Bell Didn’t Think Obama’s Keynote was the Bomba…

July 6th, 2005

Steven Bell (StevenB for those that read C&I) writes about his disappointment with Barack Obama’s keynote at ALA in Library Journal:

“Another American Library Association (ALA) conference comes, and along with it another opening keynoter who does little more than give us the standard, “Gee, I really, really like you” speech. It’s a syrupy blend of admiration for all things library, patronization of the causes ALA attendees support, and vitriol for those, mostly politicians and policies, we oppose.”

I happened to run across Steven after the speech waiting for the bus outside of the McCormick Center and we chatted about it. Bell writes:

“As I waited in a long shuttle bus line after the Obama speech, along came Steven Cohen of Library Stuff fame. I took the opportunity to rant about another cookie-cutter ALA keynote address. With his usual insight, Cohen said, “But ALA is giving the crowd what they want so they’ll keep coming back for more. What do you expect?” I expect speakers who do more than toe the company line while librarians lap it up, giving as much thought to what’s being said as lemmings give to what they’re doing as they follow their leader right off a cliff.”

Geez, I have to be careful what I say to people or stuff like this is going to come back and bite me in the tuchas again. Many reading that quote would infer that I agree with Bell (we always agree to disagree on many aspects of librarianship - one of the reasons why I love the guy - he challenges me). Yes, I did say that, but Bell didn’t mention what I said afterward. It went something like this:

“Librarians need a place to feel appreciated and validated and that’s one of the reasons they come to ALA. Many librarians rarely get that validation at their jobs. Being praised by a national figure such as Obama is exactly what I needed.”

Don’t get me wrong. I want my thoughts to be challenged as Bell mentions, but I’m challenged all day long. I went to Chicago to celebrate my profession, hangout with colleagues, attend committee meetings, have fun (GASP!), and feel proud to be a librarian. Obama helped me achieve most of those goals.

Thankfully, all wasn’t lost for Bell, as he liked Henry Winkler, a keynote that I, unfortunately, had to miss.

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