While the Governance Committee typically determines when specific resolutions are needed, members are encouraged to submit ideas and recommendations for consideration. Resolutions may recognize outstanding service, celebrate achievements, memorialize colleagues, or highlight those who strengthen libraries, librarianship, and access to information throughout the state.

Help OLA recognize excellence, leadership, and advocacy by submitting a resolution for consideration. Although not required, members are encouraged to start a rough draft of their resolution. You can review previous resolutions to see how resolutions are written or formatted.

Submit your idea OR a draft to the Governance Committee at governance@oklibs.org at least two (2) weeks in advance of the Annual Membership Meeting on May 13. The resolution may receive additional edits or feedback before finalizing for presenting to the membership.

National Voter Registration Day is September 16 and the Oklahoma Library Association urges all libraries to participate!

Register as a partner before August 31.

OLA is calling all Oklahoma libraries to register as a National Voter Registration Day partner before August 31. Take a few minutes to make a big impact!

Get prepared with trusted resources.

Developed in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the OLA Advocacy Committee, this Voter Registration toolkit includes resources tailored to Oklahoma libraries to easily host Voter Registration activities. Registered partners also gain access to the National Voter Registration Day’s partner resources, including a social media toolkit, sample press releases, and more.

OLA works for all libraries! This year, our voter registration toolkit is available to all Oklahoma libraries, regardless of OLA membership. Join OLA’s efforts at oklibs.org. For more information how you can support library advocacy in Oklahoma, email advocacy@oklibs.org. 

Engage your community.

As trusted community spaces, libraries play a crucial role in civic engagement by supporting voter registration initiatives and providing nonpartisan environments where all community members feel welcome to learn about voting and candidates. Join the movement to ensure that every eligible citizen has the opportunity and trusted information needed to make their voice heard in the upcoming elections.

We ask that each library hosts a voter registration event in the month of September. This can be as simple as incorporating voter registration forms and information at existing events, or as creative as building a voter registration drive or hosting a candidate forum. However you decide to support, we want to hear about your efforts!

For more information about National Voter Registration Day among Oklahoma libraries, contact advocacy@oklibs.org.

Join our list of registered partners:

• Eastern Oklahoma Library System
• El Reno Public Library
• Elgin Public Library
• Elk City Public Library
• Metropolitan Library System
• Mustang Public Library
• Oklahoma Library Association
• Piedmont Public Library
• Pioneer Library System
• Pryor Public Library
• Sayre Public Library
• Southeastern Oklahoma Library System
• Southern Oklahoma Library System
• Southern Prairie Library System
• Tulsa City-County Library
• Western Plains Library System
• Yukon Public Library
  
  

I would like to invite all OLA members to participate with us in support of National Voter Registration Day.  As trusted community spaces, libraries play a crucial role in civic engagement by supporting voter registration initiatives. We’re calling all Oklahoma libraries to register as a National Voter Registration Day partner before August 31. Take a few minutes to make a big impact.

OLA just registered as an official partner, and we invite you to join the movement!

By simply registering as a partner, you are supporting voter awareness and participation with trusted tools and a united, nonpartisan national campaign behind you.

1. Register here. Our goal is for all Oklahoma libraries to become a partner in 2025.
2. Get prepared. Official partners gain access to rich toolkits from NVRD and OLA: poster templates, sample press releases, social media graphics, volunteer resources, and more.
3. Engage your community. We urge libraries of all types to host a voter registration event. Host voter registration tables, share trusted information, and rally residents to get #VoteReady.

Register before August 31 and receive more information leading up to National Voter Registration Day! We’re all in this together

Thank you, all.

Michael Hull, OLA President

• Jessica Armstrong - Shawnee High School
• Cara Bradt - Alva High School
• Andrea Davis - Woodward Public Library
• Jay Edwards - University of Oklahoma Libraries
• Jonathan Edwards - Southern Oklahoma Library System
• Tyler Franklin - Metropolitan Library System
• Melinda Gallagher - Owasso High School
• Natalie Garrison - Southern Oklahoma Library System
• Brent Greyson - Pioneer Library System
• Shannon Grice - Southeast Oklahoma Library
• Rebecca Harrison - Tulsa City County Library
• Jason Little - Tulsa City County Library
• Laura Lopez - Western Plains Library System
• Kenny Matthews - Eastern Oklahoma Library System
• Natasha Parker - Metropolitan Library System
• Rachel Reid - Eastern Oklahoma Library System
• Courtney Rutledge - Oklahoma Department of Libraries
• Brandi Schur - East Central University Libraries
• Ashley Smith - University of Oklahoma Libraries
• Kaylee Stanfield - Southeast Oklahoma Library System
• Jessica True - Pioneer Library System
• Marilyn Tullis - Tulsa City County Library
• Ashley Welke - Oklahoma Department of Libraries
• Sara WhiteShield - Western Plains Library System

