> Resolution on ALA Financial Sustainability and Leadership Accountability Will Not Move Forward
https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/resolution-on-ala-financial-sustainability-and-leadership-accountability-will-not-move-forward
Wow, they basically dodged on a technicality. (ALA = American Library Association, the professional organization for librarians, well, a lot of librarians at least).
#NotMyALA #librarians #libraries #FollowTheMoney #BadEconomy
> Resolution on ALA Financial Sustainability and Leadership Accountability Will Not Move Forward
https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/resolution-on-ala-financial-sustainability-and-leadership-accountability-will-not-move-forward
Wow, they basically dodged on a technicality
#NotMyALA #librarians #libraries #FollowTheMoney #BadEconomy
RE: https://mastodon.social/@gutenberg_org/116806024099651882
I'll be perfectly honest. Got mixed feelings here because while our profession should have a collective pair, I understand the reality if you work in Bumfuck USA and losing your job is a serious threat to you and your family (and it's not like #NotMyALA or the profession are coming to your defense other than the equivalent of "thoughts and prayers" if you get fired).
ALA (American Libraries Association) must be having a slow day as I got two emails today of advertising to join up.
#BadEconomy (because pay for play does not come cheap).
> Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction on Hiatus
https://www.ala.org/news/2026/03/andrew-carnegie-medals-excellence-fiction-and-nonfiction-hiatus
So, WTF happened? Did the Carnegie Foundation say fuck it? Some other pressure? Some other issue? Was it just a temporary deal? Of course their press release does not say.
So many questions.
> Supporting Library Workers Who Have Lost Their Jobs
https://acrlog.org/2026/03/21/supporting-library-workers-who-have-lost-their-jobs/ via #ACRL
And if they're older, they're probably fucked given the notorious ageism in #libraries.
Yea, I said it because I've been there, and people know this to be true (even if no one wants to speak about it).
If you haven't had the experience of losing your job suddenly, of being laid off or fired, it might be difficult to imagine what it's like. The person who has lost their job is probably going through some form of grief. They're losing financial security, their professional identity, their expectations of a stable future. Much
I admit, this was not on my bingo card, but then again, when you got “recent multi-round layoffs, increased workloads, benefits reductions, financial crises, ingrained salary disparities, and lack of transparent decision-making” yea, I'd say that be more than enough reason to unionize.
> American Library Association employees forming union with AFSCME
https://afscme31.org/news/american-library-association-employees-forming-union-afscme
Joining the wave of union organizing among cultural workers, employees of the primarily Chicago-based American Library Association (ALA) announced they are forming their union with AFSCME Council 31.The announcement came in an open letter to coworkers released today and signed by 40 ALA employees.When certified, the union—American Library Association Workers United/AFSCME—will represent more than 100 ALA workers.
> On Owing $93,605 in Student Loans; or, A Profession Built on Debt
https://acrlog.org/2025/07/24/on-owing-93605-in-student-loans-or-a-profession-built-on-debt/
As someone in this damn boat, I have a thought or two on this. In the end, this is a reason I am probably going to die in a ditch somewhere.
#BadEconomy #HigherEd #academia #libraries #NotMyALA #corruption #exploitation
I don't know the right metaphor to make you understand how this much debt physically feels. What it actually feels like is a pressure on my chest and shoulders, but maybe that's not evocative enough. What if I describe it as an anchor trailing behind me? Or being covered in molasses, trapping my energy and
> American Library Association Implements Workforce Changes to Strengthen the Organization for the Future
https://www.ala.org/news/2025/10/american-library-association-implements-workforce-changes-strengthen-organization
Translation: We are laying off people, adios. We're just coating it in corporate speak to make it sound better (but we're not fooling anyone).
ALA has announced workforce changes as part of its ongoing ALA Forward initiative—a comprehensive effort to align the organization’s structure and programs with its strategic priorities, sustainability, and mission impact.
Meanwhile, in the #BadEconomy. Oh, I may have a thought or two on this, but I consider myself blessed by the #CosmicJoker I've not needed to sell my plasma to make ends meet (yet), like some librarian colleagues I've known.
> On Owing $93,605 in Student Loans; or, A Profession Built on Debt
https://acrlog.org/2025/07/24/on-owing-93605-in-student-loans-or-a-profession-built-on-debt/
#academia #HigherEd #corruption #libraries #NotMyALA #DivineHumor #exploitation
I don't know the right metaphor to make you understand how this much debt physically feels. What it actually feels like is a pressure on my chest and shoulders, but maybe that's not evocative enough. What if I describe it as an anchor trailing behind me? Or being covered in molasses, trapping my energy and
A. Rivera
A. Rivera