed by a vote of 33-65-8. The
    >> SRRT Councilor spoke up against this amendment. Then the vote on the
    >> original amendment passed by a vote of 55-35-11. Due to the confusion of
    >> the President, no vote was taken on the motion as amended. Then the
    >> meeting adjourned, and another meeting will be held within 45 days to
    >> finish the agenda, including this item.
    >>
    >> At this time, it appears that the amended version will pass. This means
    >> that those currently elected by round tables will finish their terms, and
    >> that future elections will only be for president/chair, treasurer, and
    >> secretary. That means the end of the SRRT Action Council as we know it.
    >> Others could be appointed by the elected officers. This also means that
    >> all the round tables will have to change their bylaws again.
    >>
    >> The rationale for this change is efficiency and cost-cutting in terms of
    >> staff time. It is hard for me to see how this could save much money. In
    >> any case, I don't see why the Executive Board thinks it is OK to intervene
    >> in round table elections in any way.
    >>
    >> But because the president forgot to call for a final vote, there is still
    >> a slight chance to save the Action Council. That could only happen if the
    >> Action Council instructs the SRRT Councilor to vote against this motion
    >> and if the SRRT officers mobilize support from other round tables and
    >> interested groups. Mobilization might also be done through the ALA Members
    >> Connect space. It seems to me that this is very unlikely, but it would be
    >> good to at least go on record that we oppose the dissolution of the Action
    >> Council from on high.
    >>
    >> 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
    >
    >
    > Elaine Harger
    >
    > 509-893-8862 (landline)
    > 425-221-8294 (texts)
    > eharger at drizzle dot com
    >
    > "I'd say I'm a revolutionary optimist.  I believe that the good guys - the
    > people - are going to win."  Amiri Baraka, 1934-2014




    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

    Posted Aug 28, 2025 03:13 PM
    Dear all,

    ALA is losing it all to "efficiency"! Just try navigating the new
    "streamlined" website. _No_ navigational links at the top. _No_ "learn
    more" link or any other link under "Offices" to the Exec Board. And even
    finding "Offices" takes a hunt.

    So, the first thing on the ALA website is: "Frequently Asked Questions on
    the Executive Order Targeting IMLS"

    I've got a mind to post "Need FAQs on the ALA Exec Bd Order Targeting
    Round Table Governance"!

    The reason given for this step was to "align" round table elections and
    elected officers with those of ALA. Well, will the Exec Bd now propose
    that Council _eliminate_ ALA Council elections?

    It is bad enough that processes and practices of democracy are being
    ditched in Wash DC. Now having ALA follow suit, is just so depressing
    and infuriating.

    Elaine



    > And I was actually just planning to run for Action Council because I want
    > to make SRRT what it used to be.
    >
    > She also said “
    > SRRT can't always be the Round Table that fights against every change
    > to ALA.” Well I say we fight when ALA is not acting socially responsible.
    > Otherwise why exist as a round table?
    >
    > On Thu, Aug 28, 2025 at 11:18 AM Kagan, Alfred <akagan@illinois.edu>
    > wrote:
    >
    >> P.S. Tara claims that she objected to adding members at large for
    >> election
    >> would have meant the defeat of the entire amendment. That is unknown.
    >> But
    >> either way it means the end of the Action Council. Since she also said
    >> that
    >> Action Council meetings are meaningless because they are not contested,
    >> perhaps she is happy to get rid of it. She will not have to deal with
    >> people like us anymore.
    >> Al
    >>
    >> > On Aug 28, 2025, at 11:09 AM, Elaine Harger <eharger@drizzle.com>
    >> wrote:
    >> > This is absolutely outrageous! Are they doing away with election
    >> _ALA
    >> > Council_ members also?
    >> > And, why the hell did Tara oppose the amendment?
    >> >
    >> > Do you know if the Exec Bd come up with this idea in one of their
    >> secret
    >> > sessions?
    >> >
    >> > Al, thanks so much for paying attention to the fact that this special
    >> > meeting was happening and for attending and for letting us know about
    >> > this. What shall we do?
    >> >
    >> > Elaine
    >> >
    >> >
    >> >
    >> >> To my colleagues, comrades, and friends,
    >> >>
    >> >> The ALA Council met for a Virtual Special ALA Council meeting today.
    >> At
    >> >> that meeting, the ALA Executive Board put forward 5 actions. Only 4
    >> were
    >> >> voted or discussed due to running out of time. The 4th action was for
    >> >> “…aligning the elected Round Table officers with ALA elected
    >> officers.”
    >> >> What that means in practice is that round table elections would only
    >> be
    >> >> held for president/chair and treasurer. There would be no other
    >> elections.
    >> >> Others could be appointed to various positions. However an amendment
    >> was
    >> >> put forward to add a secretary as an elected officer. Then a second
    >> >> amendment was put forward to include elected members at-large.
    >> >>
    >> >> The amendment to add members at large failed by a vote of 33-65-8.
    >> The
    >> >> SRRT Councilor spoke up against this amendment. Then the vote on the
    >> >> original amendment passed by a vote of 55-35-11. Due to the confusion
    >> of
    >> >> the President, no vote was taken on the motion as amended. Then the
    >> >> meeting adjourned, and another meeting will be held within 45 days to
    >> >> finish the agenda, including this item.
    >> >>
    >> >> At this time, it appears that the amended version will pass. This
    >> means
    >> >> that those currently elected by round tables will finish their terms,
    >> and
    >> >> that future elections will only be for president/chair, treasurer,
    >> and
    >> >> secretary. That means the end of the SRRT Action Council as we know
    >> it.
    >> >> Others could be appointed by the elected officers. This also means
    >> that
    >> >> all the round tables will have to change their bylaws again.
    >> >>
    >> >> The rationale for this change is efficiency and cost-cutting in terms
    >> of
    >> >> staff time. It is hard for me to see how this could save much money.
    >> In
    >> >> any case, I don’t see why the Executive Board thinks it is OK to
    >> intervene
    >> >> in round table elections in any way.
    >> >>
    >> >> But because the president forgot to call for a final vote, there is
    >> still
    >> >> a slight chance to save the Action Council. That could only happen if
    >> the
    >> >> Action Council instructs the SRRT Councilor to vote against this
    >> motion
    >> >> and if the SRRT officers mobilize support from other round tables and
    >> >> interested groups. Mobilization might also be done through the ALA
    >> Members
    >> >> Connect space. It seems to me that this is very unlikely, but it
    >> would
    >> be
    >> >> good to at least go on record that we oppose the dissolution of the
    >> Action
    >> >> Council from on high.
    >> >>
    >> >> 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
    >> >
    >> >
    >> > Elaine Harger
    >> >
    >> > 509-893-8862 (landline)
    >> > 425-221-8294 (texts)
    >> > eharger at drizzle dot com
    >> >
    >> > "I'd say I'm a revolutionary optimist. I believe that the good guys -
    >> the
    >> > people - are going to win." Amiri Baraka, 1934-2014
    >>
    >


