OLA Quarterly

The Enduring Value of Libraries In This Issue

Thoughts on Intellectual Freedom

How to Write a Best Seller

The Enduring Value of Libraries

Security in a Dangerous World: How to Make Your Library A Safer Place

Surviving or Even Thriving in Times of Crisis: Plans and Planning on the State and Local Leve l

Intellectual Freedom* An Evolving and Enduring Value of Librarianship OLAQSpring "##" Vol $ • No ' OLA Quarterly Oregon Library Association Spring 2002 http://www.olaweb.org Vol 8 • No 1 ISSN 1093-7374

The OLA Quarterly is an official publication of the Oregon Library Association. Please refer questions The Enduring Value of Libraries and input regarding the Quarterly to: Table of Contents Colleen Bell ' OLA Publications Chair Editorial Untitled Knight Library Connie Bennett Claire Ribaud 1299 University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403-1299 " '" phone 541-346-1817 Thoughts on Intellectual Freedom Surviving or Even Thriving in fax 541-346-3485 Henrietta Hay Times of Crisis: Plans and Planning on the State and Local Level [email protected] Michael Eisenberg and Danielle Miller Graphic Production: Getting Through the Wilderness Bonnie Cochrane Hirsch Tobias Weiss Design ' 7345 SW Deerhaven Drive Statue of Library Corvallis, OR 97333 How to Write a Best Seller Ann Altman phone 541-738-1897 (Excerpts from a speech given at the [email protected] Pacific Program Leadership Dinner) ' Dave Frohnmayer How Do I Paint That? Dennis Zelmer The Enduring Value of Libraries '$ Anne Van Sickle Intellectual Freedom, An Evolving and Enduring $ Value of Librarianship Security in a Dangerous World: Faye A. Chadwell How to Make Your Library A Safer Place Upcoming Cindy Gibbon Issues Summer 2002 Research You Can Use

Fall 2002 Cognitive Development and Libraries OLA Quarterly is indexed in Library Literature. Editorial

hough caught up with the rest Senator Mark O. Hatfield, as he library item—which we must balance of the nation in the drama, dedicated the new Silver Falls Library against the needs of the many who T angst, and soul-searching that building in 1997, spoke eloquently of provide our public funding. In our followed 9-11 and the subsequent the library’s role in preserving culture. Internet access policies, we attempt to anthrax scares, Oregon libraries and He cited several examples of attacks find the best balance for our commu- librarians survived the challenges of during war or genocide campaigns nities between the principle of intellec- the last six months with less radical when the deliberate destruction of tual freedom and the community’s life-wrenching change than we’ve libraries was undertaken so as to responsibility to protect its children. seen elsewhere. We’ve had fewer attack a tangible essence of an enemy I have requested two types of dramatic career moves, divorces, and culture. I was reminded of his re- contributions in this issue. The first other extreme changes. Many indi- marks in the aftermath of 9-11 as we type asks various artists to reflect on viduals I’ve talked to have expressed struggled, as a nation, as individuals, the value of libraries in light of the a renewed commitment to the pur- and as a profession, to make meaning events of 9-11. Each artist has a special pose of their profession. of our world. Those terrorist acts connection and understanding of In part, this is because librarians were a limited, insidious sneak-attack libraries—Ann Altman is a longtime and library users have the habit of on symbolic targets. At best, they library supporter, Dennis Zelmer, information. When we face something have inspired a new perspective. Claire Ribaud, and Bonnie Hirsch all unknown, we want to learn about it, They have also prompted in response, currently work in libraries, and to understand it, and we have at hand as Faye Chadwell’s essay makes clear, octogenarian newspaper columnist the tools to do so. Information helps a symbolic war, where one of the Henrietta Hay retired after many years us manage our fear of the unknown greater dangers to our culture be- at the Mesa County Library District in by making at least part of it known. comes our own loss of balance and Colorado. The other type of contribu- Literature makes its contribution as perspective as we respond. tion looks at OLA’s Vision 2010 and well. Fiction writers and readers are Finding practical, real-life balance other library plans and preparations in constantly exploring ways to discover between two valid and opposing light of the challenges of 9-11. Michael patterns in life and to create meaning principles is a lot of what the Eisenberg, Gibbon, and Chadwell from pain. librarian’s job is about. We have to discuss planning, security, and intellec- In the context of the 9-11 attack find the balance for our community tual freedom respectively. OLA Past upon our society, we can better between providing public access to President Anne Van Sickle’s essay on appreciate the enduring value of materials and providing care and the enduring value of libraries is an libraries. Words connect, share, and protection of those same materials excellent summation of what I asked inform; the written word connects over from those that would misuse and for from these talented contributors. the barriers of cultures, distances, and abuse them. We have to find the It is when we are caught up in a time, extending ideas even beyond balance, as Cindy Gibbon points out flood of change, particularly a rapid, death. Libraries, as collections of in her essay on library security, frightening change, that we clearly see writings (in whatever format), embody between providing public open space and grasp the lifeboats of our enduring these collective thoughts and memo- and ensuring the safety of that space and essential values to keep us afloat. ries of our society. Libraries, then, for library users and staff. We are Dave Frohnmayer’s essay challenges become the tool, the prism through constantly challenged by individuals us to choose to become the leaders which to reexamine ourselves, our who ask for special treatment from our profession needs. We have our culture, and our professions, to prove the library—waiving of fines, pur- sights set on a future for Oregon that life might be, as Emerson would chase requests for special interests, or libraries; our challenge now is to steer propose, “worth living.” even to buy (or steal) a favorite a flexible course to reach our goals. —Connie J. Bennett Eugene Public Library Guest Editor OLAQ 1 Thoughts on Intellectual Freedom

by Henrietta Hay or an 87-year-old couch potato, I clay tablets in Babylonia in the 21st century Retired, had a pretty wild weekend late in B.C. Later, records were kept on papyrus, Mesa County (CO) FOctober. I actually made my way then on paper, and now on the computer Public Library District across the mountains, thanks to my friend and the World Wide Web. who kindly offered to take me to the In our own country, the Boston Public annual meeting of the Colorado Library Library, established in 1848, was the first Association in Colorado Springs. As a publicly supported municipal library, and matter of fact, “offered” is not quite the the first public library to allow people to word. She and my other friends threatened borrow books and materials. This was a me with dire happenings if I did not make truly revolutionary concept at the time. It is a personal appearance at this meeting. still a revolutionary concept according to the The C.L.A. has over a hundred years of would-be censors who keep protesting it. service to the people of Colorado, and I Americans don’t agree with each other attended several of their annual meetings always, or often—or it sometimes seems, during my 25 years as a catalog librarian. ever. We belong to different organizations, But this one was special. I was due to go to different churches, read different kinds receive the Julie J. Boucher Award for of books. But there is one place where all of Intellectual Freedom. our ideas are welcome—the public library, I grew up taking freedom of speech and which welcomes free thinkers of all kinds. freedom of religion for granted. After all, You can sit in a chair in the library both are assured under the law of the United reading a trashy novel, and on one side of States. But I found that receiving an award you someone is reading Thomas Paine, and for something I believe in so deeply was on the other side someone is reading the very special, like—well, the cherry on a hot Koran. It is the only institution in America fudge sundae. It is not essential, but it sure whose sole purpose is to guard against the does make the whole thing taste better. tyranny of ignorance and conformity. Freedom is a beautiful word. It comes Today the free public library is the visible from the Old English word “freo,” meaning symbol of the First Amendment. “not in bondage, noble, glad, illustrious.” It The Code of Ethics of the American is the word upon which our country was Library Association says in part, “We uphold founded. the principles of intellectual freedom and My active interest in the cause of resist all efforts to censor library resources.” Intellectual Freedom has been growing for And then came September 11. We are now most of my life. It was probably at Colo- living in a dangerous time—dangerous to us rado University that I first really began to physically, and dangerous to the civil understand the First Amendment to the liberties which are the foundation of our Constitution. country. We are in a new kind of war and And it is only logical that my deep must defend our freedoms while defending respect for Intellectual Freedom matured our country, else there is nothing to defend. during 25 years working in the Mesa On September 12 a broad coalition of County Public Library in Grand Junction, civil liberties groups, political, religious Colorado. In the eleven years since my and related organizations was established retirement, writing a weekly newspaper because of concern over threats to civil column has given me a voice. liberties in this time of war. More than 150 Human beings have instinctively organizations, including, of course, the wanted to record and preserve their history American Library Association, 300 law 2 and their thoughts since cave people professors and 40 computer scientists started drawing pictures on their walls. The issued a statement “In Defense of Free- earliest known library was a collection of dom.” Their statement says in part, OREGON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

