We're two weeks away from SRRT's fourth Afternoon of Social Justice! This free virtual event features scholars and librarians as they present on a variety of topics including feminist struggles in times of crises, disabilities, and boycotts. Time will be allowed at the end of each presentation for questions and discussions. Registration is free and you do not have to be a SRRT or ALA member, but each session must be individually registered for. The first two sessions will be recorded.
Here are this year's sessions. Hope to see you on August 9th!
Panel: What Can U.S. Librarians Learn from Feminist Struggles Against Imperialist Invasion in Ukraine, Military Wars in Sudan and Religious Fundamentalism in Iran?
12:00pm – 1:30pm (Central)
Feminists are actively involved in the current struggles against Russia's imperialist invasion of Ukraine, war between military factions in Sudan, and religious fundamentalist rule in Iran. What are the unique features of the struggles of women in these countries today? What can U.S. librarians learn from them as we face growing authoritarianism, racism, misogyny and homophobia in the U.S.? How can librarians and feminists in these countries help each other's struggles?
Panelists: Frieda Afary, Public librarian, translator, writer, activist, and author
Dr. Tetiana Hranchak, Head, Department of Political Analysis, Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine, member of the Board of the Ukrainian Library Association
Israa Abbas, poet, researcher, cataloger, archivist, and founder of the Sudanese Poetics Archive and the Sudanese Literature Archive
Register: https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wHVxGUh0SxmBlcomX2blqg
Disability is Not a Bad Word
1:45pm – 2:45pm (Central)
A critical step towards making libraries more equitable, diverse, and inclusive is increasing library staff awareness about disability. Accessibility is more than just wheelchair access and website functionality. It includes a library's culture surrounding the way disability is understood and discussed. And importantly, it means ensuring libraries are inclusive not only for patrons but also library workers with disabilities. To create a more inclusive culture, library staff and administration can start by improving their understanding of accessible language and disability concepts. This session uses a disability justice framework to explore the historical context of disability, which connects to the importance of disability as a part of EDI work in libraries. Attendees will learn the importance of terminology in disability inclusion and receive strategies to incorporate accessible language into their library cultures.
Panelists: Katelyn Quirin Manwiller, Education Librarian, West Chester University
Brea McQueen, Student Success Librarian, Miami University Regionals
Register: https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_80Em1ZASRVCCUYyx_1bYww
Film Screening & Discussion: Boycott (Session will not be recorded)
3:00pm – 4:30pm (Central)
The film will be Boycott, produced by Just Vision. Boycott follows the stories of a news publisher in Arkansas, an attorney in Arizona, and a speech therapist in Texas, who, when forced to choose between their jobs and their political beliefs, launch legal battles that expose an attack on freedom of speech across the US. The film traces the impact of state legislation passed in 35 states designed to penalize individuals and companies that choose to boycott Israel due to its human rights record. Several of these state laws have been declared unconstitutional, but the Arkansas law has been upheld in court. The state anti-boycott laws discussed in the film were drafted by the rightwing organization ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council). Since 2021 ALEC has also utilized this legislation as a template for bills banning state contracts with companies that engage in boycotts of fossil fuels and the firearms industry and bills banning state investment in companies that practice responsible environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG). The film showing will be followed by discussion.
Moderator: Al Kagan, SRRT Action Council and IRTF Member
Speaker: Daniel Nerenberg, Just Vision Education and Communications Specialist
Register for live event: https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0J3u5jTjTFS1gAh8QCv_dw
SRRT Programming Committee
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April Sheppard
Assistant Library Director
Arkansas State University
She/They/Hers/Theirs
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