This year's Leadership Institute will take place November 5-7 at St. Crispin's Camp and Conference Center in Wewoka, OK. The institute will focus on change management; hiring, developing and motivating staff; culture, respect and communication. For more information about the OLA Gold Leadership Institute, please email leadership@oklibs.org.

Voter Registration Day is coming up on September 17, and we encourage all libraries to participate! As trusted community spaces, libraries play a crucial role in civic engagement by supporting voter registration initiatives and providing nonpartisan environments where all community members feel welcome to learn about voting and candidates. We hope you’ll join us in this important effort to ensure that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to make their voice heard in the upcoming elections.

In partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, the OLA Advocacy Committee is excited to share their new 2024 Voter Registration Toolkit. This toolkit includes resources for Oklahoma libraries looking to engage their communities in advance of this year's election season. In the toolkit, you will find information about how to host your own Voter Registration Drive, as well as tips and best practices from experienced librarians.

If you have additional questions, don't hesitate to reach out to advocacy@oklibs.org

View the revised Constitution & Bylaws
This is a clean version of the document with all of the proposed changes.

View the previous version with changes tracked
This document shows all revisions made to the previous version of the Constitution & Bylaws, including comments that provide context for some of the changes.

Summary of Changes

Below is a summary of all changes made to the Constitution & Bylaws. Most of the changes are updates to reflect current practices of the Association, but there are also a few additions and alterations regarding implementation of new technology, record-keeping practices, and duties of officers.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to governance@oklibs.org with any questions!

1. Updates to Reflect Current Practices and Add Clarity

1. Added headings to articles and sections without headings.
2. Removed organizational memberships. (OLA no longer offers this membership class.)
3. Language referring to the “business meeting” or “general session” held at the Annual Conference has changed to “Annual Membership Meeting.” (OLA now holds this meeting separate from the conference.)
4. Bylaws and Amendments sections of the Constitution have been consolidated. (Their language was nearly identical.)
5. Added dissolution clause to comply with IRS non-profit expectations.
6. Added language regarding split payment of dues.
7. Added Division and Roundtable Officer election process.
8. Updated some Committee descriptions for clarity.
9. Removed Discussion Groups because those are no longer practiced.
10. Added American Association of School Librarians as an affiliate organization.
11. Removed Oklahoma Technology Association as a named affiliate.
12. Updated award information and added OKSL award descriptions
13. Incorporated language from OKSL bylaws into the Divisions section.
14. Division and Roundtable assets will be reflected on the Association’s balance sheet, to be monitored by each respective group.

Constitution: Article III. Membership; Article VII. Meetings; Article IX. Bylaws; Article X. Amendments; Article XI. Dissolution
Bylaws: Article II. Dues and Fees; Article III. Nominations and Elections; Article IV. Library Association Affiliates; Article VI. Divisions; Article VII. Roundtables; Article VIII. Committees; Article IX. Discussion Groups; Article X. Awards, Honors, and Citations

2. System Administrators and Archives

1. Added a System Administrators section to account for the use of new technologies. The Executive Board shall have the power to appoint new System Administrators as needed (e.g., Google Workspace Administrator).
2. The title of “Webmaster” has been changed to “Website Administrator” in an effort to use more socially conscious language.
3. Removed OLA Archivist position from the Executive Board since the archive is stewarded by OSU library staff.
4. Updated language regarding the physical OLA archive located at OSU, including how to access and add content to the archive.
5. Added Digital Archive section to address OLA’s use of Google Workspace.
6. OLA Website specified as the public archive for born-digital materials.

