Statement by Kenneth E. Dowlin, ALA Candidate for President

Beginning of article

The changes that are taking place in our work, homes, communities, and the greater society as we move toward the 21st century are creating a threshold for a decision by librarians. We must make a conscious - perhaps even bold - decision about our future.

What is the future of librarianship? Is it a profession? What roles will we play in our communities and beyond? How will we respond to the massive changes in our society coming from communications technologies, demographic shifts, and the global nature of our economic structures? Will librarians be passive in the face of these forces, or will we provide leadership to our institutions and communities? Who will educate our successors to carry on our values, traditions, history, and commitment to librarianship?

Vision

Librarianship …