2019

LITA’s Statement in Response to Incidents at ALA Midwinter 2019

lita: empowering libraries through technology

The Library and Information Technology Association (LITA) Board of Directors is aware that there were several reports on social media from attendees who encountered aggressive behavior, racism, and harassment at the 2019 ALA Midwinter Meeting, which violated our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that there were multiple incident reports filed, including one formal complaint regarding the violation of the Code of Conduct as well. We thank those who were able to share their experiences and draw attention to the systemic issues that our society and profession face. As an association with an unwavering commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, LITA believes that clear action is necessary and seeks partnerships within ALA and beyond to address these issues of systematic oppression. It is our belief that safety, both physical and psychological, is a requirement for the full engagement of participants. LITA is committed to ensuring, through…