CCRLD Director addresses ALA concerns

DAYTON-This month, in the Columbia County Rural Library District newsletter, Interim Director Ellen Brigham addressed concerns she has heard from the community about the library's connection to the American Library Association.

First, she explained that the ALA does not dictate the policies at the Dayton library.

Brigham said, "As far as I can tell, the ALA doesn't even have sample policies for libraries to pull from. When the Library Board drafts library policies, it looks at what has worked best for other libraries and what would work best in our community."

Policies can differ between libraries as boards consider their communities' needs, though widely accepted best practices are most common.

Brigham also said the ALA does not choose the books the library purchases. Like other associations, it publishes several "best of" lists and awards, including the Alex and Pura Belpré awards.

"When purchasing books for our library, we give much more weight to reviews put out by associations such as the Library Journal, the School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, and Publisher's Weekly," said Brigham.

The Director also said librarians working at public libraries under RCW 27.04.055 rules must be certified by the ALA. She said nowhere in the law is the ALA mentioned; it says librarians must "hold a librarian's certificate issued by the state librarian or its predecessor."

"A librarian's certificate may be obtained by completing a master's degree in library science," she said.

To be certified as a public librarian in Washington, one must earn a master's of library or information sciences (MLIS) degree from a program accredited by the ALA. Washington law requires librarian certification for all public librarians or full-time professional staff working in a public library.

According to the Washington Librarian Certification 2023 Guide, the purpose of librarian certification is to uphold the standards of public libraries and ensure all public librarians are well-equipped to do their jobs.

After addressing what the ALA is not, Brigham said the association offers a comprehensive catalog of webinars and classes for librarians to continue their professional education. It also provides scholarships and grants.

"In 2022, for example, our library received a $20,000 grant," said the Director. "This money went towards such popular services as our Wi-Fi hotspot lending program. If we were not a member of the ALA, that would be $20,000 less in services we would have been able to provide for our community."

Next, Brigham characterized the organization as an advocate for legislation regarding free speech, privacy, and library funding. It is not a political organization; members include librarians across the entire political spectrum.

Community members, including Jessica Ruffcorn, have asked the board to end its connection to the ALA because of comments by the current president, Emily Drabinksi. She posted a now-deleted tweet after her election in July 2022 that made national conservative groups advocate for state libraries to break from the ALA.

The president of the ALA is elected to a one-year term, and the position is more of a spokesperson for the organization than a director of policy. The Council of the American Library Association is the actual policymaking body made up of 177 members.

The current President-elect, Cindy Hohl, will take office in the summer of 2024. Her profile from an ALA magazine article is available at https://tinyurl.com/4sxkz9kn.

"If I may speak frankly, leaving the ALA due to the words of a single one-year president would be an impulsive and short-sighted decision and would deprive our library of all the resources the ALA otherwise provides us."

The Director said the library is also a member of the Washington Library Association and the Association for Small and Rural Libraries. She said, "No library is an island, and membership in these associations gives us access to the greater community of librarians and libraries across the nation."

Again, she encouraged anyone with questions to stop by the library during her office hours, Wednesday and Friday, 3 – 5 p.m.