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I. Governor's Mansion Library

Missouri Library Association will participate, along with the Missouri Squires, to start and maintain a library in the Executive Mansion for use by the Governor and his family with the Squires allocating approximately $1200 and MLA approximately $100. The following guidelines were approved.

1. Initial contribution of $800 with a budgetary allowance each year for maintenance.

2. Collection be broadened to include reference and general interest material as well as Missouriana.

3. The selection team should include Mr. Brownlee of the State Historical Society and Mr. O'Halloran, State Librarian, and a member of the Missouri State Library staff. The committee will be empowered to investigate ways of obtaining complimentary copies of appropriate materials for the Mansion Library, i.e., University of Missouri Press donations, etc.

4. That suitable housing be available in the Mansion and MLA for contributions of books only.

 --MLA Executive Board

January 29, 1968

II. Employment of Disabled Persons in Libraries

The Missouri Library Association is committed to equality of opportunity for all library employees or applicants for employment. Therefore, the Missouri Library Association

1. supports equal employment opportunities and affirmative action for disabled persons and

2. believes that hiring disabled individuals for library positions in all types of libraries is consistent with good personnel and management practices which take into consideration the essential aspects of a specific job and the disabled person's ability to do those tasks.

--Approved by MLA Membership

September 23, 1982

III. Statement of Professional Ethics

A. Librarians must provide the highest level of service through appropriate and usefully organized collections, fair and equitable circulation and service policies, and skillful, accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests for assistance.

B. Librarians must resist all efforts by groups or individuals to censor library materials.

C. Librarians must protect each user's right to privacy with respect to information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired.

D. Librarians must adhere to the principles of due process and equality of opportunity in peer relationships and personnel actions.

E. Librarians must distinguish clearly in their actions and statements between their personal philosophies and attitudes and those of an institution or professional body.

F. Librarians must avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or financial benefits gained at the expense of library users, colleagues, or the employing institution.

--Approved by MLA Membership

September 23, 1982

IV. Honorary Life Membership – Susanna Alexander

The Missouri Library Association hereby bestows honorary life membership on

Susanna Alexander

in recognition of her outstanding leadership and service to the local, state, national, and international library community.

September 1982 Paul White

President 

 

V. Resolution on Telephone Directories

WHEREAS the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company has begun to charge Missouri libraries for all telephone directories furnished to them (except those directories for Missouri cities served by Southwestern Bell), and

WHEREAS the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company has traditionally provided these same directories free of charge to Missouri libraries, and

WHEREAS these charges are having a severe impact on budgets of Missouri libraries, forcing them in many cases to curtail their purchases of telephone directories, and

WHEREAS the local offices of Southwestern Bell routinely refer the public to libraries for telephone directories, and

WHEREAS Missouri libraries have a responsibility to their clientele to provide accurate and current information, and

WHEREAS directory assistance to obtain telephone numbers is no longer a free service, leaving a visit to the library the only option open to the public for obtaining telephone numbers without charge, and

WHEREAS telephone directories in Missouri libraries are heavily used by businesspeople, consumers, students, jobseekers, and others, many times in ways that cannot be fulfilled through directory assistance,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Missouri Library Association goes on record as being opposed to the imposition by the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company of charges for telephone directories to libraries, which in effect limits free access by Missouri's citizens to the information contained in the directories. The Association directs its President to convey the sense of this resolution to Southwestern Bell and to further work with the company to develop a policy of fair and open access to telephone directories through libraries.

--Approved by MLA Membership

October 2, 1986

VI. Resolution Commending Richard T. Miller, Jr.

WHEREAS, Richard T. Miller, Jr. has been an employee of the Missouri State Library for twelve years; and

WHEREAS, Richard T. Miller, Jr. has been "Acting State Librarian" from January 1, 1986 through November 30, 1986; and

WHEREAS, Richard T. Miller, Jr. has provided the leadership and continuity necessary to maintain the services of the Missouri State Library to the citizens of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, his dedication to the field of librarianship is known throughout the State of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, it is proper and fitting that the members of the Missouri Library Association pause in their many duties to recognize the great service he has rendered to the libraries and librarians of Missouri in filling the void in the office of State Librarian;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Missouri Library Association extend their heartfelt thanks for a job "well Done" as "Acting State Librarian"; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be a permanent part of the records of the Executive Board of the Missouri Library Association.

