Hunger, Homelessness & Poverty Task Force – SRRT/ALA
Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association
“What’s important is that people use their libraries. We want to make sure that our community has access to the materials and services we provide,” said a statement from the BCLS. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have not charged any overdue fines so patrons had one less thing to worry about, so we are already … Continue reading “Bay County Library System Goes Fine Free”
From picture books onwards, “home” as a predictable, stable and safe place is a central subject despite a significant percentage of people who experience homelessness. These experiences are not often written about and if they are, not positively reflected in literature. To create more equitable literacy learning environments, as well as providing a counterpoint to … Continue reading “Booklist Committee Volunteers Needed”
“Best news ever. This is seriously a game changer for me. I had late fees from when I was in the hospital and wouldn’t go back because I couldn’t afford to pay them.” Read more
August 12–13, 2019 Charleston County Public Library Charleston, SC October 28–29, 2019 Chicago Public Library Chicago, IL “Libraries across the country are making stronger commitments to equitable library services for all. Librarians, library administrators, library staff, and other stakeholders are encouraged to join us to grow the collective capacity and connections we will need to … Continue reading “Social Justice and Public Libraries: Equity Starts with Us”
“David Siders, the library’s civic engagement coordinator, told WCPO that the services are an attempt to bolster the community and break away from some of the conventional thinking about the role of libraries.” Read more
“A Tempe Marine veteran is putting literature on two wheels to deliver library services to people who are homeless via the Tempe Book Bike Program. The program is housed under the Tempe Public Library, which is the closest public library to ASU’s Tempe campus. The program acts as a mobile book service that allows … Continue reading “Tempe Book Bike Program Aims to Boost Literacy to Underserved Communities”
“‘Our intention is to provide opportunities for dialogue and getting to know people on a different level,’ said Derek Wolfgram, Redwood City library director. ‘It’s really an invitation for people to get to know their fellow community members. … It’s easy to demean someone when you don’t know anyone like them.’ The experiment, The Human … Continue reading “Redwood City: Library Takes Novel Approach to Breaking Stereotypes”
“‘It was really odd and we couldn’t quite figure it out,’ Auckland Libraries manager Rachael Rivera told The Guardian. ‘We thought someone was playing with us, or it was bored kids.’ It was only in one of their regular meetings with the library’s homeless patrons that the solution revealed itself. Unable to get library cards without … Continue reading “Why a New Zealand Library’s Books Kept Vanishing, Then Reappearing”
“The current administration’s early stances on civil liberties are troubling,” he said. “There are indications that they would support changes that could curtail free expression, whether it’s ending net neutrality or changing libel laws to make it easier to sue someone for saying unpleasant but true things about you.” Read more
“It’s pretty important to the Kansas City library that we’re welcoming of all our patrons, everyone who chooses to be here. It doesn’t matter if they’re housed or not. That’s not an issue. Every citizen can use the library,” said AmeriCorps worker Emily Luedtke. Read more