Library Association Constitutional Changes: a Symposium Available to Purchase

At the Annual General Meeting of the Library Association held at Bournemouth on 2nd May, 1952, a motion was passed instructing the Council to prepare in consultation with branches and sections a revision of Section B of the Byelaws (Constitution of Council, Committees and Officers), designed to ensure that the majority of the Council shall consist of persons nominated and elected by the members at large. It will be recalled also that the President gave an undertaking that the Council would consider proposals for proxy voting at annual meetings, and for a referendum by postal vote as a means of securing for all members an effective voice in the affairs of the Association. These contentious matters have been duly debated by the Executive Committee, whose findings are submitted in reasoned form in a Memorandum, which, by the consent of the Council, has been issued to branches and sections, who are asked to consider the suggested constitutional changes, and to send their observations, together with any alternative proposals, to the Secretary at Chaucer House not later than 23rd February, 1953. It is stressed that the whole matter is still under consideration by the Council, whose final decision will presumably be made in the light of recommendations from branches, sections and individual members interested enough to express their opinions. The subject is so important for the future of the Association that this symposium of views by representative librarians is offered as a stimulus to the membership at large.