ALA and the Lessons of GM and Chrysler

ALA and the Lessons of GM and Chrysler

Watching and hearing about the latest developments in the automobile industry holds some lessons for those who care about ALA and its future. President Obama took a bold but necessary step in insisting that both GM and Chrysler make substantial changes before parting with more money to address their financial woes.

ALA is, as we are well aware, facing a substantial financial shortfall of its own. Fortunately, the Executive Director, his team and the dedicated staff have moved quickly to address it. However, I believe that what we are seeing is the need to make significant changes in our assumptions and in our way of doing business as an association. Even if the economy picks up in a major way… and I’m kind of doubtful about that happening anytime soon … the impact on publishing and conference attendance is going to remain with the association for a long time. Basically, forever. We are witnessing structural changes to the economy and the delivery of information and services.

I think the days of a focus on process versus product, etc. are behind for ALA. The days of lengthy examinations of issues and reluctance to make major changes are over.

I believe our future is in our newer and younger members … those who are not weighted down with the traditions of how we have “done business.” I have made this pledge before and I am making it again. If elected, I am going to get our newer and younger members involved in identifying and implementing changes that position the American Library Association for the changes in communication, outlook, operations and so forth in the 21st century. We have to have the courage to make them and to let go of the “same old, same old.”