Resolution
Whereas, the League of Women Voters believes that the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, including the First Amendment, must be safeguarded for all[1]; and
Whereas, there has been an increase in attempts across the nation to ban selected books from libraries based on their political or social content and most commonly targeting stories about marginalized groups and the topics of racial justice, racism or LGBT+ rights and identities[2].
Therefore, be it resolved that the League of Women Voters of Belmont supports the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights[3]and will stand with libraries to safeguard those rights.
The Statement Resolution on the 1st Amendments and Book Bans Library Bill of Rights (adopted 1967) by State league.
Approved by the Board of the League of Women Voters of Belmont October 10, 2023.
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[1] Impact on Issues 2022-24, page 55; “The League of Women Voters of the United States believes in the individual liberties guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States. The League is convinced that individual rights now protected by the Constitution should not be weakened or abridged".
https://www.lwv.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/LWV_ImpactOnIssues2022-2024.pdf
[2] Censorship by the Numbers https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/by-the-numbers
[3] ALA Library Bill of Rights
The Board discussed a Statement Resolution adopted by the LWV Marblehead on First Amendment and Book Bans. It was put to a vote whether the Belmont League should support and write a resolution for our league.
Diane Palmer moved, and it was seconded on the Statement/Resolution on the First Amendment and Book Bans, Library Bill of Rights (adopted 1967) by State League.
Read the ALA Library Bill of Rights