“We need to ensure that actions by “We affirm the right of peaceful our government uphold the principles dissent, protected by the First of a democratic society, accountable Amendment now when it is most government and international law, at risk.” and that all decisions are taken in a manner consistent with the Now more than ever it is the responsi- Constitution. bility of libraries to protect our freedom of ideas—and the freedom to express them. “We can, as we have in the past, in Intellectual Freedom is not just two words. times of war and peace, reconcile the It is what America stands for. requirements of security with the demands of liberty.

Getting Through the Wilderness

She gathered words to shelter her children. Do you have a warm coat, clean handkerchief, enough strong words to bring you through dark?

The wordless crash like bears through stark bushes, or mouse-like creep, fearing war’s death in large paws. Moles tunnel blindly searching for grubs.

She gathered words, held like small lanterns. Wrapped in thought and warm coats, adding our words, we move by that light from point to faint point.

She gathered courage to make the last passage. Our children grow older. While wars flare anew, they take up their words, pick their way from our trail.

by Dave Frohnmayer … As are so many things following Sep- tales of Agatha Christie. President, tember 11, this talk lies in the shadows of In the 30s, Faulkner brought us Light in University of Oregon terrorism and its aftermath. August, Hemingway gave us Death in the And in that shadow lie many ques- Afternoon, and John Steinbeck took us tions: What do we do, as a nation and a through the best-laid plans Of Mice and Men. people, when no one really cares any In the 40s Ernie Pyle wrote This Is more who wants to be a millionaire, when Your War, and George Orwell wrote the true meaning of “survivor” has put to Animal Farm. shame anything television could offer as By the 1950s some of our tastes were drama, and when the most ordinary of turning just a bit as we read Ray Bradbury’s citizens have proven to be the strongest Martian Chronicles and Ian Fleming’s links to human greatness? Casino Royale. Beyond our national response— We’re half way through the century actually as a vital cord in that response— now. And I’m really not trying to point out most of us are asking questions and any deep or meaningful trends—other than searching for answers in ways far deeper, that the writing and the reading of particu- far more personal and far-reaching than lar times seem to accurately reflect the we have in some time. hopes and fears of that time. So it is in that frame of reference, that By the 1960s, our hopes and fears were shadow, that I offer these thoughts on so varied as to see us reading everything “writing your own best seller”—hoping in from Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s the process to offer some light … to light Nest to Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls. the way, if just a bit. … And in the 70s we embraced a seagull There are many amazing facets of our named Jonathan Livingston, a warren of society that one can look at that will give rabbits living in Watership Down and you clues as to where our culture is generations of African Americans whose going—where we are going. … true story was told in Alex Haley’s Roots. ... Take a look at best-selling books, past By the 80s our concerns were way out and present. I think we can learn something there and deep inside as we read Carl Sagan’s about ourselves by looking at this list. Cosmos, as well as Jane Fonda’s Workout And I think, in the process, we might Book—although some things never change, also be able to see what it is that we value as we pored over several books by Stephen enough to put it into our own best-seller, King, Tom Clancy and Danielle Steele. which—written or not—is the life we each And as the century ended, an interest- live—the leadership we offer in that life— ing thing began to happen. As we started the book we work on every day. to look ahead into a new century and a Best sellers of the past have included a new millennium, we also looked back. We wide variety of titles, reflecting of course their looked back at Ken Burns’ The Civil War, own times and the people of those times. and Scarlet, the sequel to Gone With the In the last century ... each decade Wind. But we also looked ahead, reading brought its own particular books. The first all we could about the future in Megatrends decade of the century gave us Jack 2000, all we could about our health in London’s The Call of the Wild and Upton Eight Weeks to Optimum Health, and all Sinclair’s The Jungle. about money in Wealth Without Risk. The teens produced a book called Here we are now—the 21st century ... America’s Coming of Age and another, The And as we sit here this evening, 4 Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, that looking forward to the leadership opportu- reflected the growing challenge of that age. nities—opportunities that will offer a The 1920s brought us the jazz tales chance for each of us to make a differ- of F. Scott Fitzgerald and the mystery ence—it is worthy to look at ourselves, see OREGON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

where we have been and decide just And then there’s Ballot Titles In where we want to go. Oregon: The Secrets to Life as Gleaned from What kind of best sellers do we want Oregon Ballot Titles—with a foreword by our lives to write? Bill Sizemore—a book of several volumes. Or if someone wrote a best seller about As you see, the books we read come our lives, what book would it be like? from all directions, they entertain, inform, Pride and Prejudice? inspire, make us laugh, make us think, The Odyssey? make us look back and look forward, as Heart of Darkness? well as look inward and outward. Pilgrim’s Progress? There are two types of books being The Trial? published and selling quite well that Being and Nothingness? impress me—and that I think have some Or maybe something a bit more relevance on what I am trying to say. ... contemporary … One of these is the book that takes a Misery? (Stephen King) seemingly small incident in history— Waiting to Exhale? (Terry McMillan) perhaps a small or simple thing done by Bag of Bones? (Stephen King) an individual or group of people—and Or A Man in Full? (Tom Wolfe) shows how it has made a real difference in There’s just about something for every our world today. life. Even our current best sellers give us a Two books of this sort that stand out lot of leeway—and say something about are How the Irish Saved Civilization and where our society is today. Longitude. The number one best seller this past The first book, by Thomas Cahill, tells summer in the non-fiction hardback category of how a small group of monks on a small is a book about a horse—Seabiscuit. island in the Atlantic kept some of Maybe it’s safer nowadays to look civilization’s key writings from being back through the life of a famous horse destroyed and then spread out across the than through the lives of famous people— continent of Europe teaching from these and you’re less likely to get sued ... sources and shaping the making of the The advice best sellers are of particu- Western mind. lar interest and range from the number The second book, Longitude, written one The Prayers of Jabez, a real surprise by Dava Sobel, tells the story of 18th from a publisher in Sisters, to books about century John Harrison and his five-decade improving things at work (Who Moved My long quest to create a timepiece that could Cheese), improving your body (Body for be accurately used to determine longitude Life) and improving your baby (Secrets of aboard sailing ships. It was his success that the Baby Whisperer). ... truly opened the world to more than Given this variety of best sellers, I’ve random exploration. had a few ideas myself that I’ve been What I like about these books is the playing around with: same thing I like about some of my Winning Friends and Influencing People heroes—John and Abigail Adams, While Running a University. It will be filled Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt. ... with lessons learned from a fictitious college They are stories of people who may not president on the utter frustration of trying to have at first realized it, but most every- keep all your constituents happy all the time. thing they did had meaning and pur- Great Recipes from the Chicken pose—most everything they did mattered. Dinner Circuit—a compilation of all the Those nameless monks in the 5th, 6th 5 ways I’ve been served chicken during the and 7th centuries who cared for the texts course of four decades in public life. Sure to be a best seller. See How to Write a Best Seller page 23 The Enduring Value of Libraries

