Declaration for the Right to Libraries

Declaration for the Right to Libraries

The Declaration for the Right to Libraries is the cornerstone document of ALA President Barbara Stripling’s presidential initiative, Libraries Change Lives, which is designed to build the public will and sustained support for America’s right to libraries of all types – academic, special, school and public.

In the next year, libraries of all types will hold signing ceremonies, during which community members can visibly declare their right to have vibrant libraries in their community.  The signing ceremony is intended to serve as the launching point for continued and vibrant community engagement to:

•Increase public and media awareness about the critical role of libraries in communities around the country

•Inspire ongoing conversations about the role of the library in the community

•Cultivate a network of community allies and advocates for the library

•Position the library as a trusted convener to help in the response to community issues