New York Library Association Resolution on the

Declaration for the Right to Libraries

WHEREAS, American Library Association President, New York Library Association member and Assistant Professor of Practice at the Syracuse University iSchool Dr. Barbara Kay Stripling’s presidential initiative, Libraries Change Lives, is designed to focus on increasing public understanding through the American’s Right to Libraries campaign; and

WHEREAS, The Declaration for the Right to Libraries is a strong public statement of the value of libraries for our students, our communities, our state and our nation; and

WHEREAS, The Council of the American Library Association unanimously endorsed the Declaration for the Right to Libraries by resolution on July 2, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Libraries are essential to a democratic society; and

WHEREAS, The New York Library Association, in 1992, initiated the Libraries Change Lives campaign, and

WHEREAS, The time is now to build the public’s understanding of the roles and contributions of all types of libraries; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Council of the New York Library Association endorses the Declaration for the Right to Libraries; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the New York Library Association encourages all librarians to apprise all New Yorkers, from students to senior citizens, of the Declaration for the Right to Libraries and provide them with the opportunity to proclaim their rights by signing this Declaration; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Council of the New York Library Association invites American Library Association President Dr. Barbara Kay Stripling to receive copies of the signature pages collected across the state before the National Literacy Summit to be held in Washington, DC before National Library Legislative Day, May 2014.

Respectfully, Carol Anne Germain, NYLA President

Submitted by ALA Delegate Rocco Staino and President-Elect Sara Kelly Johns
Endorsed by the New York Library Association Council, August 8, 2013

Get Involved

The American Library Association has a complete set of resources, including printable versions of the Declaration.

Declaration for the Right to Libraries ALA Homepage

Need Signing Sheets?

Here is a blank Signing Sheet (11"X17") (PDF)