Nebraska Librarians Invited to Promote the “Declaration for the Right to Libraries”

Join American Library Association (ALA) President Barbara Stripling in promoting the “Declaration for the Right to Libraries” by hosting a signing ceremony in your community! The Declaration is the cornerstone document of Stripling’s presidential initiative, Libraries Change Lives, which is designed to build the public will and sustained support for America’s right to libraries of all types – academic, special, school and public. Local “Declaration” events can focus on transformative library practices in literacy, innovation and community engagement.  These signing events can be held at the library and/or any community event. The petitions will be presented to Congress by library supporters during National Library Legislative Day activities from May 5 – 6, 2014.  Stripling recently encouraged local action with this statement: “The Declaration will serve as an advocacy tool to help communities take action and illustrate the value of their libraries and library staff. Our hope is that library supporters will take advantage of this tool and present collected signatures to local leaders and legislators throughout the year.” The “Declaration for the Right to Libraries” is based on the following assumptions:

1. Libraries Empower the Individual
2. Libraries Support Literacy and Lifelong Learning
3. Libraries Strengthen Families
4. Libraries are the Great Equalizer
5. Libraries Build Communities
6. Libraries Protect Our Right to Know
7. Libraries Strengthen Our Nation
8. Libraries Advance Research and Scholarship
9. Libraries Help Us to Better Understand Each Other
10. Libraries Preserve Our Nation’s Cultural Heritage

Informational resources and materials to help plan local activitie are available at: www.ilovelibraries.org/declaration www.ala.org/declaration www.barbarastripling.org www.ala.org/advocacy/declaration-right-libraries-toolkit www.facebook.com/DeclarationforLibraries; Twitter: #right2libs www.flickr.com/groups/2255930@N20/.    Goals of the Declaration for the Right to Libraries Project include:

1. Increase public and media awareness about the critical role of libraries in communities around the country.
2. Inspire ongoing conversations about the role of the library in community.
3. Cultivate a network of community allies and advocates for the library.
4. Position the library as a trusted convener to help in the response to community issues.