    Elaine Harger

    509-893-8862 (landline)
    425-221-8294 (texts)
    eharger at drizzle dot com

    "I'd say I'm a revolutionary optimist. I believe that the good guys - the
    people - are going to win." Amiri Baraka, 1934-2014


    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

    Posted Aug 29, 2025 09:03 AM

    Dear SRRT members,

    First, I must apologize for inadvertently posting to the SRRT Connect email comments not intended for public distribution.  

    That said, here, now, are my reactions to the step the ALA Exec. Board and Council have taken to restrict decision-making and governance processes for round tables.

    First, how was it that a proposal of this magnitude was allowed to creep into a "special" Council meeting without (as far as I know) first being brought to the attention of the round tables themselves?  

    Of course, perhaps I've not been paying close enough attention to SRRT Action Council communications?  (BTW, my name and contact info are missing from the list of SRRT AC members.)

    Second, "efficiency" is increasingly being (has always been?) used to actually _limit_ decision making autonomy, whether in government or workplaces.  Efficiency is often a cover for lockstep compliance with a higher authority, and the lack of notice about this Exec. Board decision certainly supports that possibility.  

    Third, I echo Derek's comments about the role serving on SRRT Action Council has played in fostering the professional development of those who have been elected.  The same was true of service on ALA Council.  Those opportunities have been continuously constricted for several years now.  When will that end?

    As for Tara's comment that this newly voted on policy can always be overturned, yes, that is true.  But doesn't SRRT have better things to do than spend time and energy working to undo something that shouldn't have been done in the first place?  Or, at least, something that deserved much more consideration by the units impacted than was given?

    Sincerely,

    Elaine Harger

    SRRT AC Member, 2025-2028



    ------------------------------
    Elaine Harger
    Librarian (retired)
    She/Her/Hers,we/all
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

    Posted Aug 29, 2025 09:26 AM

    Dear all,

    I've just seen that two days ago Tara did post the Exec. Bd. memo that describes the actions taken in the special Council meeting of the other day.  Clearly, I wasn't paying as close attention as I should.

    That said, I see from the document that a "conversation" with the Round Table Coordinating Assembly on August 5 was planned to take place.  Seems to me that some kind of notice (if not an alarm!) might have been given to SRRT sometime in July, so that we had an opportunity for discussion.  Did the Exec. Bd. plan this momentous change purposefully for a time when many are taking a break?

    Elaine



    ------------------------------
    Elaine Harger
    Librarian (retired)
    She/Her/Hers,we/all
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

    Posted Aug 30, 2025 02:05 PM
    What are we going to do at the next AC meeting? When is it, btw?
    Mark R


    On Aug 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM, Kagan, Alfred <akagan@illinois.edu> wrote:

    Exactly, no more reason to exist.
    Al

    On Aug 28, 2025, at 2:46 PM, Katharine Phenix <kjphenix@gmail.com> wrote:

    And I was actually just planning to run for Action Council because I want to make SRRT what it used to be. 

