Model Letters in Response to Issues Affecting Chapters

Below are links to model letters in response to issues affecting ALA Chapters. They are organized under topics. If your Chapter would like to submit a model letter as a resource for other Chapters, please send to Mariel Colbert.

Censorship Issues | Bible | LGBTQ Issues | Importance and Value of Libraries | Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA

Censorship Issues

On October 10, 2018, The Thomas More Society filed a lawsuit in Arapahoe County District Court against EBSCO Industries Inc. (EBSCO) and the Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC). The lawsuit is brought on behalf of Pornography is Not Education, a small Colorado group led by Robin and Drew Patterson. Their complaint alleges that EBSCO “knowingly provides sexually explicit and obscene materials to school children,” and that CLiC “purchases from EBSCO and knowingly brokers sexuallly explicit, obscene, and harmful materials to Colorado school children.

Press Release: October 12, 2018

Bible

Bible as State Book

In April 2016, the Tennessee legislature voted to make Tennessee the first state in the nation to make the Holy Bible its official state book. Gov. Bill Haslam vetoed the controversial bill on April 19 that would have made the Holy Bible the official state book of Tennessee. Lawmakers need only a simple majority in both chambers to overturn a veto. On April 20, Tennessee lawmakers did not have sufficient votes to override Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's veto of a bill that would have made Tennessee the first state to adopt the Bible as its official book. Forty-three House members voted in favor of the bill, but supporters needed 50 to meet the threshold of the 99-member chamber. Both the House and Senate would need to a majority vote for the bill to become law. The Senate has not voted on the governor’s veto but had approved the bill 19-8 earlier this month.

Letter sent to Gov. Bill Haslam by the Tennessee Library Association

Importance and Value of Libraries

Thriving communities depend on smart public investment in libraries by Ling Hwey Jeng, Texas Library Association, President 2017-2018; Co-Chair, United Way of Denton County, Community Needs Assessment; Professor and Director, School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Woman’s University

Institute of Museum and Library Services Library Services and Technology Act

To take action through ALA, see Fund Libraries landing page.

A model letter was written by Alabama Library Association President Jeffrey D. Graveline. "I write to urge your support for the education, workforce, and economic development needs of Americans by providing $186.6 million for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) in the fiscal year 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill."

A model letter from the Kansas Library Association President Gloria Creed-Dikeogu. "On behalf of all Kansas librarians and the residents who use library services, I ask that you oppose a pending resource catastrophe in our libraries and that funding to the IMLS be increased and NOT eliminated."

Articles and Electronic Messages

The Ohio Library Council has responded to the ALA's call to action on the proposed cuts to IMLS funding with the following stories on the OLC website:

ALA Asks Members to Contact Congress, Save the IMLS (3/23/17)

ALA: Action is Necessary Now to Help Save Federal Funding for Libraries (3/23/17)

LGBTQ Issues

Transgender Laws

Transgender laws, like that of North Carolina, require people to use public bathrooms matching their biological sex.

Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act (NC)

Letter sent to North Carolina governor by ALA in response to House Bill 2, prior to adoption

Letter opposing the law sent by the North Carolina Library Association.