Letters

Setting aside Roger L. McCown's entire commentary on public librarians not owning the libraries that they work in (Letters, March 2001, p. 14), I could not let his entire statement—that American Library Association (ALA) dues are paid for by public funds—go by without comment. In a recent survey that I conducted on LM_Net [the librarian's online discussion group], out of 110 e-mail responses from school librarians, only two noted that part of their dues were paid for by their institution. In my own five years employed as a public librarian, all professional dues were paid for by me. Yes, it is expensive, and yes, every time the renewal notice comes in the mail, I have to think seriously about which divisions I will continue to support. I do feel it is my professional obligation to continue to belong to ALA, and that if I disagree with its policy and positions, that it is my obligation to work from within the organization to change them.

Lisa Von Drasek

Children's Librarian

Bank Street College of Education

New York, NY

This past fall I received an award from the Connecticut Educational Media Association for a program I designed and ran, which expanded upon the National Television Turnoff Week (April 23–29). At the awards dinner, I sat with an American Library Association (ALA) member who asked me if I realized that ALA had withdrawn its endorsement of the program. At the time I was embarrassed, both that I was unaware of the change, and that I was receiving an award which somehow now felt slightly tainted, at least in ALA eyes. Upon reflection, however, I find that I am actually more embarrassed for ALA.

In a small piece in the March 1999 School Library Journal (pp. 93-94), Lillian Gerhardt asks: "Since ALA believes that it's the responsibility of parents to guide their own children, why should librarians police TV?" In promoting TV Turnoff Week, I do not see myself, in any way, as "policing TV." TV Turnoff Week encourages parents and students to make the choice to turn off their own televisions for a limited time, in order to reacquaint themselves with other leisure activity choices. One of the most obvious of these choices is to visit a library and read a book. The choice is still there and belongs to the viewer, just as our library patrons make choices for themselves and their children as to what they want to read. The TV Turnoff organization in no way names, labels, or evaluates any specific shows or networks—it simply encourages taking a breather and reflecting on viewing habits in general.

How the ALA council sees this as censorship, I do not know, but I think the organization is missing a fine opportunity to promote reading and libraries, effectively cutting off its nose to spite its face. I trust there are many more librarians out there who share my feelings and are continuing to promote TV Turnoff, despite our professional organization's reluctance to do the same.

Carol M. Ansel

Librarian/Media Specialist

Pine Point School Library

Stonington, CT