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.

  • 1.  Statement by former ALA President, Michael Gorman, re: Core Values revision

    Posted Feb 19, 2024 05:20 PM

    This is the statement which ex-ALA President , Michael Gorman made and agreed to have us distribute, when asked, but declined, to attend today's SRRTAC meeting's discussion of the core values revision issue. Michael Gorman was the author of "Our Enduring Values: Librarianship in the 21st Century" and was responsible for guiding the discussion of the core values promulgated in 2004 .
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    "Dear Friends

    I am afraid that I haven't the energy to speak on this topic--especially after noting that this is a time of crisis in which librarians and their values are under continual attacks from anti-democratic, socially irresponsible racist and homophobic haters of education simply for being professionals with values.

    The core values statement was the result of many discussions over a long period and was drafted and presented by me for a committee headed by the current Librarian of Congress. 

    This was after I had written a book on the values of librarianship after studying the topic for a long time. 

    It defeats me WTF these people think they were doing "simplifying" a relatively short document  at this time of all times. 

    If you wish to pass my views on to the group. please do.

    All the best to all, Michael
    _____

    Mark C. Rosenzweig, co-chair of SRRT/IRTF



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    Mark Rosenzweig
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  • 2.  RE: Statement by former ALA President, Michael Gorman, re: Core Values revision

    Posted Feb 20, 2024 12:37 PM

    I could not agree more with Mr.  Gorman.  A ridiculous exercise at this time in our history.  



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    Deborah Corbin
    Branch Assistant
    York County Library
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  • 3.  RE: Statement by former ALA President, Michael Gorman, re: Core Values revision

    Posted Feb 21, 2024 01:09 PM
    Thank you Michael Gorman!  I really appreciate your statement.  The ALA needs to reinstate the core values which it deleted:  Democracy, Social Responsibility, Diversity, Professionalism, Education and Lifelong Learning.

    At a time when authoritarianism is on the rise, we librarians need to stand up and proudly defend these values.  The current list of core values simply do not make up for their loss. 

    Frieda Afary
    Iranian American Public Librarian and Author
    Los Angeles