Greetings, I address this question to our colleagues on the Executive Board and/or ALA Staff. I've recently been asked about the August 18th Executive Board statement that says, in part:
ALA member leaders and staff pledge to join with library workers, libraries, and state and regional library associations to oppose any proposal to censor information resources, curriculum, or programs addressing racial injustice, Black American history, and diversity education. We commit to supporting libraries, library workers, schools, and universities facing these challenges and to develop tools that will prepare library workers to defend their collections, counter falsehoods, and engage their communities in important conversations about racial injustice and empowering everyone to fully participate in our democratic society.
Specifically I have been asked what actions ALA is taking to make its members, and the library community at large, more aware of the increasing number of seemingly coordinated efforts directed at school library collections and curricula and what tools are being developed to assist library workers facing such issues? It seems only a matter of time before such efforts are expanded to include public library collections/programming as well.
I think it's an important question and would also welcome any updates on chapter-based activities to inform members and provide tools for combatting these highly coordinated efforts.
Thank you,
Eileen
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Eileen M. Palmer
Executive Director
LMxAC Libraries of Middlesex
NJLA Chapter Councilor
empalmer@lmxac.org------------------------------