Am I the only person finding many fewer recognizable names on the Council Ballot this year as compared to last year’s? How am I supposed to select 34 people from a list of 93 unknowns in some sort of reasonable time span? Especially when everyone has the pro-library platform. Oh, so you “plan to support initiatives to increase funding for libraries?” Funny, so do 92 of your closest ballot compatriots. What an unbelievable coincidence! “ALA should be a strong advocate for libraries.” Wow, controversial and edgy. Really taking a stand. “Better salaries for librarians.” Well, at least you’re talking to me, rather than at me.

In the end, I’ll probably just repeat last year’s methodology: public librarians rule. If name recognition has any bearing on the election (and I find it hard to imagine that it doesn’t), I’ll bet Michael McGrorty has a legitimate shot at election. Which reminds me, I need to send him a library card.