ALA responds to concerns about recent efforts to exclude materials

CHICAGO – The American Library Association (ALA) released the following statement in response to reports that trusted cultural institutions have altered or excluded photographs from exhibits that included protest signs unflattering to our current administration.

“The American Library Association has long affirmed that any alteration, deletion, or editing of materials held by a library or archives, when done for the purpose of avoiding controversy or concealing the truth, is an act of censorship that is inconsistent with ALA’s core values. We call on all institutions and those who work for them to resist such censorship in conformity with ALA’s Library Bill of Rights and its Interpretation on the Expurgation of Library Resources, and express our deep concern about recent claims that historic photographs have been altered or excluded by libraries and institutions charged with preserving these materials.”

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library’s role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.