Missouri Librarians were sent a letter from the John Ashcroft, MO. Secretary of State on July 25, 2023 warning them that ALA uses "somewhat nefarious measures to restrict groups and organizations not subscribing to certain viewpoints from reserving meeting rooms and hosting events." An image of the letter is here:
BRAVE BOOKS (@BraveBooksUS) / X (twitter.com)
Libraries should review the ALA Meeting Room Policy and footnotes to the policy which provides guidance: Meeting Rooms: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues (ala.org)
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Kathleen de la Peña McCook
Distinguished University Professor
School of Information
University of South Florida
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Original Message:
Sent: Aug 03, 2023 03:05 AM
From: Diedre Conkling
Subject: FYI - ND Senator Calls for investigation of ALA
They also don't understand that ALA has no control over local libraries. Guidance on issues can come from ALA but libraries function the way they say they want government to function, local control. They also don't understand ALA conferences where programs are presented by small groups within ALA and really don't reach the majority of people working in libraries. They need a librarian to do some research for them.
--
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."―Maya Angelou
Original Message:
Sent: 8/2/2023 11:01:00 PM
From: Kathleen McCook
Subject: RE: FYI - ND Senator Calls for investigation of ALA
The letter is from Senators in 3 states--Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), and Senator Kevin Cramer (ND). The issue seems to be suggestions that were made at an ALA program about ways to avoid the August 5 "Library Takeover Campaign." IMLS does not directly fund ALA. I see only one grant to ALA in the latest list of IMLS grants--LG-254862-OLS-23 | Institute of Museum and Library Services (imls.gov) for developing new tools and training models to support authentic engagement of Spanish-speaking families. So, whoever drafted the letter did not look very carefully at how IMLS works with ALA.
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Kathleen de la Peña McCook
Distinguished University Professor
School of Information
University of South Florida
Original Message:
Sent: Aug 02, 2023 08:27 AM
From: April Sheppard
Subject: FYI - ND Senator Calls for investigation of ALA
I got this from the COL listserv. It does look like ALA is crafting a response:
Sen. Cramer, Colleagues Demand Investigation Into ALA's Religious Discrimination Against Brave Books
https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/sen-cramer-colleagues-demand-investigation-into-alas-religious-discrimination-against-brave-books
April
April Sheppard
SRRT Past-Coordinator
SRRT & RRT Web Committee
she/they
Dean B. Ellis Library | Assistant Library Director
P.O. Box 2040 | State University, AR 72467
Phone 870.972.2766 | asheppard@astate.edu
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