Constitution: Article V. Executive Board, Section 8. System Administrators
Bylaws: Article XI. Archives; Article XII. Publications

3. Updates to Duties of Officers

1. President-Elect will oversee onboarding for incoming OLA officers and DRoC chairs.
2. Secretary will serve on the Governance Committee and collect reports from other OLA officers and DRoC chairs to share at the Annual Membership Meeting.
3. Secretary will now serve a 2-year term instead of a 1-year term. The OLA Secretary will be elected in even-numbered years, opposite the Treasurer, who is elected in odd-numbered years.
4. Treasurer: Added clarifying language regarding coordination with Association Management Company.
5. ALA Councilor and MPLA Representative: Added language regarding travel to ALA and MPLA conferences.
6. President will serve as a non-voting member of all roundtables and divisions. (President is already a member of all Committees.)
7. Language regarding reports of Officers and DRoC Chairs updated to reflect the use of OLA’s digital archive (Google Workspace).

Constitution: Article IV. Officers, Section 1. Officer Roles and Terms
Bylaws: Article V. Duties of Officers; Article VI. Divisions; Article VII. Roundtables; Article VIII. Committees

OLA Officers

President-Elect:
Michael Hull
Executive Director
Southeast Oklahoma Library System

Secretary:
Molly Dettmann
Teacher Librarian
Norman North High School

ALA Councilor:
Leanne Cheek
Readers’ Services Coordinator
Pioneer Library System

MPLA Representative:
Tricia Andrews
Manager of Access
Metropolitan Library System

Divisions

Oklahoma School Librarians (OKSL)

Chair-Elect:
Melodie Pennington
Librarian
Hamilton Elementary, Tulsa Public Schools

Secretary:
Dr. Heidi W. Jenkins
Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership Department
Northeastern State University

Public Libraries Division (PLD)

Chair-Elect:
Kathy Atchley
Public Services Coordinator
Western Plains Library System

University & College Division (UCD)

Chair-Elect:
Courtney Oliphant
Instruction and Virtual Services Librarian
Keith Leftwich Memorial Library, Oklahoma City Community College

Secretary:
Simon Ringsmuth
Digital Services Librarian
Edmon Low Library, Oklahoma State University

Roundtables

Children & Teen Services Roundtable (CATS)

Chair-Elect:
Meghan Hollingsworth
Children’s Selector
Pioneer Library System

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, & Intellectual Freedom Roundtable (EDII)

Chair-Elect:
Jessica True
Information Services Manager
Moore Public Library, Pioneer Library System

Small Oklahoma Library Roundtable (SOLR)

Chair-Elect:
Bessi Black
Library Manager
Southeast Oklahoma Library System

Technical Services Roundtable (TSRT)

Chair-Elect:
Kirsten Bryson
Collection Services Manager
Metropolitan Library System

Secretary:
Jenny Bodenhamer
Assistant Professor, Digital Services Librarian
Oklahoma State University

• President-elect
• Secretary, 1-year term
• ALA Councilor, 3-year term
• MPLA Representative, 3-year term

Candidates who work for a school, tribal, or special library are preferred for President-elect, but nominees from other library types will also be considered. Candidates for Secretary, ALA Councilor, and MPLA Representative may work at any type of library. To view full details of each officer position, see Article V: Duties of Officers in the OLA Bylaws (page 7).

The deadline to submit nominations is November 3, 2023. Both self-nominations and nominations of others are welcome!

Submit nominations using this form

The Governance Committee will meet in December to finalize a slate of two candidates for each position. Candidates will need to submit a short bio statement and a headshot, and will be expected to participate in a virtual forum event (date to be determined).

Questions about officer positions and the OLA election may be sent to governance@oklibs.org. Thank you for making OLA a great organization!

What we've done so far:

• Google Workspace accounts have been created for all Executive Board members; Chairs of a Division, Roundtable, or Committee (DRoC); and a few specific subcommittees that require a unique email address.
• The OLA Workspace Transition Team is working with 2023-2024 OLA leadership to move legacy documents and files from disparate collaborative environments into the Google ecosystem.
• Virtual and in-person training sessions were held for OLA leadership, and continuing assistance is being provided as all the kinks are worked out.
• A basic collection of resources have been compiled for current and future OLA leaders to get support for the various products available through Google Workspace.

