USBBY supports the ALA resolution on library service for children in detention at migrant detention centers

The American Library Association (ALA) recently passed the “Resolution on Library Service for Children in Detention at Migrant Detention Centers.” The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) supports this resolution. We agree with ALA in denouncing 

• “the existence of family and youth detention centers;”
• ​“the ongoing deplorable conditions in family and youth detention centers;” and
• “the removal of educational and recreational programming, such as storytimes, from youth detention centers and calls for the reestablishment of these programs.”

The American Library Association

• ​“Urges libraries with detention centers in or near their service areas to reach out to and work with local authorities, schools, and governmental support agencies;” 
• “Strongly encourages libraries to perform outreach and provide access to materials for both education and entertainment in a variety of formats and media in as many languages as possible as appropriate for the populations being served;” and 
• “Strongly encourages libraries and library workers to provide services to migrant families and reexamine their policies to resolve any barriers to access presented to the access to services.”

We encourage our members to support libraries and librarians as they strive to serve the migrant children in detention centers, and to

• Contact their senators and representatives asking them to work towards finding compassionate and rational solutions for helping the detained children.
• Donate to the IBBY Children in Crisis fund to help address this crisis within the borders of our own nation.
• Encourage other like-minded people to join in protesting this atrocity—the inhumane treatment of children on American soil.