The international library community is rallying around its peers and colleagues in the United States as they endure challenging times that have seen the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under attack by President Trump and Dr. Carla Hayden fired as the Librarian of Congress.
The American Library Association (ALA) has received numerous messages from library associations and groups around the world in support of American libraries and ALA’s mission and in vehement opposition to the current Presidential administration’s actions. Here are a few:
“FAIFE members express our support for library and information workers in the United States and around the world whose ability to fulfill their responsibilities is being compromised, and who are living with fear and threats to their safety due to government actions.”
The European Bureau of Library, Information, and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA)
“In this time of increasing attacks and challenges to your mission, it is more important than ever to reaffirm the values that libraries represent: they are pillars of democracy in our societies. EBLIDA stands in solidarity with the ALA and fully supports its unwavering commitment to the power of critical thinking and to fostering inclusive, informed communities.”
Bulgarian Library and Information Association (BLIA)
“On behalf of the Executive Board of the Bulgarian Library and Information Association, we would like to express our solidarity and strong support for the American Library Association’s efforts to safeguard and restore IMLS.
“Bulgaria and the United States have a longstanding history of strong cultural and diplomatic ties, in which libraries have played a vital role. Bulgarian libraries have greatly benefited from the expertise and leadership of the American library community. The MARC format, developed and maintained by the Library of Congress, serves as the foundation for cataloging in major Bulgarian academic and public libraries. Furthermore, we have an active book exchange with leading American institutions, and we are grateful that the Library of Congress maintains a full deposit of Bulgarian print publications.
“We highly value the ‘American Corners’ initiative in Bulgarian libraries, which has been instrumental in promoting cultural dialogue and expanding access to knowledge and information related to the United States. IMLS is not only essential for the development of libraries and museums in the United States but also a vital pillar of international cooperation in the fields of culture, education, and democratic values. Its mission is even more crucial today, as access to reliable information and cultural heritage plays a key role in the sustainable development of civil society worldwide.
“We are confident that the library community in the United States will continue to be a global leader, and we wholeheartedly support your advocacy for the protection and strengthening of the IMLS.” –Dr. Kalina Ivanova, chair of the Bulgarian Library and Information Association Executive Board
“To all the library activists of ALA and the United States of America, We, the grassroots librarians and activists of the Free Libraries Network, India, wish to offer our solidarity as the American public library system suffers devastating attacks on its vital institutions.”
“The Norwegian Librarians’ Union wants an end to the indiscriminate dismantling of public administration and the threats to academia and free research. Public institutions, higher education, and research constitute a control mechanism in a democratic society. When decisions are made based on knowledge and professional assessments, society´s ability to meet challenges with insight and accountability is strengthened. What is happening in the USA now challenges democracy and the right to free access to information.”
Association of Austrian Librarians (VÖB) and the Austrian Library Association (BVÖ)
(On the firings of Dr. Hayden and Shira Perlmutter, Register of Copyrights)
“The Association of Austrian Librarians (VÖB) and the Austrian Library Association (BVÖ) are extremely critical of the current developments and strongly oppose these dismissals, which they consider unjustified.”
“Politically motivated influence on the Library of Congress undermines its independence and calls into question the mission and status not only of the Library of Congress, but of libraries as a whole. Libraries, with their services, stand for free and easy access to information for all people, regardless of age, gender, origin, or education. They thus assume central tasks that safeguard democracy. Our solidarity goes out to all our U.S. colleagues and professional associations.” –Eva Ramminger, president of the VÖB, and Marie Therese Stampfl, chair of the BVÖ
“The German library associations, namely Bibliothek and Information Deutschland e.V. – BID (Library and Information in Germany) and its member associations, the Berufsverband Information Bibliothek e.V. – BIB (Association of Information and Library Professionals), the Deutscher Bibliotheksverband e.V. – dbv (the German Library Association) and the VDB – Verein Deutscher Bibliothekarinnen und Bibliothekare e.V. (Association of German Librarians) strongly condemn the dismissal of Carla Hayden.
“This termination is a direct attack on the independence of the Library of Congress and the professionalism of library work. Libraries play a central role in ensuring free access to information and media and in enabling participation in social decision-making processes. They are therefore central institutions of functioning democracies. The attack on individuals and infrastructure in the library system is an attack on democracies themselves. Our solidarity and support goes out to US libraries and associations.” –Dr. Sabine Homilius, BID president
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