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.

Record of signed statements

  • 1.  Record of signed statements

    Posted Feb 25, 2026 10:24 PM

    Hello everybody,

    I feel like over the years SRRT has lent its support to efforts of other organizations by signing statements, open letters, declarations, etc. It seems like it's something that we have done fairy quickly at meetings, and the follow up has presumably been the communication with the organization. I'm wondering if the record of these actions is just in the meeting minutes, or if we've consistently shared it in the newsletters, or if there is possibly a central record. I'm thinking it might be good to publicize these actions a bit more, and to make a list available. I think it's something we could make a bit more of. Or is my memory tricking me and this is not a thing we have been doing? 

    Rory Litwin



    ------------------------------
    Rory Litwin
    President
    Library Juice Academy
    He/Him/His
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Feb 26, 2026 08:58 AM
    Rory and all,

    I think most of what you are referring to has been endorsing the requests of other ALA bodies to sign on to their resolutions for the ALA Council. I have never tried to compile these endorsements but you can find them in the minutes, newsletters, and in my writings. We have also endorsed some actions at ALA conferences such as joining picket lines in solidarity with labor unions. There might be some other endorsements but they don't come to mind.

    Perhaps related, SRRT has organized many demonstrations, and we recently complied a list of them. See below.

    Al


    SRRT Demonstrations, Awards, and Toolkit

     

    1971 

    Sit-in at IFC meeting to promote equality policy by sexual orientation

    "Kiss-In" at the "Hug a Homosexual Booth" with JMRT

    1st Annual Gay Book Awards

    Demonstration Against Sexist Children's Books at Newbury-Caldecott Dinner

    Male Chauvinism Awards

    Sit-in at the Library of Congress to Protest Firing of Black Staff 

     

    1974: 1st Alternative Press Book Fair 

     

    1980: 1st annual Coretta Scott King Award Breakfast 

     

    1989: Delegation to March on Washington for Women's Rights

     

    1992: 1st annual Feminist Author Breakfast

     

    1993: Rally and March for Gay and Lesbian Rights at Colorado Capitol

     

    1995

    Demonstration in Support of Mumia Abu-Jamal

    Enola Gay Poster Session (material censored from the Smithsonian exhibit)

     

    1999: Demonstration against Former General Colin Powell as Keynote Speaker

     

    2001: 1st annual Amelia Bloomer Project Awards (for feminist youth books)

     

    2003: SRRT Party and Welcome to Cuban Librarians

     

    2005: Protest against the Disney Corporation

     

    2011: Leafleting for UNITE HERE to honor boycott of Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego

     

    2012: Extending Our Reach: Reducing Homelessness Through Library Engagement toolkit

     

    2015: Book drive with the San Francisco Public Library and five local organizations for homeless shelters and transitional housing

     

    2019

    Herb Biblo Outstanding Leadership Award for Social Justice & Equality approved

    Protest against the CIA's presence in the exhibit hall

     

    2025: Joined demo in solidarity with UNITE HERE Local 274 in Philadelphia

     

     

     

     






  • 3.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Feb 26, 2026 09:01 AM
    Thanks, that's very helpful. Does that list live somewhere public?






  • 4.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Feb 26, 2026 09:05 AM
    That list is not on the website, but we could ask to add it.
    Al







  • 5.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Feb 27, 2026 02:43 PM
    All,

    Please see the new page at: https://www.ala.org/srrt/demonstrations.

    Should we add 2022? Several SRRT members participated in the demonstrations in DC after the overturning of Roe v. Wade?


    April

    --
    April Sheppard
    banhatenotbooks@gmail.com

    Please know that I honor and respect boundaries around personal time, well-being, caretaking, and time off. My work hours may be different than yours. Should you receive emails from me during a time that you're engaging in any of the above, please protect your time and wait to respond until you're working.





  • 6.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Feb 28, 2026 09:38 AM
    Donald Michael reacted to your message:





  • 7.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Feb 28, 2026 09:38 AM
    Yes, that should be included.

    CPCC Digital Literacy Specialist
    Instructional and Research Services Department
    CPCC Libraries
    Office: 704-330-3598

    ALA SRRT-Action Council Member (25-26)
    Member of ALA - ALA - Committee on Diversity (24-26)





  • 8.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Feb 28, 2026 12:04 PM
    And maybe also this:

    January 2017 - SRRT members attending ALA Annual helped organize a large contingent of librarians to join the March for Women and Social Justice in Atlanta.

    - Mark

    Sent from my iPad





  • 9.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Feb 27, 2026 03:57 PM
    Something else I would add to the list of SRRT demonstrations etc.: in January 2017 SRRT members attending ALA Annual helped organize a large contingent of librarians to join the March for Women and Social Justice in Atlanta.

    - Mark Hudson





  • 10.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Feb 27, 2026 05:49 PM
    Thanks Mark. I remember it well.
    Al




  • 11.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Feb 28, 2026 06:02 PM
    We had a Librarians for Peace Brigade as part of the anti- Vietnam march on Washington - see cover of Librarians Journal (1971?).i believe the Feminist Task Force has a long record too
    Pat 
    Sent from my iPad





  • 12.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Mar 01, 2026 08:54 AM
    Thank you everyone. I'll add these to the page tomorrow. Please post any others that you can think of.


    April Sheppard
    banhatenotbooks@gmail.com

    Please know that I honor and respect boundaries around personal time, well-being, caretaking, and time off. My work hours may be different than yours. Should you receive emails from me during a time that you're engaging in any of the above, please protect your time and wait to respond until you're working.





  • 13.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Mar 02, 2026 10:10 AM
    I added these to the page. 

    Pat, looking online, it looks like the anti-Vietnam march happened in 1969, so I used that date.


    April

    --
    April Sheppard
    banhatenotbooks@gmail.com

    Please know that I honor and respect boundaries around personal time, well-being, caretaking, and time off. My work hours may be different than yours. Should you receive emails from me during a time that you're engaging in any of the above, please protect your time and wait to respond until you're working.





  • 14.  RE: Record of signed statements

    Posted Mar 02, 2026 01:15 PM
    Thanks April

    I an sure you are right. So many years!


    Pat 
    Sent from my iPad