--December, 1986

 VII. Part Time Employment Resolution

WHEREAS many librarians cannot, or do not want to, work in full time positions, for a variety of reasons, and

WHEREAS these librarians have not accepted part time positions because of attitudes and policies toward part time work have been discriminatory, and

WHEREAS part time librarians have been relegated to the lowest ranks, with lower pay, few or no fringe benefits, and little chance for advancement or tenure, and

WHEREAS research has shown that the benefits of (permanent) part time professional positions include higher productivity, improved morale, reduced absenteeism and turnover, flexibility in scheduling, and more precise matching of skills to tasks, at no significant added cost, and

WHEREAS the number one recommendation to come out of the White House Conference on Families in 1980 was that there be more family oriented personnel policies in the United States, part time employment being one of the policies specifically mentioned, and

WHEREAS the United States federal governments have passed legislation actively encouraging the creation of upgraded permanent part time positions for their employees who desire them, and

WHEREAS numerous professional organizations, including the American Library Association, Modern Language Association, and American Association of University Professors, have prepared statements calling for the upgrading of part time positions,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Missouri Library Association recognize the need for professional part time employment on a par with full time employment, with prorated pay, prorated fringe benefits, and prorated responsibilities, and with the opportunity for advancement and tenure, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the MLA support and encourage the creation of more voluntarily chosen upgraded part time professional jobs in libraries throughout Missouri.

--Approved by MLA Membership

September 17, 1987

 VIII. Resolution Commending the University of Missouri-Columbia

WHEREAS the Missouri Library Association was instrumental in the establishment of the School of Library and Informational Science at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and

WHEREAS this is the twenty-second anniversary of the School of Library and Informational Science at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and

WHEREAS the School of Library and Informational Science has been accredited by the American Library Association three times and is preparing for a fourth accreditation visit; and

WHEREAS there are graduates of the School of Library and Informational Science working in Academic, Public, School and Special Libraries in Missouri, throughout the United States, and beyond; and

WHEREAS these graduates of the School of Library and Informational Science have made significant contributions to libraries and the library profession all over the country; and

WHEREAS the existence of the School of Library and Informational Science has contributed to the staffing of many libraries with professional personnel; and

WHEREAS the School of Library and Informational Science provides support to the growth of libraries and the profession through an academically sound continuing education program; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the University of Missouri-Columbia be commended for its past action in establishing the School of Library and Informational Science; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the gratitude of the Missouri Library Association be expressed to the University of Missouri-Columbia for its continuing support of library services in the state and throughout the nation, and be it further

RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Chancellor of the University of Missouri-Columbia, to the President of the University, to the Board of Curators of the University, to the Commissioner of Higher Education by the Association.

--Approved by MLA Executive Board

August 12, 1988

--Approved by the MLA Membership

October 6, 1988

 IX. Honorary Life Membership – Virginia G. Young

 The Missouri Library Association hereby bestows honorary life membership on

Virginia G. Young

in recognition of her outstanding leadership and service to the local, state, national, and international library community.

September 1990 Frederick J. Raithel

President

 

X. Resolution in Memory of Ralph H. Parker

WHEREAS, Ralph H. Parker served as President of the Missouri Library Association from 1950 until 1951; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Parker served as the founding Dean of the School of Library & Informational science--MU from its inception in 1966 until 1974; and

WHEREAS, He served as the Director of the University of Missouri Libraries from 1947 to 1966; and

WHEREAS, In 1936, he initiated the use of automatic date processing equipment in libraries when he installed the first punched card system for circulation control at the University of Texas; and

WHEREAS, He pioneered the extension of data processing techniques into the areas of ordering and acquisition in 1957 at the University of Missouri; and