by Anne Van Sickle n the morning of September 12, the power to create and support our Library Director, 2001, I found a message on my communities—local, national, and global. McMinnville Public Library O desk from the librarian who had Last week a message appeared on the worked the reference desk the prior evening. PNLA listserv that the Governor’s budget in “People just wanted to talk with me,” she the State of Washington included the wrote. “I began to wonder whether I was proposal to close the Washington State really doing my job … and then I realized Library. Close … as in SHUT DOWN! An that one of the primary jobs of a public excellent letter from the State Librarian and library is that of building community!” the President of the State Library Commis- I could not agree more with her sion listed the benefits and services that assessment of her “job,” and I strongly would be lost by this extreme action. The suspect that people who staffed public results would include the elimination of the service desks in all types of libraries on following services: research and informa- September 11 of this past year experienced tion services to the legislature and state the same reaction. People came to the agency staff; support to local communities library to talk, to wonder, to find both to establish and develop their own public information and empathy. Libraries are libraries; the opportunity to receive $3 welcoming. By providing trained staff and million dollars a year for the improvement open access to information, they help us of libraries in the state through federal make sense of that which is beyond our support; access to special collections held experience. Most of all, libraries are “safe” only at the State Library; facilitated access places to ask questions because they to government information online; and reflect the twin freedoms of information centrally-supported library service to state and expression. institutions. Any library director faced with In the time since September 11, cuts in services can empathize with the libraries across the nation have been Washington State Library staff and probably reaffirming their role as central to the life add to the litany of losses. of their communities. They have held focus As powerful as this factual list is, what groups and discussion groups, created resonates with me is that this state agency programs to support the ability of people was established in 1853 as part of the to care for themselves during an emer- “Organic Act of the Territory of Washing- gency, and developed gateways to useful ton,” and that its counterpart can be found information about the crisis. Some libraries in every other state in the union and many expanded their hours; others kept their U.S. territories. The Washington State televisions and radios tuned to late- Library is part of a state and national breaking news at public service desks. heritage that encompasses the mission of Despite the justifiable focus librarians all types of libraries. It is a legacy focused place on being slightly ahead of the curve on supporting a statewide community of in the new worlds of information access users, and the information provided by the opened by current technologies, there is Library is an essential component of more to libraries than information. Librar- decision making for legislators and state ies offer the history of ideas, the gift of agency staff, and a means to encourage imagination, the comfort of stories that library development throughout the state. expand our vision and teach us to hope. The concept of lifelong learning is a key Uniquely American in concept, the public element in the development of an educated library was designed to be a source of free electorate. Lifelong learning begins with 6 education for an immigrant society and the storytelling and an emphasis on reading cornerstone of the democratic process. readiness for preschoolers. It expands into Education is the key to an informed formal education in schools, colleges and electorate. It is still the voters who hold universities; it finds expression in adults OREGON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

browsing the stacks of public libraries; and purpose and mission to our governing it is represented by legislators who make boards and commissions that we tend to better decisions about pending bills based validate our libraries numerically: reference on information provided by state libraries. questions answered, circulation statistics, The idea that “it’s all on the Internet” is no programs offered. substitute for the skill of professional But there is romance in the historical librarians in compiling and providing support by libraries for First Amendment authority for information, and then classify- freedoms. There is mystique in the unique ing it to provide easy access to library users. place libraries have earned in their role as Information … education … vision … community builders. There is even a imagination … ideas. These are all great mythic quality to the prevailing idea that concepts, valid components of a library. libraries are somehow “good”—right up Each of these concepts supports the role of there with motherhood and apple pie. As the library in the building of community. we expand our offerings and create new But there is another, equally valid and opportunities for our users, we would do long-term role for libraries. When I was in well to remember that while the tools we graduate school, there was a young use change, our enduring value lies in our woman in my cataloging class who had ability to serve and sustain our communi- dropped out of school to “find herself” by ties, to continue to provide “safe” places spending a year on the crew of a Turkish for discussion and inquiry, and to connect sailing ship. As someone who loves stories people to ideas that expand their imagina- in whatever form, I was enchanted by her tion and vision in ways that may, ulti- spirit of adventure, but I remember her mately, facilitate a better world. most for something she said in class one day when the rest of us were stumbling through the more archaic and convoluted principles of the classification system. “I used to sit on the deck of my ship at night,” she mused. “I would look at the moon and the stars, and I found myself Ebsco Ad thinking of the enormity of what librarians try to do. We classify, organize and make available the entire world of ideas and information, what has been known and all that ever will be known. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I could imagine no more romantic career for myself. Think about it! The doors we open!” She thought for a moment and added, “So, OF COURSE, I came back to library school.” In our pragmatic world, words like “romance,” “mystique,” and “myth” are often viewed through the eyes of skepti- cism. We see ourselves as practical, focused, and technologically astute professionals, and we work diligently to diffuse 7 the stereotype of the “idealistic librarian” many of us have tried to outlive. Most of us spend so much time justifying our Security in a Dangerous World: How to Make Your Library A Safer Place

by Cindy Gibbon nsuring the safety of our customers service from our FSOs. Last year we added a Central Library Director, and staff is mostly about preparing second FSO to provide additional coverage Multnomah County E for everyday incidents and emergen- and the safety of a back-up officer. While Library cies. In Oregon, that includes disaster neither deputized nor armed, our FSOs do planning for fires, floods and earthquakes. receive some of the same training as sworn Libraries must also be prepared to handle sheriff’s deputies. The Sheriff also assisted us criminal activity, domestic disputes that spill by contacting the Portland Police Bureau to over into the workplace, behaviors stemming assure them they were welcome on County from untreated mental illness, and a variety “turf” when they were needed to assist with of other incidents that are common to all an incident at the Library. public spaces and workplaces. In making We began a series of dialogs with supervi- our preparations, we balance our value of sors in Central Precinct and at Portland Patrol open access with the value of safety. Inc., a private firm providing uniformed On September 11, 2001, I was thankful officers who patrol downtown on behalf of that Multnomah County Library had given the Downtown Business Association, and careful attention to security issues over the last respond to incidents that may not require full several years. While nothing could have police intervention. Our unarmed FSOs need prepared us for the cataclysmic shock of that reliable back-up when serious incidents and day, we had in place the policies, procedures crimes occur, but our relationships with those and training we needed to cope with the few agencies were in poor repair. Talking through security incidents that did arise as a result. past issues and problems, laying out our needs and showing that we are determined to take Time to Get Serious about Security control of our security issues has greatly About a year after our move into the reno- improved cooperation and response. vated Central Library we realized that security We used our neighborhood DA from incidents were increasing, and we clearly the Multnomah County District Attorney’s weren’t handling them well. We had a Facility Office as a “translator” and go-between in Security Officer (FSO) contracted through the negotiating the relationship between the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office on duty Library and the law enforcement commu- during most open hours, and rules of behav- nity. The library needed to learn what law ior and exclusion guidelines in place. Still, enforcement and the court system required staff members complained they felt threatened from us in order to follow through appro- and intimidated by library users who were priately on incidents and crimes at the allowed to act out repeatedly. Dozens of library. Both the DA and our counsel from homeless teens were hanging out on the the County Attorney’s Office helped us benches outside the library, blocking access balance the Library’s need to preserve to the sidewalk and falling victim to drug access to information but still insure the dealers and adults looking for sex with an safety and security of all library users by underage prostitute. An after-hours tagging enforcing appropriate standards of conduct. incident left graffiti eight feet tall along the We’ve replicated this successful partner- entire south wall of the building. It was time ship throughout the library system. Each to get serious about managing library security. branch leader now has a working relationship with the branch’s neighborhood DA and Partnerships for Security the local community policing representative. Taking control of library security required Since branches have no uniformed security building partnerships and alliances within personnel, they need to feel comfortable 8 the community. We met with the Sheriff to calling for police back-up and to know that make him aware of our growing security back-up will be there. issues, and staff worked with supervisors in Across the street from Central Library, the Facility Security unit to insure quality New Avenues for Youth, an agency that Untitled by Claire Ribaud Artist and Youth Services Manager, Eugene Public Library

