|
Should I be elected, I would bring to the American
Library Association (ALA), its members, and its stakeholders my deep
passion and enthusiasm for the library field and my experiences in
education and library administration. Thirty-five years
of experience as a leader has not only
allowed me insight into ALA's challenges, but also allowed me time to
develop close associations with the incredibly talented members of ALA.
Both the insight and the associations provide me with the necessary
preparation to respond effectively to ALA's opportunities in the 21st
century.
I have categorized my platform into five major
points: the first four; Cultural
diversity, Learning, Access, and Service;
refer to the conventional objectives of American libraries. The last
point, Salary, reflects my desire to
support the increase of pay for all library workers. I truly believe
that the acronym formed by the points of my platform (C.L.A.S.S.) characterizes all who
deliver the services that make libraries an invaluable source in our
society.
Cultural Diversity
Libraries
are providing services to
increasingly diverse populations. We must ensure that diversity is
recognized and accepted. We must understand that diversity not only
includes ethnicity, but also age, gender, social class, sexual
orientation, or physical disabilities.
"Each person's map of the world is as unique as the
person's thumbprint. There are no two people alike. No two people who
understand the same sentence the same way ... so in dealing with people,
you try not to fit them to your concept of what they should be."
-- MILTON ERICKSON
Librarians
provide information and resources to teach others that “diversity can
become a resource
for enrichment rather than a source of conflict and divisiveness.”
-- CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Learning
Lifelong learning is the watchword for
library workers in the Information Century. Not only do library workers
promote lifelong learning, but they are also known for continuing their
own education. Consequently, they are equipped to offer unparalleled
principles and practices to their customers.
Thirty-three years as an educator and four years as a library
administrator have instilled in me an abiding appreciation for the
partnership and deep bond between education and practice. My many years at
the University of North Texas have provided numerous opportunities for
sharing the challenges and delights to many libraries across this great
nation.
Educators must maintain and strengthen their ties with
libraries. Entwining these
abilities and perspectives will give us the cutting edge concepts and
strong traditional values of service.
Access
The
need for equity of access -- free access for everyone to libraries and
information, is paramount. There should be no economic, ethnic, physical,
or political barriers between people and information.
We must join together
throughout the nation and around the world to ensure effective use of and
equal access to information. American libraries will play a fundamental role in applying
information to the needs of the economic, technical, political, and
natural environments.
Service
It is crucial that
practitioners and educators collaborate on clear goals, objectives, and
workable solutions to the challenges confronting the dissemination of
information. Because library workers are expected to serve our diverse
communities quickly, accurately, and effectively,
we must continue to encourage leadership, literacy, intellectual freedoms,
and privacy.
Advances in technology offer many benefits in generating and
disseminating information. However,
cooperation and coordination among those of us who are vested in libraries
and information, will be the leading force in coping with the challenges
and opportunities raised by new technology.
Management of information resources in the new millennium, funding
in the digital era, service to increasingly diverse user populations, and
salary issues are but a few of the areas where challenges and
opportunities lie.
Salary
First-class Pay For A First-class Service
I am committed to support pay equity and
better salaries for all library workers. I intend to promote programs and
funding to ensure the recruitment, education, and retention of a diverse
library work force.
-- Herman Totten |
Herman
Totten, an experienced leader in the information field for 35+
years, is Immediate Past 
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Totten
admires his 
Totten
motivates graduates to "
Totten,
a magnetic teacher, received a grant this year to create the first
ALA accredited 
