ALA Council

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  • 1.  RESPONSE: Resolution Supporting Student Debt Forgiveness

    Posted Feb 18, 2021 09:38 AM

    The following message is sent on behalf of American Library Association President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr.

    Dear Colleagues,

    ALA is a member of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Coalition and has signed on to their coalition letters in the past.  They are meeting next week to establish priorities for the coming year.  Since this issue is not library-specific, we follow it through a coalition.  We keep our resources focused on the public policy priorities that directly impact libraries and where ALA's voice will have the most significant impact.

     

    http://www.ala.org/advocacy/sites/ala.org.advocacy/files/content/libfunding/school/Student-Debt-Cancellaton-Sign-on-Letter-4.16.20.pdf 

     

    If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

     

    Julius C. Jefferson Jr.

    2020-2021 ALA President

     



  • 2.  RE: RESPONSE: Resolution Supporting Student Debt Forgiveness

    Posted Feb 18, 2021 10:03 AM
    Thanks so much for this update, President Jefferson and Marsha! 

    I think coalition work is 100% the way to go in these efforts, in keeping with ALA's appropriate public policy priorities and resource focus. Thanks for your leadership and support in this area.  

    I'll be sharing this letter through my networks-- to amplify the work which has taken place. Newbie question-- but do we work with these organizations regularly and on other topics? As we leverage this coalition and it leverages our membership, coordination of communication and engagement may need to be considered. It's so cool to see us work with this group of associations-- we must collectively represent hundreds of thousands of folks who need action in this area. I'll look forward to hearing what comes out of next week's meeting-- I am sure that all of us who were interested in working on a potential resolution are ready to help in any ensuing plan of action, which would be welcome member-focused engagement in my assessment. 

    Lending the Association's voice in support of debt cancellation at this point in time is crucial, not only for our members but for the communities we serve (particularly in academic libraries). Grateful for the work to date-- and for your hard work to balance advocacy in this area with others!