9 Vol No • SPRING

helps homeless kids get off the streets, is understands a rule so that he or she can another important partner. They’ve worked choose to follow it rather than break it. with us by making sure the kids in their When users won’t follow the rules after program know they’ll lose services if they they have been explained, or when they hang out in front of the library—and that commit a crime in the library, they lose their they are welcome here as long as they library privileges for a period of time. We come inside. They can observe the “action” follow a set of detailed guidelines for exclu- in front of our building, and they can call if sion, based on the severity of the violation and they see inappropriate activity occurring. In the age of the violator, to insure consistency. return, we’ve stepped up patrols outside the library to actively discourage criminal Consistent Documentation exploitation of other homeless kids who and Enforcement may be hanging out on our benches. To be effective, the library’s security program We also rely on Project Respond, an requires continuous attention and monitoring. agency devoted to serving the chronically In addition to the two Facility Security mentally ill and homeless community, as Officers who patrol Central Library during all well as CHIERS, a transportation and detox open hours, one member of the management service for persons under the influence of team is always on duty as Person in Charge alchohol or drugs. (PIC) of the building. The PIC carries a cell After-hours security also merited our phone that also works as a two-way radio to attention. The nighttime tagging incident, the FSOs. The PIC is available to respond to which wasn’t discovered and reported until staff concerns and to provide advice and staff arrived for work the following day, back-up for the FSOs. The PIC signs off on proved the private security firm patrolling all exclusions and assists the FSOs by our building at night wasn’t meeting photographing the subject of the exclusion standards. We installed a check-point with a digital camera. system around the perimeter of the building Branches also use the PIC system. Each where the night guards must clock in on branch has a cadre of staff members trained their rounds. Security cameras and good on the rules of behavior and exclusion lighting outside the building also help policy. These individuals have legally discourage illegal activity after hours. designated authority to enforce the rules and sign off on exclusions when necessary. Stronger Rules and Exclusion Guidelines Good documentation of all incidents and Building upon these partnerships, we exclusions is critical. The FSOs, the PIC and updated and strengthened the library’s any staff person involved in or witness to a Rules of Behavior and Guidelines for security incident writes a report that becomes Exclusion. Working with attorneys certainly part of the record of that incident recorded on lengthened the process, but their collabo- a multi-part form. The exluded person gets a ration created documents that serve the copy telling them what rules they have interests of open access and due process broken, the length of their exclusion, the as well as enforceability. locations of all library properties from which Our rules of behavior are available on they are excluded, and how the exclusion the library’s Web site. We post them in our appeal process works. The FSOs and the buildings and keep them handy at public library also get copies. The form is very service desks, both in complete form and convenient at Central Library where we handle as a brief-form bookmark. Staff and many incidents. Alternatively, we also issue 10 security guards distribute them liberally exclusion letters when a letter is a more when they are in conversation with library appropriate means of communication. The users about behavior issues. Our first digital photo is another important piece of priority is to make sure the customer documentation, helping FSOs and staff to OREGON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

recognize persons who have been excluded new exclusion is issued. Notice of expired and make sure they do not trespass on library exclusions is also sent via e-mail. property during their exclusion period. We also note the exclusion in the In order to insure due process, exclu- patron’s library circulation account record. sion policies must provide for appeal. At Many a circulation clerk has spotted an Multnomah County Library, appeals must be excluded customer because they remem- addressed in writing to the Library Director. bered the digital photo or were alerted by a Good incident documentation helps the special message in the circulation record. Director make an appropriate decision in case of an appeal. Since we actively man- Evacuation Planning age security in our library, we expect to go Evacuation planning was a key to our to court on occasion. We do not hesitate to preparedness in the aftermath of September prosecute persons who break the law in the 11. As I drove to work that morning my first library or who trespass after they have been thought was that we might well have a excluded. Occasionally, an excluded user bomb threat at the library that day. The challenges us in court. Again, good docu- threat didn’t actually materialize until several mentation is key to a successful prosecution days later. Meanwhile, we had insured that or to sustaining the library’s position. every public service desk and location with an outside phone line had a copy of the FBI Emphasis on Staff Training guidelines for handling bomb threats. Staff training is another key to safety and security in the library. Multnomah County Continuous Update and Reevaluation Library offers a number of training opportu- Managing library security is a continuous nities to help staff manage difficult customer improvement process. At Multnomah interactions and administer the library’s Rules County Library, managers most closely of Behavior and Guidelines for Exclusion. involved in handling security issues meet “Speaking of Security” introduces all staff regularly to review the success of the members to the library’s rules and provides program, to evaluate current needs, and to basic training for dealing with and docu- consider and implement any necessary menting security incidents. PICs receive changes to policies or procedures. special training to perform their duties. We The great challenge of library security will engage consultants to provide staff training always be to make the most open of public on managing potentially volatile or violent institutions as safe as it can possibly be. We situations and dealing with persons whose make our libraries as accessible as possible behavior is affected by untreated mental when we welcome everyone who is willing to illness, which helps staff feel better-prepared follow reasonable rules of behavior. We make to handle incidents when they arise. In the them as safe as possible when we enforce case of a particularly traumatic event, we use those rules with consistency and compassion. the County’s Employee Assistance Program The Library Administration and Man- to provide a critical incident debriefing for agement Association, a division of the the staff involved. American Library Association, published library security guidelines applicable to System-wide Communication libraries of all sizes in June 2001. Available The excluded patron Web site is the most on the Web (http://www.ala.org/lama/ popular destination on our intranet. When publications/index.html), these guidelines, a library user is excluded for behavior prepared by LAMA’s Buildings and Equip- violations, the incident reports and the ment Section Safety and Security in Librar- 11 digital photo or a physical description are ies Committee, are a good place to start if posted on this site. A global e-mail you are developing or updating security informs staff to check the site when a procedures for your library. Surviving or Even Thriving in Times of Crisis: Plans and Planning on the State and Local Level

