Agenda Summary
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In recognition of the trend to curtail access to books and other resources.
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Official Text
Resolution in recognition of the alarming trend nation-wide to curtail access to books and other resources, and in the spirit of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 19), the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement, the Somerville City Council proposes the following resolutions:
WHEREAS: Residents of Somerville have a right to intellectual freedom, including the freedom to access and share information and ideas without interference; and
WHEREAS: City and school libraries have an obligation to facilitate these rights by acquiring, organizing, and making accessible a diverse collection of materials in accordance with their professional ethics and standards, and their collection development policies, without external limitations; and
WHEREAS: In order to fulfill this obligation, libraries must:
• Provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues, including materials that accurately portray the people of all genders and races, LGBTQ+ Americans, and other ethnic, cultural, religious, and socioeconomic status groups; and
• Resist censorship by not excluding materials because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation or because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval and by maintaining clear and current policies and procedures for the development and maintenance of their collections; and
• Adequately staff their facilities by professionally trained librarians; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED: That to support these rights and obligations, the Somerville City Council acknowledges its role to protect libraries against attempts to ban, remove, or otherwise restrict access to books and other materials.