Rallying Behind Libraries: The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County’s In Support of Libraries Project

Libraries have been dealing with a lot in recent years, thanks to the rise in censorship and book bans, as well as the gutting of vital funding. Communities love their libraries, but in this increasingly hostile environment where a small but loud minority is drowning out everyone else, library workers can feel disheartened by current events. However, a recent letter-writing campaign by the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County has given some libraries a much-needed boost in morale.

What Is the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County?

Founded in the 1950s, the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County is a community based on the concept of the Ethical Culture Movement. They believe that acting for the good of others is more important than any creed or ritual practice. The society meets weekly for ethical enrichment and discussions.

Their goal is to help build a better culture where people act to elicit the best in one another. During their gatherings, they frequently plan social action projects to help those in need. They have a long history of advocacy to promote social change, including projects designed to pursue fair housing and desegregation.

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The Birth of the In Support of Libraries Project

One of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County’s recent social action projects was In Support of Libraries. They noticed the massive increase in book bans in recent years and recognized the enormous pressure on libraries to restrict access to certain books. They wanted to do something positive to help librarians during these trying times.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, members of the society gathered to show their support for libraries and the free exchange of ideas by creating care packages filled with handmade bookmarks and personal notes of encouragement. They sent these packages to libraries that had been hit particularly hard by attempts at censorship to show them that people and communities still love libraries and all that they do.

This project was inspired by the advocacy work of EveryLibrary. Curt Collier, leader of the Bergen Society, reached out to the team at EveryLibrary via email to thank them for their tireless efforts to fight for libraries. Collier says that EveryLibrary’s outreach strategies “[shine] a light on the very real human toll these attacks on libraries are taking — and [give] communities like ours a way to offer meaningful support.”

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Libraries Respond with Heartfelt Thank-Yous

Included in each of the society’s care packages was a stamped, self-addressed envelope with an invitation for the libraries to write back. A response was not required, and with the difficulties many libraries are facing, it would have been understandable for no one to write back. But many libraries did reply, sending back deeply moving personal notes, photos, and letters in gratitude for the society’s support.

Several libraries sent back thank-you letters with individual messages from staff members who greatly appreciated receiving the care packages. The staff at Flomaton Public Library in Alabama sent a handwritten letter expressing both their gratitude and surprise at receiving the care package. They even sent photos of their staff in the sudden snowfall that had occurred when they received the letter as a way to share a part of their world with the society.

The care package was especially timely for the Mason City Public Library in Iowa. A trustee from the library sent an email thanking the society for a note that was passed around during a board meeting. At that meeting, they were set to discuss a book ban request for two books on the library’s shelves. Thanks to both the support from their local community and the Bergen Society’s note of encouragement, they kept those books in circulation.

One of the most moving responses came from the Clinton Public Library (CPL) in Tennessee. The library has faced virulent calls for banning books featuring LGBTQ+ topics and characters. Book banners have demanded the library director’s resignation and threatened to have her arrested simply for maintaining the public’s access to books that have been available for years without any problem.

In a handwritten letter, library director Miria Webb expressed her sincere thanks for the society’s care package filled with kind words of support. She said that messages like that were what kept her going during the past few years as her library and libraries across the country have been inundated with attacks from pro-censorship groups.

Webb said that facing all these challenges has been difficult and dispiriting, but hearing from people who love libraries has offered glimmers of hope in these dark times. She thanked the society for reminding her and other librarians that they are not alone and there are still people out there who support their local libraries.

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How You Can Support Your Library

The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County’s project has done a lot to show libraries they still have the public’s support despite the vehement shouts from a small percentage of the population who want to restrict the freedom to read. Their letter-writing campaign was clearly a success, giving libraries around the country some much-needed encouragement.

But support campaigns like this one can be initiated by anyone. Libraries everywhere could use an open show of appreciation for the hard work they do every day. If you want to show your support, write your own letters to your library or start a project to create care packages with positive messages from your friends, family, and other members of your local community.

There are lots of other ways to show your support for libraries. You can engage with and share your local library’s social media posts. You can also sign EveryLibrary petitions or reach out to your representatives to encourage them to vote in favor of library budgets. Show your love for libraries in whatever way you can, no matter how big or small. Librarians could really use the support right now, more than ever.

Visit www.everylibrary.org to learn more about our work on behalf of libraries. 

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