by Michael Eisenberg Introduction: Libraries, events, it is crucial to include all members Director, Planning, and September 11 of the organization in the planning process. and Danielle Miller One reason that libraries were able to react In order to have total buy-in and effective- in meaningful ways so quickly following ness, each individual needs to feel a part of The Information School, the September 11 disaster is that they have the plans that directly affect their well- University of Washington a clear sense of vision, role and function. being as well as that of the organization. As information-based organizations, During the planning process you may also libraries recognize the need to establish find that many people have skills and planning processes and program plans. experience that will prove invaluable Plans and planning make a difference, should crisis ever hit. especially in times of crisis. Literature in the field of psychology The ability to plan for uncertain also notes other important effects of pre- events should be considered a critical part disaster planning and emergency prepared- of the overall planning process for any ness, such as increased feelings of self- institution or organization. A disaster efficacy and self-reliability in individuals. recovery and business continuity (DRBC) The ability to take part in the planning plan will allow an organization to return to process and be informed and educated normal functioning as quickly as possible about possible outcomes and after-effects after a disaster of any sort has disrupted of any type of crisis or disaster acts as a the organization. sort of stress inoculation (Dunning, 1990). According to Lester Digman (Digman, Stress inoculation in the form of disaster 2001), DBRC planning has four major awareness and continuity planning will benefits: it helps organizations get into a help to minimize stress and emotional better position to cope with unexpected strain during and after times of crisis. developments; it reduces indecision, uncertainty, and delays when something Plans and Planning unusual happens; an organization with a Planning within an organization is of continuity plan is more likely to respond critical importance because planning rationally to an unplanned situation than processes are the central mechanisms for an organization without one; and, continu- converting inputs into desired outputs. ity planning forces people to think in Inputs are the building blocks of planning, terms of multiple possible outcomes, rather e.g., personnel, budget, facilities, and than just the most likely outcome. When collections. Outputs are the services, planning for emergencies or unexpected programs, and products that organizations strive to provide. Processes convert inputs to outputs. More specifically, a planning process consists of a series of steps deliber- ately taken to achieve goals and objectives. There are different levels of planning, particularly comprehensive and opera- When planning for emergencies tional. Comprehensive planning refers to or unexpected events* it is long-term overall, global program or institution planning and it is common to crucial to include all members plan out 3 to 5 years. A rolling 5-year plan of the organization begins with a detailed plan involving steps and objectives and moves to a more broad in the planning process- 12 and general plan projecting into the OREGON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

future. This is called a “rolling plan” Then, priorities are blocked out, and the because at the end of year 1 there is activities to be completed are determined. again a projection 5 years into the future with the former year 2 becoming the new Example #1: The Information School year 1 and so on. The point is that of the University of Washington planning is an ongoing process, which At the University of Washington, we used requires continuous revision and re- both comprehensive and operational evaluation. A rolling plan does not imply planning to transform from a relatively never reaching one’s goals. In fact, at any small, narrowly-focused unit with limited period, one should be able to look back scope and resources to one that is signifi- and determine whether original objec- cantly larger, broad-based, and well- tives, steps, and goals were attained. supported. Our comprehensive planning Operational planning targets specific method is comprised of the following areas or subsystems of the organization. parts: vision, analysis, planning, imple- Ultimately, the concern is with day-to-day mentation, and assessment. “Planning in operations, services, and functions. an organization must originate from the Operational planning is short-term in long-range goals, objectives, strategies, scope and oriented to implementation of priorities, and information needs of that strategies and activities. Once established, organization.” (Tom, 1991) Taking that operational plans are less flexible than into account, the Information School comprehensive plans as they help create looks at the environment for which we the important structures that keep things are planning and implements the above flowing smoothly on a daily basis. steps in 5-year rolling increments. The 5- Whichever planning method is the year plan incorporates broad goals for focus of concern, major areas should be each year, with review and revision of the blocked out with broad strokes preceding plan and goals each year as well. The penciling in details. This approach in- administrative planning moves into volves plans within plans: master plans operational planning when it lays out and subplans. After priorities and overall tasks for meeting each comprehensive tasks are determined, details for each level goal and acknowledges the completion of can be spelled out. specific tasks within set time frames. The converse approach to planning is Slightly over three years ago, the a linear or sequential one. Here, activities Graduate School of Library and Informa- are taken in order, regardless of priority or tion Science had one degree program, 150 consideration of components within students, and ten faculty. The 1996 “Fu- components. While appealing for its tures Report” offered a new direction for simplicity, linear planning often leads to the School that was expanded and acceler- unfinished projects. For example, consider ated by incoming director, Mike Eisenberg. the process of weeding a library collection. The vision was to become a broad-based Generally, the approach is sequential or information school, with an expanded linear: start with the first classification Master of Library and Information Science section and continue on to the next program, additional academic programs on section. Unfortunately, most efforts rarely the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral get beyond the first few classes. Treating levels, and with a major research program. the problem from a broad perspective The School also aimed for extensive might first involve a sampling of the relations within the communities of the collection to determine problem areas. Northwest; to be known for “high quality 13 Vol No • SPRING

the information needed in times of great tragedy and uncertainty. We teach people to find information, to evaluate it, to organize it, and above all, how to be information professionals. In light of the We try not to ask whether September 11 tragedy, the School held a we would have been prepared forum on freedom of information moder- ated by Dr. Stuart Sutton, and with partici- should the disaster have pation from several other iSchool faculty struck here* but rather members. Dr. David Levy (faculty member and native New Yorker) made a site visit to to ensure we are prepared look at the situation in terms of the docu- for the future- ments left behind and the documents produced for those lost, and has made several presentations. We also have faculty and students collaborating with several and high impact.” Accomplishing this libraries on putting together information vision required: analyzing the existing resource pages. structure and makeup of the School; The financial fallout from September considering the needs and demands of 11 is also affecting us. Just as in other students, professional organizations, and states, the State of Washington is looking the community; and discovering the at serious revenue shortfalls with resulting nature, amount and sources of resources cuts in support across the board—includ- and support. ing for the University of Washington. To We also had to capture the attention deal with this, the School is again falling of the University administration, and we back on its strategic plan and using did so by developing clear and direct plans collective planning skills to consider and communicating those plans broadly alternatives and to project programs and and frequently. (We still do this. See http:// services and the requisite financial and www.ischool.washington.edu/5yrplan.htm other resources. With this solid base, we for the current version of the iSchool plan). are able to effectively interact with the We planned for the revision of the University’s process of budget analysis and MLIS program and for the implementation decision-making. Although this doesn’t of new degree programs on the Bachelors necessarily ease the pain, it does ensure and PhD levels. We then hired the neces- that decisions are based on systematic and sary support staff and faculty to put these thoughtful plans as well as articulation and programs in place. At the same time, we consideration of alternatives. engaged in constant assessment and Finally, on an internal, operational reassessment of our programs, our struc- level, we are reevaluating our own disas- ture, and our overall vision. Our plan has ter preparedness plan. Something that, been rolling along with new goals and quite honestly, was inadequate. We have objectives always on the horizon. put together a DRBC plan, compiled September 11 had a profound effect contact information, and ordered more on the Information School in terms of a first-aid kits, supplies, and emergency reevaluation of its role and plans. Looking devices. We will be holding a first aid comprehensively, we view ourselves in a class and have designated outside meeting 14 position to understand and make available areas, appointed emergency floor war- OREGON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

