SRRT (Social Responsibilities Round Table)

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last person joined: 2 days ago 

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.  SRRT Wants You!

    Posted 20 days ago

    ...to run for coordinator or coordinator-elect! We have missed the deadline to add names to the ballot but are hopeing to hear from some people willing to stand as write in candidates. You don't need to have served on action council before. You don't even need to have served on action council before! Whether you're a new member looking to jump in with both feet or you're just wondering how to get more involved the SRRT action council would love to hear from you.  

    It's a tough job but someobody has to do it. If you're willing to give it a try you will have many people around you willing to help you through it. You can take a look at the SRRT AC Guidebook, post questions here, or message me through ALA connect. 

    I mean it: even if you're brand new, even if you think you don't know enough, believe me, you can learn on the job. You'll have people arund you to help you. I would love to hear from you, even if - especially if - you're someone who's never even piped up in a meeting before. I hope you'll consider it. I'd love to hear from you. 



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    Tara Brady
    Queens Public Library
    She/Her/Hers
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  • 2.  RE: SRRT Wants You!

    Posted 20 days ago
    Edited by Olivia Blake 20 days ago

    Tara, thank you for posting this! I'm going to pin your post temporarily to boost visibility.

    I'd like to add to Tara's message that serving as coordinator is a fantastic way to show up for the community (yes, even if you are a newcomer!) Social justice work, like nature, thrives in diversity, and there are so many ways to contribute - there is something for everyone. Writing letters, volunteering with community organizations, bringing snacks and water for protestors (or being on standby to help with first aid), providing rides to polls... 

    I've generally seen my own role as SRRT's action council coordinator as helping to open, expand, and protect space for this kind of work to happen in the first place. I've gotta say, running meetings isn't glamorous! (and most of us probably aren't reading Robert's Rules just for fun 😆)

    But, over and over, I am grateful for and impressed by the work I see my colleagues doing to help others every day.

    For folks who are considering running as a write in candidate, and who might be curious about what it's like to serve as SRRT's coordinator, please (really!!) feel free to shoot me an email! I'd be happy to hop onto a Zoom call with you to share more about my experience.

    Tara is right, it can be a tough job for sure. But it has also been incredibly rewarding to work with some of the most intelligent, compassionate folks, living their values, affecting real change, making the world a better place. (Like my fearless co-coordinator Rachel Rosekind!)

    Please consider lending your own skills, talents, and passion to the SRRT community in this way. The community needs your unique self! ❤️

    (Edit: for clarity)



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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)
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: SRRT Wants You!

    Posted 19 days ago
    Yes to everything Tara and Olivia said!

    I became Coordinator-Elect at the very first Action Council meeting I ever attended, less than 4 months after I joined SRRT! It's not an easy position, but there are lots of people rooting for you and helping you to succeed. 


    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.





  • 4.  RE: SRRT Wants You!

    Posted 17 days ago
    Just affirming all that has been said - we are a supportive team and eager to help develop new leadership who can help SRRT flourish in the present and beyond. Please reach out with any questions! 


    Rachel Rosekind, PhD, MLIS
    Editing | Research & Consulting | Communications | Teaching & Mentorship | Admissions 

    Community is not something we have. It's something we do. -Grace Lee Boggs
    You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time. -Angela Davis

    There's no single answer that will solve all of our future problems...Instead, there are thousands of answers–at least. You can be one of them if you choose to be. -Octavia Butler

    I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers that can't be questioned.-Richard P. Feynman

    Storytelling reveals meaning without committing the error of defining it. -Hannah Arendt