The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) asserts its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values of the Association. This commitment is deeply embedded in the mission of libraries and archives, and in the work we do as an institutional-member organization called upon to provide leadership in key issues and practices that define our profession.
The harassment and intimidation that occurred during the recent American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting should be of grave concern to all in the profession and in the broader society. These events telegraph that we, as a society and a profession, are far from truly realizing the vision of racial equity that so many desire and that must be a core principle if we are to be a just and equitable society.
ARL affirms its responsibility for providing resources and educating leaders in libraries and archives about the systemic barriers to achieving racial equity. The Association recently adopted a code of conduct for our meetings and interactions, and we commit to bystander/ally training for the Board of Directors and staff to ensure that our meetings are welcoming, inclusive, and free of harassment or intimidation.
We will use this stark reminder of injustice as an opportunity for discussion and growth, so that we might strengthen our role in advancing equity and inclusion for all in our association and in our profession.
About the Association of Research Libraries
The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) is a nonprofit organization of 124 research libraries in Canada and the US whose mission is to advance research, learning, and scholarly communication. The Association fosters the open exchange of ideas and expertise, promotes equity and diversity, and pursues advocacy and public policy efforts that reflect the values of the library, scholarly, and higher education communities. ARL forges partnerships and catalyzes the collective efforts of research libraries to enable knowledge creation and to achieve enduring and barrier-free access to information. ARL is on the web at ARL.org.