dens, and have scheduled drills. We try responding to the Governor. A document not to ask whether we would have been was quickly drafted which outlined all the prepared should the disaster have struck services provided by the Washington State here, but rather to ensure we are pre- Library as well as details on the nature of pared for the future. services, usage, cost, alternatives and their costs, and other considerations when Example #2: Washington— appropriate. The rapid response and Designing Our Future detailed summary of alternatives and cost As we write this article, the Washington breakdowns was only possible due to the State Library is under a cloud. In response existing strategic and operational infra- to severe, statewide economic difficulties, structure in place within the State Library. the governor has proposed to eliminate The existence of planning processes the Washington State Library. This would and plans is already paying off. There is eliminate a range of programs and services increased public awareness that libraries including centralized library research and and library services and programs information services for the Legislature and throughout the state would be severely state agency staff, state support to local damaged by the Governor’s proposal. communities to establish and develop their While the future is in doubt, there is own library services, access to integrated hope that the Washington State Library special collections, facilitated access to will survive this current threat. What is not government information online, and in doubt is that the State Library would supported library services at state residen- have a very difficult time in even building tial institutions. a case without the statewide plans and the In mobilizing to react to this untenable planning processes in place. proposal, the library community in Wash- ington is able to draw on the statewide Summary—Lessons for Individual library plan developed by the State Library Libraries of All Kinds and the various statewide planning groups, The purpose of planning and plans is particularly the Library Commission and to connect tasks, affiliations, and timelines the Library Council of Washington. The to best achieve an organization’s goals. Library Commission is appointed by the The benefits of having a solid plan in Governor, and provides oversight and place are numerous and include im- approval for expenditure of LSTA funds. In proved performance, higher productivity, recent years, the Library Commission has better decision-making, and happy, become increasingly active and engaged. responsible, confident personnel. It is The Commission is advised, in turn, by the important to remember that implementing Library Council of Washington, an organi- comprehensive and operational plans for zation representing the various constituen- an organization is not a one-time event— cies of the library community and general it is an ongoing process. Libraries and public. The Library Council, along with library communities in the Pacific North- members of the State Library staff, does west are among the strongest and most the hard work of nurturing new ideas and vibrant in the country. Incorporating bringing them to proposal stage, develop- strategic planning into all library and ing plans, and reviewing various programs. information based organizations will All three of these elements—the plan ensure that we stay on track and at the and the two organizations—were impor- top of our game, especially in the uncer- tant sources of information and action for tain times to come. 15 Statue of Library © Ann Altman 2002 Artist, Silverton, Oregon

16 Musician amd Administrative Assistant, Silver Falls Library District

17 Intellectual Freedom, An Evolving and Enduring Value of Librarianship

by Faye A. Chadwell ar. Our society’s rhetoric may would allow a library time to respond or Head of Collection trivialize this emotionally contest the court’s order. Department, W packed word in the absence of Even prior to the PATRIOT Act, the the violence, aggression, hate, loss of life, temptation to abrogate patron’s rights University of Oregon and destruction typically associated with the existed. One librarian in Florida recognized realities of combat. The war on drugs. The some suspected hijackers as possible library war against poverty. The war on crime. The users. When she called to inform local law term seems inappropriate, even acknowl- enforcement officials, she broke state law edging how tackling major social issues protecting the confidentiality of library requires intense resources and bravery. For patrons, not to mention a tenet of ALA’s many, President Bush’s pre-invasion Code of Ethics: “We protect each library rhetorical use of “the war against terrorism” user’s right to privacy and confidentiality missed the mark by a “country mile.” with respect to information sought or Arguing about rhetoric in these times received and resources consulted, bor- seems akin to arguing about the wetness rowed, acquired or transmitted.” of rain in Oregon. Let’s focus attention In this post 9-11 climate of intolerance instead on the effects of our government’s and suspicion, it becomes easier to ignore activities to counter terrorism at home and ethical standards when there is a difference abroad. These actions, including amassing of opinion. With statements somewhat military forces, passing legislation, issuing reminiscent of “red-baiting” eras, fellow directives, reallocating resources, or citizens, colleagues, and administrators marshaling moral, intellectual, and patriotic have accused dozens of professors across support, impinge upon us, our libraries, the country of being “un-American” for and the communities of users we serve. speaking out against the U.S. presence in We must contemplate the consequences of Afghanistan. Stories like the FBI investiga- what we may be asked to do. tion of the small Art Car Museum of Have the events and immediate Houston, Texas are evocative of govern- aftermath of 9-11 changed us, our profes- ment intimidation during the McCarthy era. sion, our work environments, our universe? Since when can artwork protesting a former Unequivocally, yes. Texas governor’s death row reputation be Consider just the implications of the deemed a threat to that ex-governor and USA PATRIOT Act (“Uniting and Strength- current President’s well-being, or be ening America by Providing Appropriate equated with domestic terrorism? Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct In this atmosphere, even libraries cannot Terrorism” Act). With virtually no debate remain neutral. Consider the consequences and no hearings in Congress, both Houses of the Government Printing Office’s order, approved an act allowing law enforce- based on a USGS request, that federal ment officials greater power for fighting depositories destroy a CD-ROM survey on domestic terrorism. When President Bush reservoirs and dams. This information could signed the PATRIOT Act into law on be used to endanger the public, but it could October 26, 2001, he authorized actions also be used to inform the public about the that have caused major concern for safety of nuclear reactors and chemical librarians and library associations regard- facilities in their neighborhoods. Library ing privacy and confidentiality of library staff were consequently forced to choose records. For example, according to ALA between compliance with this order and legal counsel, the new law allows officers their mission to provide greater public 18 immediate access as soon as a search access to information. warrant is served, without providing the It’s ironic how the very actions put in protection of a subpoena that formerly place to make our world safer since the OREGON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

horror of 9-11 have invoked more stress helped lead to the establishment of formal and fear, greater hysteria and paranoia. military library service at nearly every U.S. Most of us probably feel that enduring a military post by 1876. During WWI, the little personal discomfort is the least ALA War Service program, under the sacrifice we can make during this time of auspices of Librarian of Congress Henry “war.” Many citizens would agree with Putnam, led the campaign, “Books for Washington, D.C. lawyer Thomas M. Sammies” (Sammie was the term for U.S. Susman, “I don’t mind relinquishing some soldiers). The program solicited donations rights to catch these people. Five thousand of more than 2.5 million volumes to ship deaths in one blow does that to you.” to Europe before the Great War’s end. The word sacrifice, like war, is prob- Similar programs sprang up during WWII, ably another term we Americans use too when ALA and the Library of Congress lightly. Indeed, there are all levels of again combined forces to hold “Victory sacrifice we might be called upon to make, Book Drives” and collect volumes to ship as President Bush and others constantly to troops worldwide. In the Pacific North- remind us. In terms of economic sacrifice, west, Portland’s public library and the wars have definitely altered librarians’ Library Association of Portland both zealous mission to select and acquire contributed to these efforts by delivering relevant materials for our users, to organize boxes of books to ships launched at and provide access to that material, and to Oregon shipyards. offer assistance locating information. Librarians and libraries undertook to Because of necessary reallocations to foot prove their patriotism during the World the bill for military buildup, libraries have Wars in other ways as well. Many librar- historically felt the drain on already limited ians and library boards sought to distance resources, including personnel. In the themselves from a position of neutrality. conflicts from WWI to the Persian Gulf War, The Wisconsin Library Commission even library personnel have enlisted in the stated during WWI, “To be neutral now is armed forces, been drafted, or were called to be disloyal.” As a result of the pressure, to reserve duty. Library workers who were many book selectors elected not to add pacifists and had the appropriate skills, like titles that might be listed on the Army knowledge of a particular language, served Index, a list of 75 to 100 books prohibited in non-combat positions. A Library of in military training camps because of Congress Bulletin reports that so many LC possibly seditious content. Librarians staff were recruited during WWII that the simply applied what library historians refer resulting personnel deficit led to cataloging to as the “missionary function” of backlogs that have taken more than forty librarianship. Using their apparent aptitude years to clear. for assessing local tastes, morals, and Aside from dealing with budgetary norms, the selectors applied local stan- woes as a result of our country’s participa- dards when judging books for selection or tion in wars, librarians assumed additional for circulation. If they did select a ques- responsibilities in order to support troops tionable title, they resorted to “discretion- and demonstrate patriotism. During the ary circulation,” restricting access to those Civil War soldiers on both sides found they who really needed the resources (e.g., had longer periods of inactivity than lawyers, medical practitioners, scholars). during peacetime. An unusually large, Some libraries even went so far as to pull literate population, these soldiers opted to dubious titles completely off their shelves. avail themselves of magazines, newspa- None of this behavior on the part of 19 pers, and works of fiction offered via librarians or libraries was out of step with regimental libraries. These boxed libraries contemporary actions. During WWI, the Vol No • SPRING

