You may have read Dr. Kwang-Wu Kim’s statement, sent out to the Columbia community earlier this week. If not, you can read it here.
On Tuesday, the President of the American Library Association (ALA) released a statement declaring the important role of all libraries–including our own Columbia College Chicago Library–as safe and welcoming spaces for all and a force in promoting inclusion and diversity.
“Libraries provide a safe place for individuals of all ages and backgrounds and for difficult discussions on social issues. Our nation’s libraries serve all community members, including people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, and the most vulnerable in our communities, offering services and educational resources that transform communities, open minds and promote inclusion and diversity.”
“…ALA believes that the struggle against racism, prejudice, stereotyping, and discrimination is central to our mission. We will continue to support efforts to abolish intolerance and cultural invisibility, stand up for all the members of the communities we serve, and promote understanding and inclusion through our work.”
Image by Oregon Department of Transportation, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
