I had a thought yesterday as I was struggling to articulate what pains me so much about the American Library Association (ALA) these days, especially as I read about the special screening of Michael Moore’s latest movie and Richard Clarke’s keynote address at ALA Annual in Orlando. There is absolutely no attempt at objectivity or even-handedness that I can see in these (and other) “progressive” moves on ALA’s part. Why do I dislike ALA so much? Well, how long do you have to read the litany of reasons I articulate some of those reasons below after having been very active in at least two major sections of ALA (LITA and ALCTS) for a number of years, after dealing with ALA Publishing and also participating in a search process to fill a position within ALA. In other words, these are not just the views of an uninformed outsider, but one who has participated and been involved. I also make these statements realizing that they are generalities, there are exceptions, as always.

Anyway, back to the thought I had: ALA is much like the traditional Democratic Party. It is an attempt to be all things to all people, which falls so far short of the mark, it’s ridiculous, due in no small measure to the litany of special interests that control and influence it. It is a bloated, overly expensive organization that, in my opinion and in my experience, fails to deliver real value to its members. It has some basic societal ideals that are laudable and good (freedom to read, equal access for all, and many others), but it never seems to truly deliver on its promises. It gets so caught up in “social responsibility” issues, rabid defense against what it terms censorship, and left wing radical agendas that it tends to miss the boat entirely when it comes to confronting and dealing with many important library issues such as funding, professional development, and others.

I decided a couple of years ago to call it quits. I did not renew my membership. I couldn’t afford it anymore, I couldn’t afford to travel to ALA conferences, and I just didn’t feel right about contributing to an organization that so blatantly disregards, and even attacks, my worldview. I have many colleagues whom I admire and respect (yes, some of them are those right wing radical evangelical Christians like me whom everyone loves to pillory) who continue to maintain their membership in this organization. That’s ok, and maybe I’m not taking the right step on this one. Maybe there is a need to continue to try to work within the system to change it for the better. I don’t know. Maybe I’ll change my mind in the future, but for now, I’m content with being out of that scene.