Comments on: Nat Hentoff Renounces ALA’s Immroth Award

By: Sarah Houghton

Sarah Houghton — Thu, 29 Jan 2004 09:35:44 +0000

Karen, you are not a lone voice in the profession. Let me at least assure you of that. Kudos to Nat for doing what he believes is right, and to you for pursuing such an important issue with ALA. It is a sad day when a professional body leaves its ethics and values at their national border.

By: K.G. Schneider

K.G. Schneider — Thu, 29 Jan 2004 09:02:15 +0000

Michael, that’s your opinion–you are entitled.

I may be a lone voice on Council, and for all I know, (almost) a lone one in the profession. Time will tell. But I’m not a lone voice on this planet. As for what Nat accepted, throw Sandy Berman, Karen Schneider, John D. Berry, and a host of organizations in that pot. He’s not coming at it from the right or left, and he’s hardly a rube. Neither, for that matter, am I.

Nat is doing what he feels is appropriate to draw attention to this issue. I am, as well. You are upset by what he has done. Good–he’s reaching you.

By: Michael Golrick

Michael Golrick — Thu, 29 Jan 2004 08:36:57 +0000

Hi Karen-

I think we agree that Council and the membership of ALA are not in synch, but I think you are wrong about what the membership thinks. I spent seven years as a Chapter Councilor. I even hang out with many of the Chapter Councilors and have had a number of conversations about this topic.

For good or for ill, I think that most of the membership do not want ALA embroiled in “foreign policy” disucussions. Over seven years, that is the one consistent message I received from folks in my state. My sense from the many other Chapter Councilors, that the feelings are similar in most other states.

For a lot of ALA members this issue is right up there with “is it Council’s role or the Executive Board’s role to …. [fill in the blank].” They do care about salaries, library funding, protecting civil rights which are being eroded by legislation like the USA PATRIOT Act, and many other topics which ALA Council has discussed.

I arrived at Midwinter prepared to abstain on all issues related to Cuba, but was pursuaded by the hard work of the task force to support the report they issued in the form in which they issued it.

Mr. Hentoff, has lowered himself in my opinion by accepting the position esposed by a group with a political agenda without close examination.

By: John D. Berry

John D. Berry — Thu, 29 Jan 2004 08:29:42 +0000

Karen,
As a fellow ALA Councilor, (Councilor at Large), I regret that I could not be present to speak to this issue, and show a little backbone by voting with other Councilors, who voted for a call for release.
While I do not agree in all areas with many of my colleagues, this contradictory hypocrisy, is indeed baffling.
Out of touch with the rank and file - oh yes - big time, and not just on this issue. I couldn’t even begin to address how politically out of touch most of our professional meritocracy is, with many facets of the public.
But, after this June, (my last ALA Council session), that won’t matter, I’ll be back in the rank and file, if I even stay an ALA member at all.
John D. Berry, Assoc. Librarian, Ethnic Studies Library, UC Berkeley, ALA Councilor at Large, Past Pres. - American Indian Library Association (AILA)