Dear IFRT Members,
I have heard from members of the Roundtable who are concerned, following the announcement this week of Deborah Caldwell-Stone's departure. I too am greatly saddened. She has been an inspiring leader, and to me, a mentor and a friend.
I recognize that ALA has been faced with making difficult executive decisions. In these lean financial times, IFRT has tried to step up with our budget as well. I challenged our Executive Board to conduct some business reducing staff liaison time. I have also asked the members to do more work in preparation for our meetings. This has allowed us to shorten our meeting time and also provides more transparency of IFRT business. You may read this in the posted minutes in Connect.
I believe that it is imperative that we as the Intellectual Freedom Roundtable support ALA. The Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement are owned by Council. These are fundamental documents in libraries. If ALA is not sustained for the next 150 years, these principles would be gone, and our profession would be just a job.
We in IFRT all have our intellectual freedom challenges, literal and figurative, we are individuals and a collective body with shared concerns. We believe that we choose what to read, examine and think. For this I am thankful to be among such friends.
I welcome Sarah Lamdan, she is most delightful and will also be an inspiring leader, mentor and friend. I thank you for your support, now and in the past, and your support of intellectual freedom wherever you are. I encourage you in your efforts and welcome your participation with us.
Thank you,
Wanda Mae Huffaker, Chair IFRT
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[Wanda] [Mae][Huffaker]
Librarian
Salt Lake County Library
She/Her/Hers
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