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.

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Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

  • 1.  Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 17, 2026 11:55 AM

    Hi SRRT Community,

    With great sadness, I'm sharing that long-time ALA and SRRT leader, Charles E. Kratz, Jr., has passed away. His obituary can be viewed here. A memorial service is being planned for March 18, at the Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room of the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Memorial Library at the University of Scranton, for those in the area. Donations can be made in his honor to the "Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library".

    With care,

    Hillary



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    Hillary Pearson
    she/her/hers
    Program Manager, Accessibility Services, Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)
    American Library Association
    P: (312) 280-5020
    hpearson@ala.org
    www.ala.org | www.ala.org/diversity
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  • 2.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 17, 2026 03:14 PM
    Wow, I was not expecting this announcement. I always enjoyed working with Charles. We served on several committees together over the years. He not only was an ALA colleague but he was also a friend. He really will be missed.

    Diedre Conkling
    diedre08@gmail.com
     
    "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."―Maya Angelou





  • 3.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 17, 2026 03:24 PM
    Thank you, Hillary. This is very sad news. Charles was an inspiration and a guiding light to many of us. This is heartbreaking news. My deepest condolences to his family. 

    Sincerely,

    Derek Wilmott Montoya







  • 4.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 17, 2026 11:45 PM
    Oh no! That is so heartbreaking. I talked with him just a month or so ago. :(


    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.



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 18, 2026 11:00 AM
    So sorry to hear this. Charles was someone who welcomed me into SRRT when I first got started. I found him to be principled and strategic. And kind above all else. I’m grateful for his contributions and legacy. His family, friends, and colleagues will be in my thoughts.

    Joseph
    Sent from my iPhone


    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 18, 2026 07:06 PM
    I am so sorry to hear this - very sad and unexpected news. 
    Julie



    Julie Ann Winkelstein, PhD, MLIS
    Librarian, writer, teacher, activist
    Author: Libraries and Homelessness: An Action Guide (https://products.abc-clio.com/abc-cliocorporate/product.aspx?pc=A5708P)
    jwinkels@utk.edu

    My pronouns are she, her, hers

    Google is not a verb!





    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 17, 2026 07:36 PM
    Charles was a longtime ALA Councilor. He got heavily involved in SRRT when he became very frustrated and upset at the direction that the Council was leading the association. He stepped up to be SRRT Coordinator, then SRRT Treasurer, and then Co-Coordinator again. He also worked hard in the Round Table Coordinating Assembly to try to mitigate some of the policies coming out of the Council. He was excellent in interfacing with the ALA Bureaucracy, and excellent in unifying the Action Council in its struggles against the regressive policies adopted by the association over the last years. I already miss his calm and supportive leadership.




  • 8.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 17, 2026 08:59 PM
    Very sorry to hear that. My condolences to all his family and friends. Michael 

    ----------------
    Chicago, Illinois
    Editor, Caxtonian
    Van az a penz






  • 9.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 17, 2026 11:58 PM
    This is so sad, and completely unexpected. Charles was a steady hand on the wheel as co-coordinator during some turbulent times for SRRT. I will miss seeing him. Deepest condolences to all his friends and family.





  • 10.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 18, 2026 06:19 AM
    I am so sorry to hear this sad news.  My condolences to his friends and family.  Michael


    --
    ----------------
    Chicago, Illinois
    Editor, Caxtonian
    Van az a penz




    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 18, 2026 12:37 PM

    Thank you for sharing this sad news, Hillary. What a loss to the SRRT community, library land, and beyond.

    I didn't know him very well, but Charles was always a pleasure to work with in SRRT, and will be sorely missed. 

    My condolences to his loved ones.

    Olivia



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    Olivia Blake (she/her)
    orhysb@gmail.com
    Systems & User Services Support Librarian, Library Connection, Inc.
    SRRT Action Council Co-Coordinator (2025-2026)
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  • 12.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 18, 2026 09:08 PM
    If anyone when they feel up to it has an anecdote they'd be willing to share (such as what you shared, Al) I would encourage you to submit it to the librarians we have lost program. My students read through many of them in class last semester. I want future librarians to know about the great people like Charles who made SRRT and ALA the impactful org it is.


    Joseph 




    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 19, 2026 08:27 AM
    Like others, I am so saddened by this unexpected news.

    Julie


    Julie Ann Winkelstein, PhD, MLIS
    Librarian, writer, teacher, activist
    Author: Libraries and Homelessness: An Action Guide (https://products.abc-clio.com/abc-cliocorporate/product.aspx?pc=A5708P)
    jwinkels@utk.edu

    My pronouns are she, her, hers

    Google is not a verb!





    Original Message


  • 14.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 19, 2026 12:26 PM

    How incredibly sad. Charles will be missed, his commitment to  our profession  was profound. I will always remember him with great fondness and respect. 



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    Laura Koltutsky
    Learning Projects Librarian
    University of Calgary
    She/Her/Hers
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  • 15.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 19, 2026 05:30 PM
    Edited by Mark Rosenzweig Feb 20, 2026 12:13 PM

    SO sad to hear this! I missed Charles' presence qand input recently and wondcered if he was OK. 
    Charles was a very decent and principled ALAer  and SRRTer, an important  link in the struggle for social responsibilities in the profession.
    His work was valued. He will be missed.


    Mark Rosenzweig



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    Mark Rosenzweig
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    Original Message


  • 16.  RE: Sad news to share: Passing of Charles E. Kratz, Jr.

    Posted Feb 21, 2026 06:43 PM

    Sorry to weigh in a little late but I too was saddened to learn of Charles' passing. His social justice commitment and humane and honest nature was inspiring, and he taught me a lot about employing diplomacy and battling entrenched structures within ALA. RIP, CK, and condolences to your family. - Mike Marlin 



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    Mike Marlin
    Director, California Braille and Talking Book Library
    California State Library
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