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      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:black;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:10.5pt">Dear OLA members and
      members of the Oregon library community,</span><br></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">At our business meeting
      on February 4, 2022, the 2021-2022 Executive Board of the Oregon Library
      Association voted to endorse the petition authored by the OLA EDI
      Antiracism Committee, “<a href="http://ola.memberclicks.net/message2/link/dd38660f-a773-401f-b0aa-2ff276c90c5f/1" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(35,111,161)">Break the Library Institutional Reliance on Unpaid BIPOC
      Labor!</a>”  The Board continues to endorse this petition and
      acknowledges that insufficient context was provided when we disseminated
      it. We apologize for this misstep and share this statement to provide
      context and our path forward.</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
      Before we do, we must address the heart of the work we’re doing. We
      cannot continue to speak about equity, diversity, inclusion, and
      anti-racism in the abstract, as theoretical underpinnings, or as part of
      an acronym, workshop, or resource list. We are losing our Black,
      Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) colleagues because of our
      collective hesitance to change the status quo that causes them harm every
      day. When we speak of our BIPOC colleagues, we are speaking of real people
      for whom we have not assured psychological safety; yet, who have done and
      continue to do EDIA work on their own time, without compensation, and
      oftentimes without any recognition. With this as our shared
      understanding, we must engage in challenging discussions and implement
      meaningful change — together. </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
      Moving forward, we acknowledge that not everyone on Libs-OR is regularly
      engaged with OLA and the State Library, and as a result the greater
      context of the petition was not as clear as it could have been. To
      address this lack of clarity, we offer the following information about
      the work of the OLA Executive Board. </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
      We have actively committed to being an equitable, diverse, inclusive, and
      anti-racist organization through our strategic plan, the full text of
      which can be found on the OLA website (<a href="http://ola.memberclicks.net/message2/link/dd38660f-a773-401f-b0aa-2ff276c90c5f/2" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(35,111,161)">https://www.olaweb.org/strategic-plan-2020-23</a>). We
      are dedicated to achieving the objectives in order to improve diversity
      within OLA through recruitment, retention, and take action in support of
      librarians of color in our association and in the field of librarianship.</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">OLA is a chapter of the
      American Library Association (ALA), and as such we also draw on the <a href="http://ola.memberclicks.net/message2/link/dd38660f-a773-401f-b0aa-2ff276c90c5f/3" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(35,111,161)">ALA Code of Ethics</a> which states: “We affirm the
      inherent dignity and rights of every person. We work to recognize and
      dismantle systemic and individual biases; to confront inequity and
      oppression; to enhance diversity and inclusion; and to advance racial and
      social justice in our libraries, communities, profession, and
      associations through awareness, advocacy, education, collaboration, services,
      and allocation of resources and spaces.”</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">During our consideration
      of the petition for Board endorsement, the processes for recruitment for
      State Library positions were explained and understood. Rather than
      directly endorsing a particular candidate, we believe the language in the
      petition highlighting the expertise of our incoming OLA President (the
      first person of color to hold the position) is important to illustrate
      the qualities desired in a person filling a position and intends to
      celebrate the fortune of having that experience among our membership. It
      is also needed to concretely illustrate the problem of continued reliance
      on unpaid labor among our BIPOC members.  In that spirit, we did not
      consider endorsement of the petition to create a conflict of interest for
      Board members or the Association. </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
      After consulting <a href="http://ola.memberclicks.net/message2/link/dd38660f-a773-401f-b0aa-2ff276c90c5f/4" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(35,111,161)">guidance from ALA</a> and discussing the situation with
      ALA staff, we continue to believe the endorsement of the petition did not
      create a conflict of interest.  OLA does have policy statements
      related to conflict of interest but the language is dated and is
      difficult to apply in nuanced situations. We recognize we need to
      consider potential conflicts carefully and will work towards clarifying
      policies to better address situations in the future.</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
      In her <a href="http://ola.memberclicks.net/message2/link/dd38660f-a773-401f-b0aa-2ff276c90c5f/5" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(35,111,161)">message on Tuesday, February 15, 2022</a>, Acting State
      Librarian Nancy Hoover confirmed that the State Library is seriously
      considering creating an EDIA consultant position after hearing feedback
      through multiple channels, including the petition. The State Library
      thanked and acknowledged Marci Ramiro-Jenkins, the OLA EDIA Committee,
      and other Oregon library staff of color for their work, and agreed that a
      “statewide paid EDIA consultant would help alleviate some of that extra
      weight placed on our colleagues of color and hopefully inspire local
      libraries to focus more attention on EDIA issues.” We celebrate State
      Library leaders’ recognition of the burden placed on OLA’s BIPOC members
      doing EDIA work and their positive response to the recommendation to
      address it. </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
      Despite what has been suggested over the course of this conversation, the
      OLA Executive Board did not and does not expect tacit agreement with
      every action we take. This is a large organization with diverse
      membership, and we attempt to consider and represent our members
      accordingly. Our strategic goal of inclusion will not always result in
      harmony. We do expect engagement in public conversations to be thoughtful
      and careful not to cause harm, especially to our BIPOC colleagues. </span></p><p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><br></span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">The OLA Executive Board
      is working to improve transparency and communication within our organization.
      If you have any questions or concerns about Board actions and decisions,
      we encourage you to reach out to us directly. All members’ names, roles,
      and email addresses are listed on the OLA website (<a href="http://ola.memberclicks.net/message2/link/dd38660f-a773-401f-b0aa-2ff276c90c5f/6" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(35,111,161)">https://www.olaweb.org/executive-board</a>). </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Additionally, OLA
      Executive Board meetings are open and OLA members are welcome and
      encouraged to attend. We post our agendas, minutes, and virtual meeting
      information on the OLA website (<a href="http://ola.memberclicks.net/message2/link/dd38660f-a773-401f-b0aa-2ff276c90c5f/7" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(35,111,161)">https://www.olaweb.org/executive-board-meetings</a>).
      This year, the Board has instituted informal “drop-in” meetings to allow
      OLA members to engage with the OLA President, Association Manager, and
      other OLA leaders. Our next drop in meeting is scheduled for March 4,
      2022 at 10:00 am. We encourage anyone that has questions about Board
      activities to attend this meeting. </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Sincerely,</span></p><p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Oregon Library Association 2021-22 Executive Board</span></p><p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><br></span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Arlene Weible, OLA
      President</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Marci Ramiro-Jenkins,
      OLA Vice-President/President-Elect</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Kate Lasky, OLA Past
      President </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Stuart Levy, OLA
      Treasurer </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Star Khan, OLA
      Secretary </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Sami Kerzel, OLA
      Member-At-Large </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney,
      OLA's Representative to ALA Council</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Emily Ford, Academic
      Division/ACRL-Oregon President</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Susan Cackler,
      Children's Services Division Chair </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Grace Butler, Oregon
      Association of School Libraries (OASL) President</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Denise Auld, Oregon
      Young Adult Network Chair</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Halsted Bernard, Public
      Library Division Chair </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Eduardo Arizaga, REFORMA
      Co-Chair</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Bobbye Hernandez,
      REFORMA Co-Chair</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Rinny Lakin, Support
      Staff Division Chair</span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>
      <p style="line-height:140%;margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;line-height:140%;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>
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</div><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div>Arlene Weible</div><div>Oregon Library Association President, 2021-2022<br></div><div dir="ltr"><div><a href="mailto:olapresident@olaweb.org" target="_blank">olapresident@olaweb.org</a><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>