[Michlib-l] New equity and social justice principle added to ALA Code of Ethics

[Amelia Nolan]

Matt, spot on with pointing out the difference in the wording and tone concerning this ninth ethic. If the reaction of some on this listserv is any indication--discussion and questioning is not to be tolerated or allowed and has actually devolved to guessing someone's race based on their opinion. Egads!


ALA does not speak for all librarians just as the AMA does not speak for all medical physicians. I have watched ALA over the years change from a nonprofit promoting and advocating for libraries and librarians to a political advocacy group. No thanks.


Amy Nolan

Children's Services Supervisor

St. Joseph Public Library

269-983-7167


________________________________
From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> on behalf of dreid reeseunitylibrary.org via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 5, 2021 8:23 AM
To: michlib-l at mcls.org; mweston dowagiacdl.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] New equity and social justice principle added to ALA Code of Ethics

The way that you state it, Matt, is a perfect way of addressing it as a conversation on this platform rather than an attack or an argument. You picked out the exact phrasing that I think is what prompted the initial outburst.


Thank you,


Danielle Reid, Director

Reese Unity District Library

2065 Gates St., PO Box 413

Reese, MI 48757

Phone: (989) 868-4120

Fax: (989) 868-4123

________________________________
From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> on behalf of mweston dowagiacdl.org via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 4, 2021 8:40 PM
To: michlib-l at mcls.org <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Subject: [Michlib-l] New equity and social justice principle added to ALA Code of Ethics

I'd like to support Karyn Ruley's concerns about ALA's most recent addition to their Code of Ethics.  Reading through the first eight principles, and into the first sentence of the ninth, there is a sense of the universal and of the common humanity we share with ourselves and our patrons.  "...all library users", "...each library user's rights", and "...the inherent dignity and rights of every person", changes dramatically in tone with "dismantle systemic and individual biases" and "advance racial and social justice".

Absolutely this is worthy of discussion, and this is the place for it.


Matt Weston, Library Director

Dowagiac District Library

211 Commercial St.

Dowagiac, MI  49047-1728

269-782-3826
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