    She also said "
    SRRT can't always be the Round Table that fights against every change to ALA." Well I say we fight when ALA is not acting socially responsible. Otherwise why exist as a round table?

    On Thu, Aug 28, 2025 at 11:18 AM Kagan, Alfred <akagan@illinois.edu> wrote:
    P.S. Tara claims that she objected to adding members at large for election would have meant the defeat of the entire amendment. That is unknown. But either way it means the end of the Action Council. Since she also said that Action Council meetings are meaningless because they are not contested, perhaps she is happy to get rid of it. She will not have to deal with people like us anymore.
    Al

    > On Aug 28, 2025, at 11:09 AM, Elaine Harger <eharger@drizzle.com> wrote:
    > This is absolutely outrageous!  Are they doing away with election _ALA
    > Council_ members also?
    > And, why the hell did Tara oppose the amendment?
    >
    > Do you know if the Exec Bd come up with this idea in one of their secret
    > sessions?
    >
    > Al, thanks so much for paying attention to the fact that this special
    > meeting was happening and for attending and for letting us know about
    > this.  What shall we do?
    >
    > Elaine
    >
    >
    >
    >> To my colleagues, comrades, and friends,
    >>
    >> The ALA Council met for a Virtual Special ALA Council meeting today. At
    >> that meeting, the ALA Executive Board put forward 5 actions. Only 4 were
    >> voted or discussed due to running out of time. The 4th action was for
    >> "...aligning the elected Round Table officers with ALA elected officers."
    >> What that means in practice is that round table elections would only be
    >> held for president/chair and treasurer. There would be no other elections.
    >> Others could be appointed to various positions. However an amendment was
    >> put forward to add a secretary as an elected officer. Then a second
    >> amendment was put forward to include elected members at-large.
    >>
    >> The amendment to add members at large failed by a vote of 33-65-8. The
    >> SRRT Councilor spoke up against this amendment. Then the vote on the
    >> original amendment passed by a vote of 55-35-11. Due to the confusion of
    >> the President, no vote was taken on the motion as amended. Then the
    >> meeting adjourned, and another meeting will be held within 45 days to
    >> finish the agenda, including this item.
    >>
    >> At this time, it appears that the amended version will pass. This means
    >> that those currently elected by round tables will finish their terms, and
    >> that future elections will only be for president/chair, treasurer, and
    >> secretary. That means the end of the SRRT Action Council as we know it.
    >> Others could be appointed by the elected officers. This also means that
    >> all the round tables will have to change their bylaws again.
    >>
    >> The rationale for this change is efficiency and cost-cutting in terms of
    >> staff time. It is hard for me to see how this could save much money. In
    >> any case, I don't see why the Executive Board thinks it is OK to intervene
    >> in round table elections in any way.
    >>
    >> But because the president forgot to call for a final vote, there is still
    >> a slight chance to save the Action Council. That could only happen if the
    >> Action Council instructs the SRRT Councilor to vote against this motion
    >> and if the SRRT officers mobilize support from other round tables and
    >> interested groups. Mobilization might also be done through the ALA Members
    >> Connect space. It seems to me that this is very unlikely, but it would be
    >> good to at least go on record that we oppose the dissolution of the Action
    >> Council from on high.
    >>
    >> 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
    >
    >
    > Elaine Harger
    >
    > 509-893-8862 (landline)
    > 425-221-8294 (texts)
    > eharger at drizzle dot com
    >
    > "I'd say I'm a revolutionary optimist.  I believe that the good guys - the
    > people - are going to win."  Amiri Baraka, 1934-2014





    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

    Posted Aug 30, 2025 02:48 PM

    We can and should certainly discuss this at our AC meeting. We sent a survey to all AC members regarding scheduling last week. Unfortunately there was not a single meeting time that achieved consensus, so Olivia and I will review the results and propose the time next week. The good news is that we are experimenting with recording AC meetings, which should help for those who cannot attend. We are all trying our best. Thanks,



    ------------------------------
    Rachel Rosekind
    Educator, Editor, Writer, Activist, Library Commissioner
    Write You Are / Contra Costa Library Commission
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Say Good-Bye to the SRRT Action Council

    Posted Sep 02, 2025 08:13 AM
    I greatly appreciate any efforts to record future meetings.  There are many many people who absolutely cannot ever participate live.  We shouldn't be excluded.

    --
    Deborah L. Corbin | Branch Assistant |Clover Public Library
    107 Knox Street, Clover SC 29710
    (803) 222-3474 (P) | deb.corbin@yclibrary.org
    Pronouns:  She/Her




    Original Message