Comments on: It’s the Technology, Stupid

By: K.G. Schneider

K.G. Schneider — Mon, 31 Oct 2005 02:02:21 +0000

The real question is how these decisions are made, and it’s strictly by the DRE method. Nobody knows if it’s justified or not.

By: Lorcan Dempsey

Lorcan Dempsey — Mon, 31 Oct 2005 01:16:49 +0000

Who joins ALA for the journals? Or stays in for this benefit? Or would leave if the journals were open?

And even if it were the case that people would leave, is this a reason for such policies?

I am not persuaded that ALA is more complex, but, as I say, that is beside the point I am making which is about the services on the website and the availability of the journals.

By: K.G. Schneider

K.G. Schneider — Sun, 30 Oct 2005 15:11:35 +0000

We did indeed visit online communities, at communities.ala.org … wish I could believe this could change ALA. In terms of complexity of mission, EDUCAUSE has far less legacy to worry about, and does not have the competing Four Types to bog things down (academic, public, special, etc.). Imagine EDUCAUSE organized by format: that’s ALA.

The theory behind firewalling ITAL et al is that it becomes a Member Benefit. The problem with firewalling ITAL et al is that it then does not become a showcase or a lure. It’s the Times Select rationale.

By: Lorcan Dempsey

Lorcan Dempsey — Sun, 30 Oct 2005 02:25:14 +0000

Yes .. the division journals.

The complexity of mission is arguable: research and learning are co-evolving with technology in complex ways. That is beside the point I was making though, which is about the services available and the online accessibility of the journals.

By: kgs

kgs — Sat, 29 Oct 2005 15:53:12 +0000

We’re getting an update on the online communities this afternoon… stand by!

By: kgs

kgs — Sat, 29 Oct 2005 15:20:13 +0000

This is not to excuse but to explain: ALA has a much broader and more complex mission than EDUCAUSE, and ALA is much more of a legacy organization. If you look at the EDUCAUSE tagline on its website, it says “EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology.” The information I need to complete this thought is a bit complex for me to cobble together during the meeting I’m sitting in right now, but has to do with the difference between ALA’s stated mission on its website and the traditional tagline in the handbook of organization. Some on Council advanced the idea that our tagline no longer fit us, but this was stonewalled by the usual Luddites.

By: rochelle

rochelle — Sat, 29 Oct 2005 14:56:47 +0000

Interesting points, Lorcan. I’m curious about the set of journals, though. Are you talking about the division journals, such as Public Libraries and the LITA quareterly? I’ve not viewed American Libraries as a “central venue” for US library discussion, which, I suppose supports your point.

Karen–what’s going on with the ALA online communities initiative? It’s sort of off my radar, which can’t be a good thing.

By: Lorcan Dempsey

Lorcan Dempsey — Sat, 29 Oct 2005 14:48:41 +0000

It is also the organization whose house magazine, arguably a central venue for US library discussion, languishes off-web.

It is also the organization which oversees a set of journals which languish off-web, as if not concerned with visibility, impact and influence.

Again, compare Educause who has a good website, supports a range of online community interaction, and has two useful publication (Educause Quarterly and Educause Review) online.

By: kgs

kgs — Sat, 29 Oct 2005 14:42:59 +0000

In the fall, ALA has a meeting that gathers the executive board, divisional presidents, divisional councilors, and divisional executive committees. (LITA also has a spring meeting.) For the last two years, the fall meetings have focused on the ALA Strategic Plan (just as LITA has focused on its own strategic plan). A lot of the big-picture planning and work happens at the ALA fall meetings, where we spend a lot of time… meeting!

By: rochelle

rochelle — Sat, 29 Oct 2005 14:23:17 +0000

Is there a super-secret meeting for just the ALA cool kids? I’m so out of the loop….