RMRT (Retired Members Round Table)

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The Retired Members Round Table (RMRT) shall exist to develop programs of particular interest to retired persons from all types of libraries and all forms of library services, including formal opportunities for continued involvement and learning; a variety of leadership training and opportunities for mentoring; lifelong professional involvement and networking; and active engagement in the American Library Association and the profession of librarianship.

Visit the Retired Members Round Table (RMRT) on the ALA website.

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Retired Librarians as Changemakers: Working Together on Advocacy and Op-Ed

  • 1.  Retired Librarians as Changemakers: Working Together on Advocacy and Op-Ed

    Posted Jul 09, 2025 11:37 AM

    Dear Colleagues,

    It was great to see so many RMRT members at this session at ALA. Dorcas Hand, Barb Stripling, and Janice Welburn shared their stories about how they are continuing to be engaged in library advocacy work since their "official" retirement.

    While not all of us are able to reach the heights of their amazing work, I believe there are advocacy efforts that each of us can do based on our time, talents, and passions.

    I offer my own example. There isn't a great deal of "free" time in my current life. I provide care for my father (95) and my husband and I spend a great deal of time with our grandchildren (ages 5 and 7) who live just 20 minutes from our home. I serve on several library and children's book committees and still write and edit books.

    As a former school librarian, I speak up at school board meetings when issues related to librarians/libraries, books, and intellectual freedom are raised in the district where I once served.

    Writing letters to the editor and op-eds in our local newspaper on these issues is also something I can do. After attending the FTRF Board meeting and several ALA sessions, I flew home on fire about the First Amendment.

    My op-ed "Freedom on July 4th 2025" was published in the Arizona Daily Star on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

    https://tucson.com/opinion/column/article_61e3b803-f7b9-4fdf-8b02-e14792c30555.html

    Thank you for doing whatever you can do to support librarians and libraries and to protect our library values.

    Sincerely,
    Judi



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    Judi Moreillon, M.L.S., Ph.D.
    Literacies and Libraries Author and Consultant
    She/Her/Hers
    info@storytrail.com
    http://storytrail.com
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