ALA to join March for Science on April 22

Members encouraged to participate in Earth Day event

April 19, 2017

The American Library Association (ALA) is joining more than 170 organizations to defend the vital role science plays within evidence-based policy making. The Association encourages its more than 57,000 members to participate in the March for Science on April 22, an international, nonpartisan event co-organized by Earth Day Network and March for Science that supports ALA’s core values regarding access to information and its efforts to fight censorship.

“You can’t make good choices if you don’t have access to quality information,” said ALA President Julie B. Todaro. “Librarians and library workers work diligently to curate tangible information resources for our more than 1.4 billion visitors who rely on the expertise of our nation’s scientists and researchers to fuel good choices through access to diverse information and educational resources.

“Issues of global warming, space exploration, big data, and medical advancements continue to make headlines. Just as our nation’s library users deserve to be well informed, I’m certain that our local, state, and federal policymakers also need access to quality information to make good choices. Evidence-based policymaking cannot transpire without science education, research funding, and inclusive and accessible access to scientific data and findings.

“We welcome this opportunity to join other education experts as we work together to bring attention to the power of ideas and exploration.”

The national March for Science event will take place at 10 a.m. Eastern time on April 22 in Washington, D.C., with a teach-in and rally on the National Mall, followed by a march. More than 425 satellite marches also will take place throughout the day in all 50 states, 40 countries, and across six continents.

ALA members who are not able to participate in the march can show their support via social media by using the #MarchForScience hashtag, or by posting the Because Access Equals Opportunity statement included at the top of this post to your social media channels.

Additional information regarding March for Science activities is available through Earth Day Network and March for Science websites.

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