The question of a public domain and citation system of a great importance, as
well as being a volatile and emotional issue, for many in AALL. The idea
of the AALL Executive Board nominess being asked, in effect, to "take sides"
on this issue strikes me as an example of a mandatory litmus test (think of
the questions posed to prospective Supreme Court justices from both sides of
the aisle in order to determine their allegiance).
It is possible to have a personal opinion on the issue yet be willing to
compromise for the good of the whole. One can also look at the issue from
one side then, in a few months, after getting more information, alter that
opinion. The citation question is one of many that AALL will have to face in
the coming years and I am concerned that because it has become such a "hot"
topic, some members see it as the one on which they will base their vote. I
believe this isn't fair to the nominees and the membership as a whole.
I think the nominees' statements should stand as they are and that we trust
the system to arrive at the best choices for AALL. Having served on the Board
for three years, I can tell you that NO decision was ever made lightly during
those terms. The Board members take their jobs very seriously and hold the
responsibility they have to AALL with great respect.
Mary Lu Linnane, Associate Director for Technical Services, DePaul Law Library
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