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15 COGNOTES ALAANNUAL.ORG/MOBILE–APP|#ALAAC19 HIGHLIGHTS American Libraries Blog Resolutions 101: Getting Things Done Did you know that the Library Bill of Rights exists because of an ALA Council Resolution? If you read this document closely, you’ll see “Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996” included at the bottom. These dates indicate the instances that this document has been reviewed, revised, and re-approved by the ALA Council, our organization’s governing body. Resolutions and committee action items are what direct many of ALA’s policy, legislation, and advocacy activities. They are the mechanism by which we create, endorse, and codify ideals like the Library Bill of Rights, the Improve Your Financial Resources for Patrons with Ready, Set, Bank SM Interested in using a ready-created financial well-being program to teach your patrons online banking skills? PLA and ALA are working with Capital One Financial Corporation to bring innovative financial well-being resources to public libraries across the U.S. Through this project, PLA and ALA will help public libraries nationwide learn about Capital One’s Ready, Set, BankSM program, which teaches consumers basic mobile banking skills. This program has been piloted at Houston and Queens Public Libraries, with 80% of survey respondents saying they felt more comfortable using online banking as a result of the class. Ready, Set, Bank SM is designed specifically for older adults, and offers numerous, unbranded videos to guide learners through every step of the process, with overviews and step-by-step tutorials to help them manage their finances online – regardless of where they bank. The curriculum is also available in Spanish, through Listos, Clic, Avance.SM “Public libraries provide their patrons with the tools and information to make informed decisions about a wide range of critical issues such as health, employment and personal finance,” said PLA President Monique le Conge Ziesenhenne, PhD. “By collaborating with Capital One, PLA supports libraries efforts to help people reach financial goals like saving for retirement, sending a child to college, or buying a first home.” The financial well-being resources on Ready, Set, BankSM will supplement the existing courses on PLA’s DigitalLearn. org with helpful videos on online banking matters. ALA has also recognized Capital One for its financial support by naming the company as a Library Champion at the $25,000 (Sustainer) level. Freedom to Read Statement, or the Resolution on the USA Patriot Act and Related Measures That Infringe on the Rights of Library Users. Although a resolution is typically originated by ALA Council members and Committees, any ALA member can initiate one. The ALA Policy Manual (section A.4.2.3) defines a resolution as: “a main motion, phrased formally, with (a) whereas clauses, (stating the background and reasons for a proposed policy, advocacy position, or action), followed by (b) Resolved clauses in numbered order (stating the proposed policy, advocacy position, or action).” In practice, this means that a succinct, structured document is created following the guidelines available on the ALA website. In the resolution, you may include a few short background statements (whereas clauses) followed by what outcomes you hope to accomplish (resolved clauses). If you are not a council member, you can bring your resolution to the next virtual or face-to-face membership meeting by filling out an eform. If the resolution is passed at a membership meeting, it then goes to ALA Council for deliberation. The Resolutions Committee has created a short video to help you navigate the writing process and has compiled examples and resources to help you draft your resolution. These tools can be found under Resolution guidelines. If you are interested in writing a resolution, we also encourage you to collaborate with relevant ALA units, including committees such as the Committee on Diversity (CoD) or divisions like the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). You can find information about committees, divisions, offices, and roundtables on the About ALA section of the ALA website. Whether you are a seasoned councilor or new to ALA, the Resolutions Committee is here to help you navigate the resolutions process. Feel free to email us with questions, drafts, or feedback at alaresolutions@ala.org. ALA MIDWINTER MEETING & EXHIBITS PHILADELPHIA | JANUARY 24-28, 2020 Innovation-spurring preconferences and institutes SAVE the DATE! Books, media, and 100s of authors In-depth learning and educational sessions Award announcements and celebrations Three days of exploring the many futures for academic, public, school, and special libraries at the Symposium on the Future of Libraries “News You Can Use”, updates, policy priorities, strategies for engaging decisionmakers, and influencers New publications, technologies, and services from expert organizations in the exhibits Unlimited connections with colleagues from all types of libraries, doing all kinds of library jobs, at all levels All the socializing you can handle REGISTER AT ALAMIDWINTER.ORG • #ALAMW20 Registration and Housing opens September 11, 2019 Noon (Central).