Library advisory board recommends dropping ALA membership, urges focus on literacy

The Library Advisory Board recommended that the Victoria Public Library cancel its institutional membership in the American Library Association and urged the council and the community to boost reading and literacy initiatives for children and adults in the city.

Board Chair Sarah Zeller told the council the board voted to recommend canceling the library’s memberships with the ALA and to “use alternative sources for trainings.” Jessica Burger, the library director, described the board’s work reviewing bylaws, policy updates and strategic priorities.

The board’s recommendation came after months of review and debate, Zeller said, and stemmed from concerns that the ALA “has truly veered away from the tradition of neutrality and librarianship,” including, in the board’s view, organizational positions on youth programming and access that they find…