What we’re planning for the future:

• Help OLA leaders incorporate the new Google applications in their work for the organization, including Google Drive, Docs, Forms, Chat, and more.
• Establish workflows that allow OLA DRoC members to effectively collaborate and work toward our shared goals using these new tools.
• The OLA Google Workspace team will continue to add to the resource list so that future leadership transitions will be easier for everyone involved.
• And more!

What does this mean for you? Generally speaking, if you're not in OLA leadership, nothing will change for you immediately. You may receive an invite to work on a collaborative document from a Google account with OLA branding, such as president@oklibs.org, edii@oklibs.org, oksl@oklibs.org, etc. If you are on an OLA committee or project team, you may get permission to work in a shared folder on Google Drive or receive an invite to a Google Meet video call.

As OLA leadership becomes more comfortable with these new tools, additional Google products may become visible while conducting OLA business. If you are in OLA leadership, you may want advice or troubleshooting with these new tools. Any questions or concerns can be sent to ola_gw_admin@oklibs.org.

We are pleased with the progress of this large project and look forward to its development in the future.

Brent Greyson and Casey Lowry hosted a training session
on Google Workspace for OLA leaders the day of the Leadership Retreat on July 12

• President-elect
• Secretary (1-year term)
• Treasurer (2-year term)

Candidates who work for a school library are preferred for President-elect, but nominees from other library types will also be considered. Candidates for Secretary and Treasurer may work at any type of library. Both self-nominations and nominations of others are welcome!

The deadline to submit nominations is February 10, 2023. The committee will be meeting in late February to finalize a slate of two candidates for each position. Candidates will need to submit a short bio statement and a headshot, and will be expected to participate in an online town hall on March 22 at 10:00am.

Nominations (and questions) should be sent to governance@oklibs.org. Thank you for making OLA a great organization!

To view full details on each officer position see Article V: Duties of Officers in the OLA Bylaws (page 7).

The recipients each received a scholarship to attend the 2022 OLA Gold Leadership Institute. The OLA GOLD Leadership Committee works to inspire and develop future leaders for the Oklahoma library community.  The participants, who were selected through a competitive application process, participated in a variety of sessions focused on influence and emergent leadership, which will prepare them to exert influence regardless of positional authority.

More information about OKSL and OLA Gold are available at www.oklibs.org. More information about Rosen Publishing is available at www.rosenpublishing.com.

The Sequoyah Administration Committee is proud to announce the 2021-2022 winners of the Sequoyah Great Books Grant:

• Janet Dinwiddie, Maysville Public Library
• Melody Johnson, New Lima Public Schools
• Linda Bloomstadt, Lexington Correctional Facility

Their applications received the highest scores in terms of degree of need in their community, need in the library, and the overall statement of need. Each library will use these books to improve connections between literature and their communities.

From Janet Dinwiddie, in applying for this grant and receiving new young adult literature: “This would have a great impact on the library's relationship with young adults, keeping them coming in for good books, and helping to keep us relevant in the community.”

From Melody Johnson: “Receiving the Sequoyah Great books would greatly increase my ability as librarian to continue the high standards we hold here at New Lima as well as help to meet the needs of my community.”

From Linda Bloomstadt: “Many inmates will be returning to their home communities and families. By having books that are common to libraries in our schools, communities, and this prison, fathers and their children can read and discuss the same books.”

In reflecting on the grant’s second year, Kirsten Walker, the 21-22 Sequoyah Administration Chair, said, “The Sequoyah Great Books grant is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the Oklahoma Library community. By connecting libraries in need with resources to expand and improve their library collections, Molly Dettmann and Adrienne Butler have created an incredible opportunity for OLA to connect to libraries around the state. This year, we tripled the number of applicants and we had a hard time choosing winners!”

For the 2022-2023 grant cycle, applications will open in the fall, with winners selected early next year. Please email sequoyah@oklibs.org for further information.

OLA Graduate Scholarships of $750 are available for OLA members who have completed at least 6 credit hours towards a graduate degree or certification in Library Science or a related field and have at least 1 semester remaining. The Tulsa Area Library Consortium Scholarship of $750 is also available for those graduate students from the Tulsa area that also meet the requirements of the OLA Graduate Scholarships. More information and the online application for this scholarship can be found at https://www.oklibs.org/page/OLA_Grad_Scholarships.

