Libraries Respond: 2016 Election - Our Most Vulnerable
Libraries Respond 2016: Election - Our Most Vulnerable
The role of the librarian and information science professional has changed greatly over the past few decades. Now more librarians have become agents for social change as they serve the most vulnerable in society. Librarians provide a spectrum of opportunities for upward mobility, equity, and equality through education, literacy, and access to information technologies. The services librarian and information service professional provide are invaluable to society. For instance, a young woman from a country that prohibits girls from seeking an education could receive their very first library card granting them the ability to read, learn English, enroll in school, and become a US citizen. A homeless individual might wander into a local library branch to access the free internet to discover a free workshop on job skills training seminar is in session. Libraries provide refuge during shootings, give meetings space to those who feel isolated and render hope to hopeless. Tax help, life skills training, immigration information, and ESL lessons, support groups- all of these things exist in public and local libraries. Libraries engage the community in finding resources for the poor, homeless, underserved, immigrants and marginalized people groups.
Here are some resources for libraries to better serve their communities:
- Library Development- Texas State Library guide for serving vulnerable communities.
- Libraries are Lifelines - Resources for librarians and social service professionals.
Contact
For more information, please contact:
ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services
50 E. Huron St.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
1-800-545-2433 ext. 4294
Fax: 312-280-3256
Email: diversity@ala.org