PLA knows its members and their libraries may be struggling to respond to the post-election challenges our communities face. Public libraries have an unparalleled ability to bring people and knowledge together, especially in times of uncertainty and division.
As we invite our communities to have critical conversations, we must be committed to ensuring a safe place for all that reflects and serves the diversity of our nation. PLA offers the resources below to help its members serve their communities. To suggest additional resources, please email pla@ala.org.
Help Save IMLS
Help PLA Save Federal Funding for Libraries!
On March 16, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his preliminary budget proposal for 2018. In addition to drastic cuts across a wide range of departments and agencies, the proposed budget calls for the elimination of all federal funding to the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency charged with providing support to the nation's hundreds of thousands of libraries and museums.
How Public Libraries Are Responding
To see how public libraries are responding to post-election challenges in their communities, visit our post, "How has your library responded to post-election challenges?," by PLA President Felton Thomas on ALA Connect (PLA member login required). Join in the conversation to ask questions or to share how your library is responding.
Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library: How to Spot "Fake News"
PLA Webinars
Engaged and Inclusive: Libraries Embracing Racial Equity and Social Justice
Beyond Bilingual Storytime and ESL: Digging Deeper into Your Spanish Speaking Community
PLA Workbooks
Celebrate Diversity: Cultural Awareness
Public Libraries Online
Encouraging Diversity and Equity in Public Libraries
Dispatches from PLA 2016: Engaged and Inclusive
Can Children See Themselves in the Books on Your Shelves? Part I and Part II
Knowledge Is Power: Serving Gender Diverse Youth in the Library
Serving All Library Families in a Queer and Genderqueer Way
Public Libraries Podcast
Engaged and Inclusive: Institutional Approaches to Racial Equity and Social Justice
PLA 2016 Conference Speakers
Vernā Myers: How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them (TED Talk)
Anand Giridharadas: A tale of two Americas. And the mini-mart where they collided (TED Talk)
ALA Resources
ALA Public Programs Office: The Post-Election Library
ALA Public Programs Office: Fake News: A Library Resource Round-Up
ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services: Libraries Respond
ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services: Strategic Planning for Diversity
ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services: Recruiting for Diversity
ALSC: Unity. Kindness. Peace. Booklist
American Libraries: Fighting Fake News: How libraries can lead the way on media literacy
YALSA: When Libraries Become a Refuge for Youth in a Post-Election World
YALSA: Supporting Youth in the Post-2016 Election Climate
Additional Resources
The Aspen Institute: What Every American Should Know Library Series