SRRT (Social Responsibilities Round Table)

Hi folks!

We ran out of time during today's Action Council meeting, but we wanted to be sure to make space for folks to discuss some of the things we missed/cut short.

One of those overarching topics was access to SRRT's Connect spaces. If I understand correctly, currently, a person needs to be logged into their ALA Connect account in order to access the SRRT Action Council Connect space. On the other hand, currently, anyone can access (i.e. read) the SRRT general Connect space, even if they are not logged in.

The question has come up several times as to whether SRRT's general Connect space should remain publicly viewable, or if it should be changed such that one must be logged into their ALA Connect account in order to access it.

We ran out of time to take a vote on the matter during today's Action Council meeting, but will plan to take up the question again at our next business meeting, next month.

In the meantime, it would be great to have a discussion about this matter so that Action Council can address it to the best of our capabilities next month.

Please use this Connect thread to share your thoughts on the matter.

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Olivia Blake (she/her)
orhysb@gmail.com
Systems & User Services Support Librarian, Library Connection, Inc.
SRRT Action Council Co-Coordinator (2025-2026)
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Hi Everyone,

I think it would be useful to the discussion to know what are the pros and cons concerning this issue? 

Cheers!

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Derek Wilmott Montoya
He/Him/His
robert.wilmott@utoledo.edu
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Original Message:
Sent: 5/27/2026 4:11:00 PM
From: Derek Wilmott Montoya
Subject: RE: Your Input Needed! Discussion item: SRRT's Connect spaces

Hi Everyone,

I think it would be useful to the discussion to know what are the pros and cons concerning this issue? 

Cheers!

------------------------------
Derek Wilmott Montoya
He/Him/His
robert.wilmott@utoledo.edu
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 5/27/2026 4:32:00 PM
From: Rory Litwin
Subject: RE: Your Input Needed! Discussion item: SRRT's Connect spaces

I can start on that. It seems to me that the argument for keeping it open would simply be that we should follow the principle of openness and transparency. If we believe in what we say here, why shouldn't the world be able to read it? I am guessing this is the reason for the current policy.

But openness and transparency are only democratic values so that power (a decision-making body) is accountable to the people who are represented. The SRRT community isn't accountable to the general public outside of ALA. We don't owe them access. That's my take on the philosophical argument for openness here.

I guess there could also be a feeling that we want people to know about us, so that they will become interested in joining SRRT and be educated by our discussions. That argument seems a little more potentially convincing. 

I think there is the potential for trouble in having the group open to the world. One reason is that individuals might feel free here to express themselves here in a way that they wouldn't outside of a friendly group. It is easy to forget, or simply to never have been made aware, that we are not having a private discussion. It feels safer than it is here, and we might say things that we wouldn't want just anybody reading. This happened to me. I ran across a discussion here in a web search in which I said things that I was a little ashamed of. I didn't like the thought that it was out there for the world to see. Among this group, I feel there is understanding and forgiveness for lapses in professionalism, let's say. It's different if a loan officer, a stalker, or a customs agent can find these things.

Then there is the potential for bringing unwanted attention to ALA. There is a lot of hostility toward ALA, especially among conservative groups. A lot of them are actively working against ALA, and they are looking for material to use against it. This is a place where adverse material is easy to find. In fact it is likely to come up in a Google search.

That's my take.

Rory Litwin

--

Rory Litwin

Original Message:
Sent: 5/28/2026 8:10:00 AM
From: April Sheppard
Subject: RE: Your Input Needed! Discussion item: SRRT's Connect spaces

Part of the original thinking in keeping it open was so that people who didn't want to use Connect or agree with the Connect Terms of Use, could still see the messages and know what's going on. 

That said, the decision was made before the current anti-library movement. Due to my political situation, I've scrubbed most mentions of my institution and SRRT together. The one exception are the older SRRT Connect posts that are searchable via Google.

April

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: 5/27/2026 4:32:00 PM
From: Rory Litwin
Subject: RE: Your Input Needed! Discussion item: SRRT's Connect spaces

I can start on that. It seems to me that the argument for keeping it open would simply be that we should follow the principle of openness and transparency. If we believe in what we say here, why shouldn't the world be able to read it? I am guessing this is the reason for the current policy.

But openness and transparency are only democratic values so that power (a decision-making body) is accountable to the people who are represented. The SRRT community isn't accountable to the general public outside of ALA. We don't owe them access. That's my take on the philosophical argument for openness here.

I guess there could also be a feeling that we want people to know about us, so that they will become interested in joining SRRT and be educated by our discussions. That argument seems a little more potentially convincing. 

I think there is the potential for trouble in having the group open to the world. One reason is that individuals might feel free here to express themselves here in a way that they wouldn't outside of a friendly group. It is easy to forget, or simply to never have been made aware, that we are not having a private discussion. It feels safer than it is here, and we might say things that we wouldn't want just anybody reading. This happened to me. I ran across a discussion here in a web search in which I said things that I was a little ashamed of. I didn't like the thought that it was out there for the world to see. Among this group, I feel there is understanding and forgiveness for lapses in professionalism, let's say. It's different if a loan officer, a stalker, or a customs agent can find these things.

Then there is the potential for bringing unwanted attention to ALA. There is a lot of hostility toward ALA, especially among conservative groups. A lot of them are actively working against ALA, and they are looking for material to use against it. This is a place where adverse material is easy to find. In fact it is likely to come up in a Google search.

That's my take.

Rory Litwin

--

Rory Litwin

Thanks April. Bob Holley is a SRRT member and often supported SRRT resolutions on the ALA Council floor. As someone who has run into what I like to call the ALA cop, I entirely agree with Bob that making us sign a pledge before being allowed to use ALA Connect is onerous. Further, the ALA cop has also attended a SRRT meeting where he stepped in to demand a closing of debate on a valid agenda item. This was a grievous overstep of any supposed oversight authority. It is true that SRRT debate is sometimes raucous and hard-hitting, but that is part of a democratic process. Note that I am not defending any personal attacks, but I am defending the right of unfettered debate.


Original Message:
Sent: 5/30/2026 7:58:00 AM
From: April Sheppard
Subject: RE: Your Input Needed! Discussion item: SRRT's Connect spaces

All,

To give more insight into why some people don't want to use Connect, I am sharing an article on behalf of Robert P. Holley, Professor Emeritus, Wayne State University on the ALA Code of Conduct for ALA Connect and Intellectual Freedom. He may be contacted directly at aa3805@wayne.edu.

April

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: 5/28/2026 8:10:00 AM
From: April Sheppard
Subject: RE: Your Input Needed! Discussion item: SRRT's Connect spaces

Part of the original thinking in keeping it open was so that people who didn't want to use Connect or agree with the Connect Terms of Use, could still see the messages and know what's going on. 

That said, the decision was made before the current anti-library movement. Due to my political situation, I've scrubbed most mentions of my institution and SRRT together. The one exception are the older SRRT Connect posts that are searchable via Google.

April

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.