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In the past several months, there has been a dramatic increase in challenges to library materials, programs, and access in school and public libraries.
Adverse legislation is increasing in several states that would limit curriculum in classrooms and access in libraries - some would even remove longstanding legal protections that shield libraries and library workers from criminal prosecution for providing
access to books and online resources to minors.
We at United for Libraries are working to support all libraries in their efforts to fight censorship and support intellectual freedom. The United
for Libraries Intellectual Freedom Task Force has organized a two-part webinar, “Keeping
Governance on Track,” that will be presented by the United for Libraries Intellectual Freedom Task Force on March 29 and 31. These webinars will be free to all, thanks to a bequest from the late Jack Neal. More information is below - please
register and spread the word.
In addition, the task force has launched two resources to support Trustees and libraries to prepare for program, material, and access challenges:
“Terms
and Definitions Related to Intellectual Freedom & Censorship" and “Materials
Challenges: Key Library Policies to Review and Revise”.
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More United tools can be found at “Trustee
Resources for Program & Material Challenges,” and ALA's "Fight
Censorship" resource page includes further information on preparing for and responding to challenges, censorship legislation, how to support intellectual freedom, and more.
Thank you for all you do for libraries, especially at this crucial time.
Charity Tyler
2021-2022 United for Libraries President
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Free ‘Keeping Governance on Track’ webinars March 29 and 31
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Library boards are facing an increase in disruptions during board meetings, often making it difficult to conduct necessary board business. With
the rise in challenges to library materials and programs, boards can be impacted internally (conflict/dissent among board members) and externally (public comment and disruptions from meeting observers). In “Keeping
Governance on Track,” professional parliamentarian
Nancy Sylvester (pictured) will share actions, training, and preparation boards and library directors can take now to be ready for problems and issues,
and tips/best practices for handling in the moment problems/issues in board meetings. The March 29 webinar will address actions, training, preparation, etc. boards and library directors take to be prepared for problems/issues. The March 31 webinar will be
a mock board meeting. This series is made possible by the Jack Neal Fund.
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Register for Learning Live Roundtable Discussions March 15
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United for Libraries’ Learning Live program for March will feature roundtable discussions on “Friends, Foundations, and Fundraising” Tuesday,
March 15, 2022 at 2 p.m. Eastern. Learning Live programs are open only to United for Libraries members (including those in statewide group member states MA, MD, MI, NE, SC, SD, & TX and statewide training partner states MT, ND, NH, OR, & VA).
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Save the date: United Virtual, Aug. 9-11, 2022
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United for Libraries Virtual: Trustees – Friends – Foundations, the third annual virtual conference for library Trustees, Friends, Foundations,
and staff who work with them, will be held Aug. 9-11, 2022.
Sign up now to receive updates on program proposals, registration, and speakers.
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United for Libraries blog
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United for Libraries has debuted a blog at
http://united.ala.org. Visit to read about upcoming events, and conferences, updates on United for Libraries resources and initiatives, news about Friends
of the Library groups, library Trustees, and library Foundations across the country, and more.
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PLA virtual town hall on "Facing the Challenge: Intellectual Freedom in Libraries" now available
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As libraries continue confronting unprecedented attacks on the freedom to read, the Public Library Association (PLA) has made available a recording
of a
virtual town hall held on March 4. As those who have faced book banning attempts and related legislative efforts know, the experience is often isolating
and stressful. During this free event, speakers participated in facilitated conversations that explored effective responses to the coordinated attempts at censorship currently sweeping the nation. Register to view the recording
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Registration is open for the 2022 ALA Annual Conference
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Registration
is open for the
2022 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition, to be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and surrounding hotels in Washington, D.C., June 23-28,
2022. The event will feature more than 160 education sessions. United for Libraries will present sessions including “Ask the Experts: Friends of Libraries,” “Library Boards: Roles, Responsibilities, and Best Practices,” “Transformational Capital Campaigns,”
and much more, along with author panels and ticketed events. The full conference scheduler will launch in April.
