JESSE List members,

I am forwarding this information from the co-chairs of the American
Library Association (ALA) Presidential Task Force on traditional cultural
expressions. Since JESSE does not allow forwarding attachments you can
view the full text of the document in these ways.
  a. ALA members can see the full document through ALAConnect;
  b. ALA's Office for Information Technology Policy will post the
doucment on the OITP website;
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oitp/index.cfm
  c. or, you can email me privately and I will send you a copy of
the report.

Loriene Roy



December 22, 2010

To: ALA Members

From: Vivian Pisano and Maggie Farrell
  Co-Chairs, Presidential Traditional Cultural Expressions (TCE) Task
Force

Re: Draft Report

Attached is a draft report from the Presidential TCE Task Force regarding the
management and handling of cultural materials in libraries. The Task Force is
distributing this draft to solicit feedback from ALA members.

President Camila Alire created the Presidential Task Force on Traditional
Cultural Expressions to continue work that had resulted in a resolution
discussed but withdrawn from ALA Council consideration during ALA Midwinter
2010.

The TCE Task Force consists of 11 members representing various interests and
co-chaired by the OITP Advisory Committee and the International Relations
Committee. The Task Force has been working since ALA Annual 2010 on the
charge:

" review the background and development of the current version (7.0)
  of the document "Librarianship and Traditional Cultural Expressions:
  Nurturing Understanding and Respect."

" examine the current document and other relevant material

" as necessary, propose any revisions to the document

" bring forward a recommended revised draft document for approval by
  the ALA Council at ALA Midwinter 2011.

The Task Force determined that clarification regarding the terminology
surrounding TCEs was required to understand the types of materials typically
found in libraries. The term "cultural materials" is used to encompass those
materials. Respect, collaboration and upholding ALA values were prominent
considerations in the development of the report. The Task Force also determined
that a report outlining the ways in which libraries contribute to cultural
materials management and identifying the issues and concerns surrounding
cultural materials would be an excellent first step in educating our membership
to the issues of cultural materials and TCEs.

It is the hope of the Task Force that this report opens the dialogue within our
profession and identifies strategies to advance the discussions therefore
forming a foundation for development of principles that will guide our
libraries.

Comments and observations may be sent to the Task Force co-chairs Vivian Pisano
([log in to unmask]) and Maggie Farrell ([log in to unmask]). In addition,
the Task Force will hold an open forum during ALA Midwinter, Saturday, January
8, 10:00-11:00,
San Diego Convention Center - Room 08. Your insights will inform the final
report that will be submitted to ALA Council II on Monday, January 10, 2011.

Thank you for your assistance in discussing this critical issue for our
association.