press supposedly volunteered to censor reaction to particular issues and events. itself. The passage of the First Espionage ALA’s first recorded protest against a Act in 1917 established a legal context for banned book did not occur until 1934. The censoring materials when it gave Postmas- director of the Civilian Conservation Corps ter General Albert S. Burleson the authority had prohibited the circulation of a pam- to deny use of the mail for distributing phlet entitled You and Machines within the banned or suspected seditious titles. Corps’ camps. ALA reacted by penning a Portland’s Public Library exemplifies a letter of concern to FDR. It wasn’t until the typical public library response during late 1930s that ALA took its first decisive WWI. Oregonian accounts in June and July position to oppose censorship. Although of 1919 report that board member W. F. the story may be apocryphal, the cause is Woodward urged the board to ban all believed to be John Steinbeck’s Grapes of foreign language papers as a “step toward Wrath, which had become the center of a Americanization,” and contended that in censorship storm in the United States. Many light of past events it would be “wise librarians rallied against the possible policy” to ban serials not published “in the banning of Steinbeck’s book, which was American language.” considered immoral or was objected to on And what about librarians as eternal the grounds of the novel’s depiction of superheroes opposing ne’er-do-well censors? society. Our professional response to What about libraries serving as ancient censorship culminated in ALA’s adoption of bastions battling the book burners? The truth the first Library’s Bill of Rights in San hurts, but the concept of intellectual freedom Francisco on June 19, 1939, based on a simply did not spring forth, Athena-like from policy of the Des Moines, Iowa Public the head of Zeus, as a fully-formulated Library. This declaration did not have the principle of American librarianship. In fact, intended significant impact. Few library intellectual freedom as a significant principle boards knew of its existence and even of librarianship is a recently-evolved con- fewer adopted it. cept. Librarians were not exactly sacrificing ALA followed the adoption of the first intellectual freedom principles during WWI Library’s Bill of Rights by forming its first or WWII because these principles were not intellectual freedom committee in 1940: the yet fully developed. Committee of Intellectual Freedom to The evolution of the principle of Safeguard the Rights of Library Users to intellectual freedom began with the rapid Freedom of Inquiry. However, it was not change in American society between 1892 until 1948 and after WWII that ALA adopted and 1924. Our nation’s demographics had what is presently known as the Library Bill expanded with every arrival at Ellis Island. of Rights, a document that emphasized the Previously held attitudes were shifting; need to resist “all abridgment of the free many people began questioning, even access to ideas and full freedom of expres- abandoning, traditional political, social, sion.” During this same conference, the ALA and religious beliefs and values. Different Council responded to President Truman’s literary tastes, even salacious ones, were loyalty oath program by issuing its “unquali- increasing as the public sought to read fied condemnation of the use of loyalty radical novels like Upton Sinclair’s The investigations in libraries.” Unfortunately, Jungle and risqué titles like D. H. lengthy and intense debate and disagree- Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers, and some ment later ensued about the exact wording librarians responded favorably by trying to of the resolution. When it was eventually 20 broaden the selection of reading materials. reworded two years later, ALA did little or When our profession set out to nothing to support or intervene on behalf of formalize its beliefs, it often did so in individual librarians. University of N Texas Ad

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In 1953, ALA issued a statement defin- profession as an entity may become mired ing the profession’s responsibility for in what Frederick J. Stielow describes as making available the widest diversity of “the stultifying social inertia wrought by views and expressions, including those the decades of overly narrow professionaliza- majority might label unconventional or tion and bureaucratization.” unpopular. This statement laid the founda- But there have been brave souls for tion for the present-day “Freedom to Read” whom inertia is anathema. They voiced statement, and was created in response to unpopular and dissenting opinions, made intense censorship attempts and activities significant sacrifices and often took the during the McCarthy era. perilous high road. In a 1930 speech to the When ALA finally went on record to Washington, D.C. Literary Society, public oppose the Vietnam War in 1971, its librarian George Bowerman criticized the resolution focused on the economic impact, strong movement to censor materials. He emphasizing how the “conflict in Southeast argued that the public library is not “an Asia has so distorted our national priorities institution for the inculcation of standardized as to reduce substantially the funds appro- ideas, and it is not afraid of new ideas, new priated for educational purposes, including art forms, new literature. It stands for free support for library services to the American opinion and to that end it supplies material people.” Basing an anti-war protest on on both sides of every controversial question economic sacrifices when people are of human interest.” In 1947, during the early surrendering life and limb might be part of the Cold War era, Julia Steiner, a staff deemed, as Library Journal editor John member of the Los Angeles County Library Berry put it, “self-seeking and unpatriotic.” System, along with two unions, sought an ALA had used virtually the same injunction to halt the right of supervisors to argument in regard to disarmament after ask employees about their views, associa- World War I: tions, or reading interests. Steiner’s case WHEREAS, The members of the became part of the first legal challenge to American Library Association had full Truman’s loyalty program that eventually demonstration of the pain and pinch went before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1971, that belongs to war and the increased the director of Bucknell University’s Bertrand cost of all necessities, both personal Library, Zoia Horn, was jailed for 20 days for and professional, caused thereby … contempt when she refused to testify about THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That social gatherings and meetings that the U.S. the American Library Association urge government saw as part of a Harrisburg Eight upon the President of the United States conspiracy. The alleged conspiracy involved and Congress the initiative of a move- a plot to kidnap Henry Kissinger and to blow ment leading to a reduction of arma- up heating tunnels beneath Washington. ment at the earliest possible moment … According to one account, “many saw the trial as a naked exercise of power. FBI agents Having seen the slow development of had even gone into the stacks at Bertrand the principle of intellectual freedom, why Library to see who had checked out books do we promulgate this professional myth on explosives.” of having always fought censorship? To In response to the PATRIOT Act and deny a past that shames us? Suppress the other suspicious governmental maneuvers, truth because of a subconscious wish to critics might believe our profession will improve our standing among other profes- respond by descending into yet another 22 sions and toughen our reputation with the bureaucratic hell of our own making. In our public? Probably. We are also incorporating defense, we need to acknowledge that we the acts of individual librarians and library represent a diversity of viewpoints and groups into our collective mythology. The people—both from our users’ vantage points OREGON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