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‘Ask an Expert’ program at PLA Conference will detail best practices for library boards
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United for Libraries will present “Ask
an Expert: Boards of Trustees” at the
Public Library Association Conference
(March 23-25, Portland, Ore.). A panel of experts will address common issues that arise among library Boards and how to solve them. Panelists will present two in-depth scenarios, provide tips and best practices, and answer questions from
attendees about the presented scenarios. During a "lightning round" session, speakers will field questions from attendees.
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Preparing your Board of Trustees for a challenge or crisis
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Is your library and its Board of Trustees prepared for a crisis? Do your policies properly address intellectual freedom issues? How do you handle
it when a board member speaks against a board decision? What happens when a board member's values clash with a board decision? The on-demand session “Challenges
& Crises: Preparing Your Board of Trustees,” featuring experts on these topics, is available on-demand via
ALA eLearning. Learn how to be proactive in developing a well-prepared board, and what best practices, policies, and procedures need to be developed or
revisited.
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John Cotton Dana Award applications due April 1
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Friends of the Library groups are among those eligible to apply for the
John Cotton Dana Award, one of the most prestigious awards given to libraries The John Cotton Dana Award honors outstanding library public relations. Up
to eight $10,000 awards will be provided by the H.W. Wilson Foundation in 2022. Applications are due April 1.
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Spotlight: Friends of Tennessee Libraries
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The
Friends of Tennessee Libraries (FOTL) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The group has also recently organized into a team of mentors, organized
by experience and specialty. Upon request from a Friends group, FOTL mentors with experience as Friends as well as familiarity with successful strategies of FOTL groups will provide confidential recommendations addressing specific needs. Also in the works
for FOTL is advocating for their libraries as part of the annual Tennessee Library Legislative Day on March 15. And during the
Friends and Trustees Luncheon at the Tennessee Library Association Conference, they’ll recognize the 2021 Friends of the Year, and Mary Pom Claiborne,
assistant director of marketing, development, and communications for the Knox County Public Library (KCPL), will share valuable lessons that the pandemic has taught library advocates about promoting the libraries that they love.
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Foundations & Fundraising
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Virtual and hybrid fundraisers
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In case you missed it: a recent
United for Libraries Learning Live
program focused on successful virtual and hybrid fundraisers across the country. Presenters Reed Davaz McGowan (Eugene [Ore.] Public Library Foundation) and Kerry Barnes (Tompkins County [N.Y.] Public Library Foundation) discussed the planning
of their respective campaigns, including Eugene Public Library Foundation’s
Imagination Library Luncheon and
Tomkins County Public Library Foundation’s 2021 Readathon and “Hold On, Let Me Ask a Librarian” program. This Learning Live recording is open to United
for Libraries personal and group members, and those in statewide group member states MA, MD, MI, NE, SC, SD, & TX.
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Good Ideas from the Network
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ALA Editions recently published
Uncommon
Quotes for Library Lovers, a new collection of diverse and contemporary quotes that celebrate librarianship, libraries, and reading by writers and entertainers such as Celeste Ng, Ziggy Marley, Junot Diaz, Azar Nafisi, Stephen
Colbert, and Malala Yousafazai. Learn more about this uplifting collection at
www.alastore.ala.org/uncommon. It’s perfect for library Trustees, Friends, donors, volunteers, and more – and purchases fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation
programs for library and information professionals worldwide. For bulk orders and other special purchasing arrangements, contact
Peggy Galus.
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Friends
of the Marina (Calif.) Library presents a monthly “Dads Read” program, a monthly storytime featuring dads at the library playground. Each storytime also features outdoor games, building blocks, bubbles, gymnastics, and other activities.
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Does your Friends group, Foundation, or Board of Trustees have a good idea you would like featured? To submit, visit
https://www.ala.org/united/good-ideas. Stay tuned for information on how to access a searchable database of Good Ideas from the Network.
The Library of Michigan provides Michigan public libraries with statewide membership in UFL.
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