RE: "Resolution on the Destruction of Libraries and Schools in Gaza in 2014," ALA CD#32.
As many of you may know, the above-named resolution was presented by Jane Glasby and Al Kagan, officers of the ALA SRRT (Social Responsibilities Round Table) to Council III (final of three Council sessions at ALA Midwinter Meeting in Chicago) this past Tuesday morning, February 3, 2015, for consideration by the Council of the American Library Association. Ms. Glasby and Mr. Kagan are also members of the ALA Council. After much debate back and forth where most Councillors took the floor to oppose the resolution, CD#32 was easily voted down and was therefore not passed. There's a lot more to the story, of course, but as I need to consult with several other people on piecing together the details, it will probably be a few more days before I can report at greater length on the events related to this battle at ALA Midwinter. Suffice it to say for now, several of us, on Council and not (like myself) lobbied, caucused, and spoke out forcefully against this and other proposed resolutions either drafted or edited by SRRT at this past Midwinter Meeting. For me, personally, it was a week that felt like a year! Lots of energy, sleep deprivation, attending a number of meetings, strategizing, studying, etc., but, in the end, a battle won, although much work is left to be done as SRRT is sure to propose more anti-Israel resolutions, including perhaps a divestment proposal at ALA Annual Conference in San Francisco in late June/early July. I'll follow up as soon as I get some feedback from those with whom we worked to defeat the above-cited resolution. Elliot H. Gertel Irving M. Hermelin Curator of Judaica Curator (Interim), Jewish Heritage Collection Association of Jewish Libraries-ALA Liaison Member, ALA EMIERT Executive Board Chair, EMIERT Jewish Information Committee The University of Michigan Area Programs 111-C Hatcher Graduate Library North Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1190 Phone: 734-936-2367 [email protected]
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