LibrarianActivist.org

You may not have known that ALA has a policy (Policy 61) about library services to the poor. Similarly, you may not know that the Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) has a task force called the Homelessness, Hunger, and Poverty Task Force (HHPTF).

That was a lot of background, all to say that the HHPTF recently addressed Policy 61 in its survey report, now online. The ALA charged the HHPTF to survey ALA members about their knowledge of the policy, identify key issues and trends, and make recommendations. The report concluded that member respondents identified poor people using various manners, didn’t collaborate to provide programs or services to the poor because there was no official policy within ALA to do so, and felt that there was a lack of professional guidance from ALA regarding library services to the poor. 85% of respondents advocated training staff to sensitize them to issues affecting the poor and barriers hindering library use.

The report recommended that ALA “clarify why library service to the poor is integral to our profession [...] and not a fringe issue” (4). They suggested a number of specific ideas for ALA to this end, including a regular column in American Libraries, a dedicated ALA staff member, a toolkit for libraries interested in serving the poor, an ALA distinguished service award for libraries that successfully serve the poor, and an advocacy campaign similar to @ Your Library. They also suggested that, within libraries themselves, administrators include poor people and poverty-focused organisations in library decision-making (4).

Libraries who serve the poor are also asked to post resources to the Library Success Wiki.

For those of you not on the CLA listserv, there was an announcement of the publication of “The Community-Led Libraries Toolkit” (pdf), put together through a project called the “Working Together Project” led by four public libraries (Vancouver, Regina, Toronto, and Halifax). The toolkit:

offers eight Tools for use by library staff as they work out in community spaces with socially excluded individuals. The Toolkit is based in the Project’s real-life experiences and the lessons shared are based on some of our challenges and successes.

Also published recently are two new reports (here and here) by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives on the growing economic inequalities in Canada.

(from avaaz.org via Siue Moffat)

ahem: ‘ludricrous’ as in, well said. not ‘as if’. ludicrous, deifinitely.

Right now, a major UN summit in Bali has just a few days left to hammer out an agreement on stopping catastrophic climate change. But instead of helping out, Canada is actually sabotaging the talks! On Saturday, experts gave us the global “fossil” award for being the worst country in the world on climate change.

There’s still a few days left to save Canada’s reputation — and the climate — but we need a massive democratic roar to remind our Prime Minister what Canada is all about, and stop him from blocking the world at Bali. Click below to sign the petition, which will be advertized with the number of signatures in an ad campaign across Canada this week. The goal is to get 25,000 people to sign in the next 3 days — before the ads run. After you sign, forward this email to all your friends and family right away: Link

Prime Minister Harper’s short-sighted, undemocratic and big oil-driven policy on climate change is damaging the world and destroying our image as a good country. We’re supposed to be the nice guys, who try to do the right thing in the world.

The vast majority of Canadians are hopping mad on this issue — we can win this. We just need to show Harper how serious we are that he change course. Sign up now and forward this email to everyone you know - we’ve got just 3 days to hit 25,000 signatures!

Thanks for you help!

PS - Here are links to some more info on this:

David Suzuki (the Nature of Things) calls the government’s spin on climate change “humiliating” and “ludicrous”:
Toronto Star article

The former editor-in-chief of CBC news discusses the damage done by Canada’s climate policy to our international reputation: CBC article

-PC-

I am writing on behalf of Amnesty International Canada to invite the
you to promote and join “Write for Rights” - Amnesty International’s exciting global write-a-thon on Human Rights Day on December 10. During “Write for Rights” participants write short letters to bring attention to human rights violations or to offer support to human rights leaders at risk of harm in other countries. Of particular interest this year, one of the actions will address the harassment and arrest of union leaders in Viet Nam.

In 2006, 150,000 letters were written by “Write for Rights” participants in 40 countries to address a variety of local and international human rights concerns. This year we are asking supporters throughout Canada to promote “Write for Rights” to others who may be interested.

It’s free, easy and fun to host a “Write for Rights” event and the letters generated can make a profound difference in someone’s life. To register your event or find additional information
about “Write for Rights,” please visit http://www.amnesty.ca/writeathon/.

If you require further information please feel free to contact Amnesty Canada at writeathon@amnesty.ca or 1-800-AMNESTY.

Thanks,

Mandy Ashton
Amnesty International Canada

[via my mom ]

- JH

There is a big (and first ever) electoral reform referendum coming up in Ontario on October 10th.

When voters go to the polls for the next provincial election, they’ll also be voting on whether to implement a Mixed Member Proportional electoral system. Apparently, about half of all Ontarians don’t know what MMP is about, where it came from, and how it differs from the current first past the post system.

There’s no clearer job for a public librarian in Ontario right now that to be make information accessible and as visible as possible so that voters can make an informed choice at the polling station.

Here’s are a few resources to pass on. The video is getting nice reviews for bringing some clarity to the midst of confusion.

Spacing Wire coverage
Referendum Ontario
Vote for MMP
MMP Guide - Toronto Star
Articles and Related Links - Globe and Mail
TVO Big Ideas debate (added Oct 3.07)
Toronto Public Library Resource Guide (added Oct 5.07)

-PC-