WHEREAS, In 1965, Dr. Parker and his colleague, Fred Kilgour, conducted a study which resulted in the decision to begin computer application in what has become the internationally successful OCLC shared cataloging network; and

WHEREAS, Ralph Parker made his place in library history by establishing the University of Missouri library as a leading center of technology innovations in the 1940's and 1950's; and

WHEREAS, He was builder of people through staff development and personal modeling; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Parker was also an outstanding scholar, researcher, teacher, and writer; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Ralph H. Parker be remembered for his contributions to the University of Missouri-Columbia, the School of Library and Informational Science, and to the local, state, national and international library and information science communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Missouri Library Association express its sympathy to Mrs. Ralph H. Parker (Mary Kate) and the entire family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Ralph Parker family, the Chancellor of the University of Missouri-Columbia, to the President of the University, to the Dean of the School or Library and Informational Science, to the Board of Curators of the University, to the Commissioner for Higher Education, and the American Library Association, by the Missouri Library Association

-- Approved by MLA Membership

September 27, 1990

XI. Resolution Commending the University of Missouri School of Library and Informational Science

WHEREAS, the Missouri Library Association was instrumental in the establishment of the School of Library & Informational Science, University of Missouri-Columbia;

WHEREAS, the School of Library & Informational Science was established in 1966 for the education of librarians and other information specialists and will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of its founding next year;

WHEREAS, the School is a leader in the field of library and information science in the state and the nation and is a key resource in the development of libraries and the provision of information services through the education of qualified professional personnel, academic research, and other support activities, and its graduates have made significant contributions to library development and the profession;

WHEREAS, its graduate program in library & information science is the only accredited program of its kind in the state and has been continually accredited by the American Library Association since its founding;

WHEREAS, the School is now providing graduate educational opportunities for more than 30 students on and off campus, including an on-campus enrollment increase of over 75% since 1986;

WHEREAS, the need for librarians and other information professionals is increasing in Missouri and elsewhere; and

WHEREAS, the School of Library & Informational Science has consistently met the demand for its graduates as evidenced by an overall placement rate of 90% within one semester of graduation and the employment of more than 50% of its graduates in public, academic, school, corporate, and other libraries and information centers in Missouri;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the University of Missouri and its School of Library & Informational Science be commended for its outstanding contribution to the development of libraries and information services through its educational program, research, and service for the benefit of the people of Missouri, and be it further

RESOLVED that the UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA provide a level of support which will meet the increasing demand for the education of library and information science professionals in Missouri, and be it further

RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be sent to the University of Missouri Board of Curators, the President of the University, the Chancellor of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Deputy Chancellor and Interim Provost, and the Dean of the School of Library & Informational Science.

-- Approved by MLA Membership

September 27, 1991

XII. Resolution Commending the University of Missouri School of Library and Informational Science

WHEREAS, The Missouri Library Association was instrumental in the establishment of the School of Library and Informational Science at the University of Missouri-Columbia; and

WHEREAS, This is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the School of Library and Informational Science at the University of Missouri-Columbia; and

WHEREAS, The School of Library and Informational Science has been accredited by the American Library Association four times; and

WHEREAS, There are graduates of the School of Library and Informational Science working in Academic, Public, School and Special Libraries in Missouri, throughout the United States and beyond; and

WHEREAS, These graduates of the School of Library and Informational Science have made significant contributions to libraries and the library profession over the country; and

WHEREAS, The existence of the School of Library and Informational Science has contributed to the staffing of many libraries with professional personnel; and

WHEREAS, The School of Library and Informational Science provides ongoing support to the growth of libraries and the profession through an academically sound continuing education program; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the University of Missouri-Columbia be commended for its past action in establishing the School of Library and Informational Science; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the gratitude of the Missouri Library Association be expressed to the University of Missouri-Columbia for its continuing support of the School of Library and Informational Science and therefore library services in the State and throughout the Nation, and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted by the Association to the Chancellor of the University of the Board of Curators of the University, and to the Commissioner of Higher Education of the State of Missouri by the Association.

-- Approved by MLA Membership

September 18, 1991