You have an opportunity to support librarians on the front lines of intellectual freedom! Join the Merritt Fund by making a donation before April 30, and you'll not only be helping an incredible cause, you'll get a vote in the upcoming Trustee election.
The LeRoy C. Merritt Humanitarian Fund was established in 1970 as a special trust in memory of Dr. LeRoy C. Merritt devoted to the support, maintenance, medical care, and welfare of librarians who, in the Trustees’ opinion, are:
• Denied employment rights or discriminated against on the basis of
gender, sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, age, disability, or place of national origin; or
• Denied employment rights because of defense of intellectual freedom.
I would like to ask you to take a moment to join or renew your membership (membership is automatic when you donate funds). Although the donation is not tax-deductible, I can assure you that the funds are used to provide relief to individuals who are in the situations described above. Please visit the Merritt Fund donation page on the ALA website to donate.
All members of the Merritt Fund who donate from January 2015 to April 30, 2016, are eligible to vote in the election for the new trustee. You will receive your electronic ballot in May.
The Merritt Fund has made a huge difference for those who find themselves in difficult employment situations. You can help a colleague by renewing your membership, nominating a trustee, and voting. Thank you so much for your interest and support.