Declaring Alabama's Right to Libraries

Librarians from all over Alabama flocked to Montgomery yesterday for Alabama Library Legislative Day.  Library Legislative day happens every year, but yesterday was special-- not just because Governor Bentley proclaimed it Alabama Library Legislative Day, but because librarians and legislators gathered to sign the Declaration for Alabama's Right to Libraries.

The Declaration for the Right to Libraries (ala.org)

Samford Library's own Lori Northrup helped to organize the event, which was one of a series of events like it that took place in state capitols and libraries across the country.  The Declaration for the Right to Libraries is an American Library Association initiative to highlight the critical importance of libraries of all kinds in our communities.
 

In the spirit of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we believe that libraries are essential to a democratic society.  Every day, in countless communities across our nation and the world, millions of children, students and adults use libraries to learn, grow, and achieve their dreams.  In addition to a vast array of books, computers and other resources, library users benefit from the expert teaching and guidance of librarians and library staff to help expand their minds and open new worlds.

-Declaration for the Right to Libraries, 2014. ala.org

Lori Northrup signing the Declaration

In addition to the Declaration signing ceremony, librarians and library supporters visited the Alabama State House while the legislature was in session, where they (hopefully) located their local representatives and presented them with goody bags to remind them of the importance of libraries in their home districts.

Lori and Jane in the Alabama State House.

You can show your support for libraries by signing the Declaration for the Right to Libraries here:  http://www.ilovelibraries.org/declaration/sign