and from within our professional organiza- posed Anti-Terrorism Measures,” a state- tions. Any reactions on our part as a profes- ment outlining specific concerns about sion will have to reflect the need to honor impending anti-terrorist legislation. At its that variety. Our precious diversity often Web site, ALA has begun providing makes it difficult to speak in one voice on all assistance to libraries and librarians topics. We also need to concede that our regarding the PATRIOT Act and its poten- profession in this country, conceived not tial impact on library users. Finally, at our long before the Civil War, does not rank most recent midwinter meeting, ALA among older, more established professions Council voted to reaffirm principles of when we envision the entire span of human intellectual freedom found in several history. Our maturity and experience as a important documents, the “Library Bill of profession, and most importantly, the Rights,” “Libraries: An American Value,” development of our professional ethics and and the “Freedom to Read Statement.” principles, have been shaped by the context As a result, we cannot employ our of the times, especially during and immedi- profession’s often insidious bureaucracy or ately following acts of war. its splendid variety of voices as an excuse To our credit, our profession has to take no action to oppose the abuse of already responded. Before the final the PATRIOT Act’s intended legal use. passage of the PATRIOT Act, ALA, the Neither should we rest on the laurels of our Association of Research Libraries, the profession’s heroes. As individuals, we can American Association of Law Libraries, and choose to follow the example of the Medical Library Association issued the Bowerman, Steiner, or Horn when the need “Library Community Statement on Pro- to act arises and our conscience dictates. How to Write a Best Seller Continued from page 5 of Plato and Aristotle, who copied them to Another type of book that I see selling keep them alive, and who later went out well—and that I am happy to see selling and taught the rest of Europe, were really well—is the book that looks back in only doing their small, individual work. history and tells us—reminds us again—of And while they knew it had impor- the accomplishments of people we think tance in the eyes of their fellow monks— we already know—or of people we’ve and in the eyes of God—they had no idea never been exposed to. what importance or how far down the These are as varied as Stephen reaches of time it would extend. Ambrose’s Undaunted Courage, the story of And John Harrison, though highly the Lewis and Clark expedition; or The aware of the importance of his invention, Professor and the Madman, the story of how was at least initially concerned with a murderer and certified lunatic helped winning the prize money being offered by compile the Oxford English Dictionary; or the king. He did not know that his inven- The Founding Brothers, the intertwining tale tion would enable his nation to create an of seven men who gave our nation its start. empire that would—for better or worse— There is yet another book I want to last for two centuries. mention … Shackleton’s Way, by Margot The point is that we don’t know what Morrell and Stephanie Capparell. … our story is—often until it is long over— Sir Ernest Shackleton was an Antarctic 23 but we constantly, every moment of every explorer whose mission in 1914 began with day, have the opportunity to make it the abject failure when his ship with 28 men best story possible. aboard became stranded, then crushed and Vol No • SPRING

destroyed by advancing ice floes nearly 1,200 until the challenge of World War II. And the miles from the nearest human habitation. example I just mentioned—Shackleton— Incredibly, through his leadership failed in most of his business ventures, yet skills, the crew not only survived but even succeeded marvelously when faced with thrived until ultimate rescue nearly two the challenge of a lifetime. years later and after a daring 800-mile I am intrigued by these books because of journey across open water in little more what they say about us—and again it is much than a rowboat. Among the lessons of the same—it is that what we do matters—that Shackleton’s leadership example: what we do can have consequences that reach far beyond our own lifetimes. … • The path to leadership is through an Each of us chooses who we will be. internal value system, one which is Yes, some of us are given seeming capable of turning bad experiences advantages, skills and abilities. into valuable attitudes and skills. Some of us, it might seem, are in the right place at the right time. • Choice of associates is crucial: look Some of us seem to have a better sense for the best, not the second-best— of good storytelling than others. optimism is a key attribute. And in terms of leadership, some seem born to it, while others have to work harder • Create a spirit of camaraderie— to get there. But leadership is a learned through the creation of order and behavior and we can get better at it! routine, let people know where they … The truth is that … each of us has stand. Be fair and use informal gather- the ability to write the story we want, given ings to foster a sense of teamwork. the material we have—to write a great and meaningful story—our own “best seller.” • Work to coach the best from each As a part of this we can also … help individual. Work one-on-one to help each write the stories, help create the best sellers person reach his or her highest potential. for others. This is what a vital part of leadership is— • Lead effectively in crisis by letting the to enable others to write their own stories. group know that the leader is in charge In the end, as in the very best of and confident of success. Project stories, the very finest of writing, the optimism and keep the malcontents strands of the stories all weave together. close to you rather than ostracize them. What we do—each of our own stories— affects the other stories they touch—and in • Form teams to attack tough assign- the process makes those stories either better ments—balance talent and expertise, or worse—the choice is ours. … remain visible and vigilant and shore As in a Dickens tale, no one is here by up the weakest performers. accident. Each person we meet—each character in our stories—is here for a • Be ready to overcome obstacles to reach purpose. I believe we have to believe that a goal. The biggest obstacles call for now, more than ever. It is my hope that in taking the biggest risks and for unyield- each of our stories—best sellers that they ing focus on the big-picture outcome. are—we work out our plots with care and kindness, through joy and pain, laughter and I believe we’ve seen examples of this tears—the stuff of life—to enable many kind of leadership in the past few weeks. other stories to become the best sellers they 24 It is interesting how the worst brings out deserve to be. This is the need for our time. the best. Churchill was a failed politician This is the heart of leadership. … Oregon Library Association 2001–2002 Executive Board

President OEMA Representative Oregon Young Adult Network Janet Webster Kelly Kuntz Heidi Weisel Marilyn Potts Guin Library Beaverton School District Corvallis-Benton County Public Library OSU/Hatfield Marine Science Center 503.591.4286 541.766.6784 541.867.0108 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] ALA Representative Public Library Division Vice President/President-elect Wyma Rogers Rob Everett Connie Bennett Newport Public Library Eugene Public Library Eugene Public Library 541.265.2153 541.682.8314 541.682.5363 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] PNLA Representative Support Staff Division Past President Carolynn Avery Diane Bolen Anne Van Sickle State Library Willamette University McMinnville Public Library 503.378.4243 x269 503.370.6673 503.435.5550 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] State Librarian Trustees and Friends Division Secretary Jim Scheppke Barbara Wright Barbara O’Neill Oregon State Library Hillsboro Public Library Washington County Cooperative 503.378.4367 503.644.7307 x221 Library Services [email protected] [email protected] 503.988.5577 [email protected] Academic Library Division Member at Large Sara Brownmiller Shirley Roberts Treasurer University of Oregon Eastern Oregon University Suzanne Sager 541.346.2368 541.962.3540 Portland State University [email protected] [email protected] 503.725.8169 [email protected] Children’s Services Division Dan White Parliamentarian Douglas County Library System Ed House 541.440.6009 Beaverton City Library [email protected] 503.526.3705 [email protected] The Publications Committee

Colleen Bell, chair Fred Reenstjerna Mary Ellen Kenreich, ex officio University of Oregon Douglas County Library System Portland State University Ad Coordinator Juanita Benedicto Victoria Scott University of Oregon University of Portland Pam North, ex officio Sherwood Public Library Sue Jenkins Rachel Mendez Editor, OLA Hotline Driftwood Public Library Multnomah County Library System Editor, OLA Web Site Kris Kern Portland State University Upcoming Conferences April 17–19, 2002 Building Bridges Oregon Library Association and Washington Library Association Joint Conference, Portland http://www.olaweb.org June 26–29, 2002 LOEX-of-the-West 2002 Expanded Conversations: Collaborating for Student Learning http://libweb.uoregon.edu/loexwest/

July 12, 2002 Gateways 2002, Newport http://library.willamette.edu/ssd/conf.htm

September 19–20, 2002 Northwest ILL/Resource Sharing Conference, Portland

Oregon Library Association Non-Profit Organization P.O. Box 2042 U.S. Postage Salem, OR 97308-2042 PAID Permit No. 121 Salem, OR