ACRL News Issue (B) of College & Research Libraries 219 Democratization and the ALA Council Members of the American Library Associa­ tion will soon receive a ballot to vote on a pro­ posed change in the bylaws of the association that would reduce the size of Council and in Editorial the process eliminate representatives on the Council from the di­ visions. This is one of the steps of “Democra­ tization” recommended in the ACONDA re­ port. This proposal was approved by the Coun­ cil in Dallas. I urge all members of ACRL to veto this change. A reduction of the size of a governing body such as the ALA Council has been recom­ mended by advocates of change as a way of producing a less ponderous legislative group that will be speedier in taking action. The elim­ ination of any Councilor who might bring the view of the “vested interest” of a division to Council, and the mandate to vote accordingly, is cited as a democratic move, in that the re­ maining Councilors will have only the total membership’s interest at heart. As a matter of fact, the process of nomination and election of a smaller ruling Council is more amenable to influence, if not control, by vested interests and hence tends to a state of de­ creased democratization than now pertains. As long as the Association is composed of divisions, with many views and interests, official repre­ sentation on the Council of this pluralistic soci­ ety must be guaranteed—even if the represent­ atives later vote as individuals and not as Councilors for the divisions. The malaise that many people attribute to the ALA Council is due not to its size and com­ position. Rather, it must be principally attribut­ ed to an improper construction of the hierarchy through which decisions flow toward the point of Association action, the very brief time span of conferences at which deliberations are held, and an unfortunate scheduling during the con­ ferences of the meetings of the groups and the official hierarchy in a sequence that is out of phase with the required flow of resolutions. The whole process of mobilizing the ALA to make commitments according to members’ desires and appropriate to the goals of the Associations must be reviewed. Fortunately, the Association has ordered such a study. In any event, forcing a speeding up of delib­ erations tends to reduce truly democratic ac­ tion. Good decisions, democratically reached, will necessarily be reached slowly if the full power of democratic procedure is invoked. ALA is essentially a personal membership or­ ganization. As long as the members have decid­ ed to form themselves into divisions within the larger framework—and all members belong to at least two divisions—there must be a guaran­ teed mechanism for the official mandates of these divisions for Association action to be brought to the higher deliberatre forum. Divi­ sion representation on Council is essential for democratic action as the Association is now structured. Guaranteed divisional representa­ tion cannot be eliminated until divisions are eliminated. It is quite possible that this will be an issue in the forthcoming study of the Asso­ ciation. I suggest that the goals of speedier As­ sociation action on issues important to mem­ bers, in priority order as determined by mem­ bers, will be gained only by a complete change of the structure of the decision-making process and the ordering of the hierarchy of groups through which decisions move. The elimination of division representation at this time, in my view, moves the point of final decision-making away from, and not toward, its proper location. It would create only another element of discon­ tent with the Association’s potential for action. Discontent leads to disaffection, and ultimately, to abandonment of the Association by many of its constituents.—Russell Shank, President- Elect, Association of College and Research Li­ braries Members should also see the remarks of Miss Peggy Sullivan on this subject in the Septem­ ber issue of American Libraries. ■■ INSURANCE PLANS The American Library Association sponsors four group insurance plans designed for per­ sonal members and their families. These in­ clude: Income Protection Major Medical Senior Hospital Life Insurance Detailed brochures can be obtained by writ­ ing to the Library Administration Division, American Library Association, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. ACRL Membership July 31, 1971 ......................................... 11,524 July 31, 1970 ......................................... 11,588 July 31, 1969 ......................................... 13,171 220 When the subject is Ecology, the serious researcher has the task of separating fact from fiction; of matching r esults to rhetoric. Much has been said; little has been done, but within the paper industry, effective programs of recycling waste papers are a reality. The July, August and September issues of CHEM 26/PAPER PROCESSING, a leading paper industry magazine, represent a unique example of real direction. These three issues are printed entirely on 100% recycled paper. They are the first of their kind in the history of paper and printing. They are also highly informative. CHEM 26/PAPER PROCESSING does not skirt the issues of our environmental imbalance. They are the issues that will be discussed. Copies for your library are available at $2.50 per single issue or $7.00 for the set of three, from: Hale Publishing Company One Bank Street Stamford, Conn. 06901 Purchase Order or check to accompany requests.