It was certainly not my intention last week in urging folks (of all sort) to
send in their committee volunteer forms to engulf us in a divisive debate
about Association backbones or committee quotas. It was merely to insure the
availability of the widest possible pool to choose from when making
committee appointments. I stand by that goal as reasonable and appropriate
for one in my current (enviable?) position, charged as I am with the
responsibility of appointing those who will do *some* (but certainly not
all) of the important work of AALL in 1996-97.
It should be understood that what has been referred to as a "Board policy"
is in fact:
(1) a policy that was endorsed in full measure by the 1988 Final Report of
the Special Committee on Committees, a group that consisted of 2 academic
law librarians, including the chair; 2 private firm librarians; 1 court
librarian; 1 county librarian; and an academic as Board liaison.
(2) not simply a "Board" policy, but an Association-wide goal, one that is
reiterated in the rationale statement of the very first strategic direction
of AALL's "Strategic Challenge, 1994-98" (a document that embodies the
issues that we *as an Association* have identified as crucial to the future
of the Association): "The diversity of type-of-library and other interests
of AALL members provides a richness of texture and educational opportunity."
Strategic Challenge, 1994-98, at 15.
(3) is not one of "quota" but actually is as described in the AALL Committee
Handbook (rev. August 1995): "Where possible, the committee membership will
reflect a balance of geography and library type. Obviously, in a small
committee, representation of each library type ... is not possible.
Moreover, because committees perform tasks which transcend georgraphical
boundaries and library types, rigid adherence to balance, while preferred,
is not required." Committee Handbook, at 2.
I agree with the characterization put forth in an earlier posting on the
committee appointment process by Margie Axtmann:
The intent is for the work of the committee to
>benefit from the diverse perspectives and experience brought by the
>membership of AALL. There is no language to suggest that a certain
>percentage of committee members should come from any sector of AALL membership.
I will not engage in a further war of words on this topic. I value the work,
contributions, and friendship of each and every member of this Association.
Period.
Finally, I do wish to thank the many individuals who did indeed respond to
my "gentle prodding" about sending in the volunteer form. The number "33"
(which someone had the temerity to suggest more properly belonged to Larry
Bird than Kareem--whoops, there goes another flame war!!) is history. The
pool is large, diverse, and still growing. AALLers unite--and are united. Yes.
With best wishes to all for a wonderful holiday season, Frank Houdek, AALL
Vice-President/President Elect (until the recall votes come in)
Frank G. Houdek
Law Library Director & Prof. of Law
Southern Illinois University School of Law
Carbondale, Illinois 62901-6803
(618)453-8788/////FAX (618) 453-8728
e-mail: houdek@siu.edu
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