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Proposed PLA Bylaws Changes—Frequently Asked QuestionsYou’ve heard about the proposal to change PLA bylaws which PLA members will vote on in the upcoming 2008 election. Here are some answers to common questions about the bylaws change. To see side-byside versions of the bylaws with tracked changes, visit www.pla.org. To voice your opinion about the proposed changes, visit the PLA Blog or attend one of two informational sessions that will be held during the upcoming 2008 PLA National Conference.
Q. Why is the PLA Board of Directors proposing that the membership change the bylaws?
A. To be more nimble and responsive to our members’ needs. The PLA Board of Directors feels that these changes will help us to do that. It should also help us to be more inclusive to participation. Most members don’t care how the organization is structured as long as the good programs and quality publications they’ve always enjoyed continue.
Q. What will happen to the committees?
A. Don’t worry! Most committees will be replaced by a Community of Practice (CoP), which is a more inclusive means of people working together on common interests. It will allow more people to self-select their level of participation without the requirements of Midwinter Meeting or Annual Conference attendance.
Q. How will these Communities of Practice interact?
A. Some will choose to continue meeting at the ALA Midwinter and Annual conferences and PLA will continue to provide a space for that purpose. Many will meet online in a virtual community. PLA is working with the current Technology in Public Libraries committee and the Emerging Leaders project to develop this environment. A major selling point is that to be a part of a CoP,any PLA member would simply sign up online for the communities of their choosing.
Q. What about other committees?
A. These standing committees remain: Awards, Bylaws, Budget and Finance, Nominating, National Conference, Program (for all conferences/symposia), and Publications. Advisory groups (which liase with similar ALA groups) on Advocacy, Intellectual Freedom, and Legislation also will remain. Also, specialized project Task Forces will be created by the Board as needed. All committees have expected outcomes; CoPs are not required to do so.
Q. What if I need to join a committee to attend a conference?
A. PLA will create a means to produce lists of participants in a CoP—for justification back home.
Q. How are these CoPs structured?
A. The structure would be up to the group, which wouldn’t require a chair; volunteer leaders will help in shaping discussions. There would be no term limits in a CoP. Nor any limits to the number of CoPs. The only requirement would be membership in PLA; and, if there is no activity in six months, the group will dissolve. Some low-interest committees may naturally whither away due to lack of interest and we anticipate that new CoPs will form.
Q. Do I have to be in a CoP to submit a program proposal?
A. No. Currently programs, for Annual Conference programming, must originate from a committee; under the new plan, any member can submit a proposal.
More questions? Send an e-mail to pla@ala.org or visit the PLA blog (www.plablog.org) to join in the conversation.
PLA is a division of the American Library Association. Copyright Statement.
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