LISNews: Librarian News

Walter Skold writes "The head of the Independent Libraries in Cuba has just made an emergency appeal to the International Relations Committee, under ALA's policy 58.3. Prisoners have been released this year because of international pressure and letters sent, but the situation is still critical in Cuba. For those who are members of the ALA this is an appeal to our elected leaders, please let them know how you feel. For others, your letters and solidarity will make a difference too. (See http://freadom.info/sending_letters_wher.html) -- Read More

Fang-Face writes "A group of American librarians has launched a website in defense of the freedom to read, including showing solidarity with the jailed independent librarians in Cuba. You can find
the story at Friends of Cuban Libraries. This group's web site can be found at Freadom.info. And yes, that spelling is correct. It is a combination of the words "freedom" and "read" to reflect the main purpose of the project. FREADOM is not affiliated with Friends of Cuban Libraries."

Fang-Face writes "For those who are following the story of the Cuban oppression of independent librarians, Reporters Without Borders called on Europe to remember Cuban repression on the 1st anniversary of the crackdown. There's no new real information, except that RSF is agitating for European citizens and governments to get more involved. RSF is involved because the crackdown was on journalists as much as librarians. The page also has a link to a declaration (in PDF) opposing the oppression."

InfoWhale writes "Nat Hentoff, one of America's leading fighters for intellectual freedom, has written six columns - 2 syndicated and four for the Village Voice - about ALA's refusal to join the rest of the world in demanding the release of imprisoned librarians. This finale asks the question - "What does Mr. Hentoff know of the real Cuba?" I know that if I were a Cuban, I would be in prison."
read it in the Village Voice