I just submitted to the Resolutions committee the following resolution:
Resolution on Library Service for Children in Detention
Whereas, ALA passed a resolution on Improving Access to Spanish, Bilingual, and Books in Various Language for Children in Detention Centers1; and
Whereas, ALA passed a resolution in 2018 denouncing the separation of migrant children from their parents2; and
Whereas, ALA asserts a compelling public interest in the preservation of intellectual freedom for individuals of any age held in jails, prisons, detention facilities, juvenile facilities, immigration facilities, prison work camps, and segregated units within any facility, whether public or private3; and
Whereas, Conditions in family and child detention centers are substandard and not adequate for the care of children including limited access to education, recreation, healthcare, and basic requirements for health, warmth, and personal sanitation4; and
Whereas, Many historians, policy makers, and public figures have begun to use the term "concentration camps" to describe these locations5; and
Whereas, Storytime has a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of refugee children6; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the American Library Association
Denounces the current deplorable conditions in family and youth detention centers;
Denounces the removal of educational and recreational programming from youth detention centers;
Strongly encourages libraries and librarians to provide services to migrant families and adjust policies where necessary to make that possible, including requirements for documentation and official paperwork in the interest of opening and expediting access for these populations;
Strongly encourages libraries to perform outreach and provide access to materials for both education and entertainment in a variety of formats and media in as many languages as possible as appropriate for the populations being served;
Calls for the reestablishment of educational and recreational programming in youth detention centers.
References:
1. 2015-2016 ALA CD#38_Revised-2_63015_FINAL
2. 2017-2018 ALA CD#20.3_7618
3. "Prisoners' Right to Read: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights", American Library Association, August 20, 2010.
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/prisonersrightoread
4. "Lawyers Say Migrant Children Are Living in 'Traumatic and Dangerous' Conditions at Border Detention Site Time Magazine BY CEDAR ATTANASIO, GARANCE BURKE AND MARTHA MENDOZA / AP UPDATED: JUNE 21, 2019 8:55 PM ET | ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: JUNE 20, 2019
5. "An Expert on Concentration Camps Says That's Exactly What the US Is Running at the Border" by Jack Holmes Esquire Magazine June 13, 2019
6. "For Refugees Storytime Helps Heal Trauma" Rachel Chernasky New York Times April 17, 2019.
Jules Shore