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The ALA is a ideological organization that advocates for open access to information and resources. Those damn communist, they always want well informed citizens

The ALA is a ideological organization that advocates for open access to information and resources. Those damn communist, they always want well informed citizens!! While we're at it someone should really buy out and shut down wikipedia! Have you seen their article on Hitler? They make him sound like a criminal!!

apparent 1y ago
This sounds like a response from someone who is not especially informed about the ALA. I work in a related field and am aware of the policy positions they have taken on lightning rod cultural issues. Perhaps you could look into this before claiming that they just want "open access to information and resources".
- 0x3444ac53 1y ago
  If that's the case, then please feel free to inform me of what policy positions they take on lightning rod issues that isn't related to their stated goal of providing open access to the public?
  - apparent 1y ago
    Drag queen story hours come to mind.
    - 0x3444ac53 1y ago
      Drag queen story hour wasn't a policy created by the ALA it was a popular program at some libraries. The ALA did create a collection of resources for Libraries that wanted to host them, but even they are clear that that is a decision made at the local level [0]. You said you were very familiar with the ALA, because you "work in a related field". It might be helpful to actually read their standards and guidelines [1]. Just in case we're talking past each other, this might also be helpful [2] [0]: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/libraries-respond-drag-queen-story-hour https://www.ala.org/advocacy/libraries-respond-drag-queen-st... [1]: https://www.ala.org/tools/guidelines https://www.ala.org/tools/guidelines [2]: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/policy https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/policy
      - apparent 1y ago
        Of course drag queen story hour isn't a policy — it's an event. And just because the ALA didn't invent it doesn't mean they haven't expressed support for it. Look, you asked what positions they've taken that aren't related to open access to the public and I answered. Now you're moving the goalposts. That's a game you can play by yourself; I am done playing along.
        pseudalopex 1y ago
        > Of course drag queen story hour isn't a policy > Look, you asked what positions they've taken that aren't related to open access to the public and I answered. These statements contradict. > And just because the ALA didn't invent it doesn't mean they haven't expressed support for it. They seemed to support it in the sense they felt they should say something after libraries and librarians were targets of protests and threats. And they seemed to see a connection between calls to ban drag queen story hour and calls to ban LGBT information and resources. I think this is correct.
        hitekker 1y ago
        No, those statements you cited don't contradict. The GP is correct that ALA has gone through mission creep, which you seem to be denying.

apparent 1y ago

This sounds like a response from someone who is not especially informed about the ALA. I work in a related field and am aware of the policy positions they have taken on lightning rod cultural issues. Perhaps you could look into this before claiming that they just want "open access to information and resources".

0x3444ac53 1y ago
If that's the case, then please feel free to inform me of what policy positions they take on lightning rod issues that isn't related to their stated goal of providing open access to the public?
- apparent 1y ago
  Drag queen story hours come to mind.
  - 0x3444ac53 1y ago
    Drag queen story hour wasn't a policy created by the ALA it was a popular program at some libraries. The ALA did create a collection of resources for Libraries that wanted to host them, but even they are clear that that is a decision made at the local level [0]. You said you were very familiar with the ALA, because you "work in a related field". It might be helpful to actually read their standards and guidelines [1]. Just in case we're talking past each other, this might also be helpful [2] [0]: https://www.ala.org/advocacy/libraries-respond-drag-queen-story-hour https://www.ala.org/advocacy/libraries-respond-drag-queen-st... [1]: https://www.ala.org/tools/guidelines https://www.ala.org/tools/guidelines [2]: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/policy https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/policy
    - apparent 1y ago
      Of course drag queen story hour isn't a policy — it's an event. And just because the ALA didn't invent it doesn't mean they haven't expressed support for it. Look, you asked what positions they've taken that aren't related to open access to the public and I answered. Now you're moving the goalposts. That's a game you can play by yourself; I am done playing along.
      - pseudalopex 1y ago
        > Of course drag queen story hour isn't a policy > Look, you asked what positions they've taken that aren't related to open access to the public and I answered. These statements contradict. > And just because the ALA didn't invent it doesn't mean they haven't expressed support for it. They seemed to support it in the sense they felt they should say something after libraries and librarians were targets of protests and threats. And they seemed to see a connection between calls to ban drag queen story hour and calls to ban LGBT information and resources. I think this is correct.
        hitekker 1y ago
        No, those statements you cited don't contradict. The GP is correct that ALA has gone through mission creep, which you seem to be denying.