Coastal Alabama Libraries Blog

Monday, April 23, 2018

A New Day!

The poem Coach Bryant carried in his pocket.

April 26th is Poem in Your Pocket Day

The idea is simple: select a poem you love and carry it with you to share with co-workers and friends throughout the day. Here are some great ways to celebrate Poem in Your Pocket Day.

Buy a book of poetry
Find a poem in the library
Write a poem of your own
Text a short poem to a friend
Add a poem to your e-mail footer
Call someone and read them a poem
Read a few poems by a little known poet
Listen to a recitation of your favorite poem
Make copies of a poem to distribute to friends
Include a poem with your next handwritten letter

Friday, April 20, 2018

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.