SRRT (Social Responsibilities Round Table)

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The Social Responsibilities Round Table works to make ALA more democratic and to establish progressive priorities not only for the Association, but also for the entire profession. Concern for human and economic rights was an important element in the founding of SRRT and remains an urgent concern today. SRRT believes that libraries and librarians must recognize and help solve social problems and inequities in order to carry out their mandate to work for the common good and bolster democracy.

Learn more about SRRT on the ALA website.

  • 1.  Confronting the Crisis of Reading Webinar Handouts & Request for New Sponsor

    Posted Dec 15, 2025 12:48 PM

    Dear Colleagues:

    On November 5 and November 12, the Intellectual Freedom Round Table offered two very successful webinars entitled, "Confronting the Crisis of Reading Among Children and Teens: What Can Librarians Do to Promote Literacy and Intellectual Curiosity?" The programs had over 500 registrants and 150 and 120 attendees respectively.


    The focus of the webinars was on promoting intellectual freedom by offering librarians ways of developing a culture of reading among youth, parents, teachers, and members of the community. The programs specifically discussed the applications of the concept of "deep reading" developed by UCLA School of Education and Information Studies professor, Maryanne Wolf who teaches readers how to pay attention to what they are reading and draw connections, inferences, and analyses that can lead to the creation of new ideas as well as empathy with their fellow human beings. Wolfe directly addresses the impact of a lack of deep reading skills on the spread of mis- and disinformation, which is also an intellectual freedom issue.

    Panelists included Shauntee Burns-Simpson, Director of Youth and Family Services, Washington D.C. Public Library, Julia Torres, Teen Services Program Administrator, Denver Public Library,  Dorcas Hand, School Librarian and Co-Chair of Students Need Libraries, Texas, and Jamie Gregory, High School journalism teacher and librarian in South Carolina.  All of  them are Intellectual Freedom Round Table stars and luminaries and in some cases intellectual freedom award winners. Jamie Gregory is the 2022 recipient of the IFRT Oboler Award.  The webinars also had newer faces such as Ariel Birdoff and Greta Enszer who are school librarians and teachers in underserved communities in New York City and Los Angeles.  All the panelists volunteered their time to offer their first-hand experiences and creative ideas.


    Those of us who have started this project are now looking for a new home/sponsor for future webinars on this topic, including confronting low literacy and the precipitous fall in reading among adults.  Attached, please find two handouts which follow through on the webinars offered on November 5 and November 12.

    If you would like to find a new home for this project, or have other suggestions or questions, please contact us at the email addresses below.

    Sincerely,

     

    Frieda Afary, Public Librarian: fafarysecond@yahoo.com

    Judi Moreillon, Literacies and Libraries Consultant: info@storytrail.com




  • 2.  RE: Confronting the Crisis of Reading Webinar Handouts & Request for New Sponsor

    Posted Dec 23, 2025 01:32 PM

    Dear Colleagues:

    Below, are  the  recordings for the November webinars on "Confronting the Crisis of Reading Among Children and Teens."  Please refer to the December 15 post in this thread which includes the handouts for the webinars and  requests assistance with finding a new home/sponsor for future webinars on the topic of promoting literacy, reading and critical thinking among all age groups.  

    Best,

    Frieda Afary

    Director-at-Large

    Intellectual Freedom Round Table

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    2. Re: Confronting the Crisis of Reading Webinar Handouts & Request for New Sponsor
    Email a reply to the discussion Send a private message via email
    Dec 22, 2025 1:53 PM
    Amanda Sand

    Hello! 

    The links to the webinar recordings can be found below. The recordings will be available until February 27, 2026. 

    Children's Webinar

    Passcode: +4^B$w&Y

    Teens Webinar

    Passcode: as&3G31*

    Disclaimer: The rights to recordings of this webinar are held by the American Library Association's Intellectual Freedom Round Table. Participants, registrants, and viewers do not have permission to capture and share video of this webinar on other platforms. To request permission to share content, please contact IFRT at IFRT@ala.org.

    Please note that the speakers' statements are their own and may not reflect views or positions held by the American Library Association.



    ------------------------------
    Amanda Sand
    amandasand.lib@gmail.com | 712-540-5148
    she|her

    Principal Consultant, Library Leverage, www.libraryleverage.com


    ------------------------------
    Frieda Afary
    Adult Librarian
    Retired From Los Angeles Public Library, Director-at-large, IFRT (2024-2026)
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    Original Message