[radical librarian]

Thanks to anyone, librarian or otherwise, that can provide any information on this topic.

[radical librarian]

PING

[jocon307]

The ALA, like so many other "education" groups seems to have been taken over by the "tenured radicals" that David Horowitz wrote a book about. I'm not sure what you should do, other than search here, and elsewhere for stories about the Free Cuban Libraries and the ALA's refusal to recognize them. This is current news, you should easily be able to find stories about it.

The ALA is FAR FAR to the left, maybe you can find/join/found a better librarians organization. Librarians shouldn't be partisan, but they should certainly favor freedom, or what's a library for?

[D. Brian Carter]

I'm not a librarian, but I can do a bit of research for you. Start here:

http://www.illinoisleader.com/news/newsview.asp?c=1062
http://illinoisleader.com/opinion/opinionview.asp?c=3198

I'm not sure that the librarians in these articles can help, but certainly Kathy Valente can give you some assistance.

There appears to be at least a few people disenchanted with the ALA at the soc.libraries.talk newsgroup.

Here's a Blog for someone calling him/herself a "Libertarian Librarian"... http://librarianobservations.blogspot.com/2003_05_11_librarianobservations_archive.html

That was just a very quick, shallow search, but maybe it's a start...

[speedy]

It may be up to you to organize the opposition. It is an important task -- libraries have already become too infested with leftist ideas. They are too essential of an institution to abandon without a fight. My sister-in-law is a librarian and I see the radical garbage they send her. Keep us posted on how you make out, and let us laymen know what we can do to help.

[D. Brian Carter]

Here's some Yahoo Groups that might interest you and help you network with some like-minded folks:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christian-librarian/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/christian_schoolsTLs/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/contrarianlibrarian/messages

[kayak]

bttt

[Salem]

I've been a lurker on the ALA-OIF list for a number of years now. It's been an invaluable learning experience in "neo-left" think, that is, for a young, naive someone like me who grew up into Conservative thought.

It has been interesting to see from time to time as other Conservatives on the list, much more articulate and educated than me, came on board and "raised the flag" in the midst of that sewer of ideas. They (the ALA membership) are either overtly hostile or model a barely disguised "tolerance" that is simply patronizing to the Christian/Conservative viewpoint.

There's much to staying on board and "rocking the boat," or, you might also look for opportunity to create or join a competitive library organization to challenge them in the Arena of the War of Ideas.

Anyway, start your own "ping" list and put me on it! I'd like to follow this. Anything to see the ALA culturally marginalized like the rest of the extremist, radical left in America. :-D

[The Red Zone]

Ping

[Conan the Librarian]

I have been a Librarian since 1985. (Dang thats almost 20 years) I have never been a member of the ALA and never plan to join. We had an group membership for the local Library system, but we have recently drop that. To be honest, most of the staff members lean to the left (I don't) but, no one is jumping up and down to re-join. As for changing the leadership....good luck...we will need it.

As for the Legal Library, I ran one for 6 1/2 years. Its an interesting job (I ran a Legal Library in a prison) But I prefer working with the public. Never a dull moment

[doglover]

I am a librarian and withheld my dues from ALA for 2 years because of their porn stance. Conservatives are certainly a definite minority. Ordinarily, I would suggest simply waiting till election time and making voice heard, running yourself, or, what I like to do, simply wear a Republican symbol on my lapel at conferences. However, I believe the ALA is beyond hopeless.
Perhaps you could start a Conservative listserv discussion for similar librarians if you feel strongly enough.

[ahmedtousay1]

Well, I am one of them card carrying members of ALA and just as you are upset at the likes of Ralph Nader addressing the convention this year, I felt the same way last year when we paid $70,000 for Colin Powell to speak. The money is better served by paying a smart progressive librarian with excellent public speaking skills who can inspire professionals and support staff to promote their services in this wonderful and diverse country we live in.

Eldar Pompov

Topeka, KS

[KittyKares]

Dear Radical,

Regarding the last ALA elections, I, as a member, received a very thick brochure with the names of the nominees, information about them, and statements as to what they would do if elected. The brochure did not list party affiliations, so I had to read between the lines and hunt for clues like the names of the committees they served on to get an idea if they were leftist or liberal types. I voted for the least likely to be leftist candidate in each category that I could find.

I don't know if your library gets the "Library Hotline," but the June 23, 2003 issue states that "only 9,844 of ALA's more than 64,000 members cast votes in the election." That's a pretty small turnout. Maybe if we conservative librarians got out and voted, we could get some reasonable people elected.

But I don't think I will join next year. I was brainwashed into it, too, by library school. The dues are quite high, and I don't like having so much of my dues going towards issues such as fighting filters and the Patriot Act and supporting liberal causes and speakers.

Fortunately, at my library we're not big on discussing politics, so I don't have to listen to constant insane thinking. But on occasion the truth will out, and I do find that most of my colleagues are liberal. Living in California, I don't think I could escape that fact no matter what profession I would be in.

I will look into some of the Web sites for conservative librarians that others sent you. It would be refreshing to talk with other like-minded librarians.