Mission
SRRT is a unit within the American Library Association. It works to make ALA more democratic and to establish progressive priorities not only for the Association, but also for the entire profession. Concern for human and economic rights was an important element in the founding of SRRT and remains an urgent concern today. SRRT believes that libraries and librarians must recognize and help solve social problems and inequities in order to carry out their mandate to work for the common good and bolster democracy. SRRT's main Web site is hosted at http://libr.org/SRRT.
Responsibilities
Events
Initiatives & Projects
News
Current SRRT Task Forces
| Alternatives in Publication: Advocates local selection and cataloging of materials from small and alternative presses and independent producers by sponsoring programs and Internet discussions; linking grassroots groups; and producing reviews, articles, exhibits, on-line resources, the biennial Alternative Publishers of Books in North America, etc. Gives annual Jackie Eubanks Memorial Award of $500 to an individual for outstanding achievement in promoting acquisition and use of alternative materials in libraries.
Environment: Promotes awareness of environmental issues within ALA; addresses information exchange on the world environment; and provides services, programs and publications that assist librarians with environmental issues in the workplace and in local communities. Feminist: Brings active feminism to ALA. Focuses on women's issues and experiences and on the exchange of information and resources on women's issues. Serves as a vehicle for feminist activism within the profession through coalition building, programs and activities such as mentoring and promotion of women's presses. Publishes quarterly newsletter, Women in Libraries. Hunger, Homelessness & Poverty: Fosters--through programs, lobbying, and publications--a greater awareness of the dimensions, causes, and ways to end hunger, homelessness, and poverty, as well as a better recognition of the library/poverty nexus. Also monitors and encourages implementation of ALA's Policy on Library Services to Poor People. Information Policy in the Public Interest Task Force: To provide a working group for progressive activists and analysts engaging issues, affecting or potentially affecting libraries, arising from national and international policy-making processes and organizations which, at an increasingly global level, seek to define, develop, and regulate the many elements of the overall information environment, its flows and functions. The IPPI Task Force invites librarians with a social-responsibilities perspective (as outlined by the history of the work of SRRT since its inception in ALA and SRRT's current mandates) to work together to establish progressive priorities in the library world with regard to information policy issues. International Responsibilities : Provides a forum for discussion of and work on the international dimension of SRRT issues, especially matters concerning human rights and freedom of expression. Particular emphasis is given to current situations in which U.S. policy is likely to have a major impact. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday: To support and advance the observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday as an American celebration through collaborative relations with the Social Responsibilites Round Table, the Office of Literacy and Outreach Services, and in cooperation with the caucuses and all other ALA units. |