The Connie Van Fleet Scholarship of $900 is available for graduate students currently working in an Oklahoma library while also obtaining a graduate degree leading to librarianship as a profession. More information and the online application for this scholarship can be found at https://www.oklibs.org/page/VanFleet_Scholarship.

The Kay Boies Conference Experience Scholarship is also available for any OLA member interested in receiving financial assistance to attend the OLA Annual Conference, who has not attended previously. This scholarship includes the registration cost of the OLA Annual Conference, a conference banquet ticket, a scholarship basket ticket, registration for one pre-conference session, and up to two nights of lodging for the conference hotel. More information and the online application for this scholarship can be found at https://www.oklibs.org/page/Boies_Scholarship.

Have questions about OLA Scholarships? The OLA Awards and Scholarships Committee will be hosting a Scholarship Virtual Town Hall on Friday, December 3rd from 11am - 12pm. The Town Hall will provide information about our scholarships, tips on best practices for your application, and a Q&A with past scholarship winners. To register for this free webinar, sign up here: https://www.oklibs.org/page/scholarships_townhall_2021. For those that cannot attend live, the event will also be recorded and made available on the OLA YouTube page.

If you have any questions about OLA Scholarships, please contact the OLA Awards and Scholarships Committee at awards@oklibs.org.

The award nomination process is simple. Just need to fill out an online form for each nomination. More information about individual OLA Awards and the nomination forms for each can be found on the individual award pages: 

• Citizen's Recognition Award

• Distinguished Service Award

• Library Excellence Award

• Library Legend Award

• Oklahoma Library Service Award

• Outstanding New Librarian Award

• Special Meritorious Service Award

• Special Project Award

• Support Staff Award

• Robert Motter Vendor Appreciation Award

Help us celebrate our deserving colleagues and nominate someone today for an OLA Award!

If you have any questions about OLA Awards, please contact the OLA Awards and Scholarships Committee at awards@oklibs.org.

The deadline to submit nominations is December 31, 2021. The committee will be meeting in early January to finalize a slate of two candidates for each position. Candidates will need to submit a short bio statement and a headshot, and will be expected to participate in an online town hall in late January, date TBD.

Nominations (and questions) should be sent to governance@oklibs.org. Thank you for making OLA a great organization!

To view full details on each officer position, see Article V: Duties of Officers in the OLA Bylaws (page 7).

Crafters, please share your creations! Send pictures of your WIPs (works in progress) to edii@oklibs.org and we’ll share them on OLA’s social media. Listening to an audiobook while you work? Send us the title and we’ll include it in the post!

Participants can drop off blanket donations between 11/01/2021 and 2/14/2022 at the following locations:

• Southwest Oklahoma City Library (2201 SW 134th St, OKC)
• Champion Public Library (601 Railway Express, Ardmore)
• Any branch of the Tulsa City-County Library (attn: Leah Weyand)
• Patience S. Latting Northwest Library (5600 NW 122nd St, OKC)

During the University & College Division’s 2021 workshop, a presenter guided an interactive session on creating an open educational resource (OER) about the history of Oklahoma libraries. Some attendees expressed interest in actualizing this project beyond learning how to create OER, so we formed a sub-committee for UCD. However, we quickly realized the scope needed broadening to include OLA members from all kinds of libraries! Then, in June 2021, the OLA Executive Board approved the creation of an ad hoc committee on the History of OK Libraries.

The 2021-2022 members are as follows:

Shay Beezley, University of Central Oklahoma (Convener)
Alyson Blankenship, Southern Oklahoma Library System
Allison Boyer, Lifeshare of Oklahoma
Phillip Fitzsimmons, SWOSU
Karen Haught, College of The Muscogee Nation
Casey Lowry, East Central University
Linda Pye, Retired (SWOSU)
Elaine Regier, OSU-OKC
Angela Robertson, Pioneer Library System - Moore Public Library
Michelle Skinner, Chickasha Public Library
Saidah Yakasai, Metropolitan Library System
Bill Young, Oklahoma Department of Libraries

The committee is hard at work developing an action plan for Year 1 of this project. Some of the work we’d like to do include:

• Researching the feasibility of making the Oklahoma Librarian archive searchable
• Gathering all information resources relating to Oklahoma libraries
• Finding fun facts to share with you on OLA’s social media channels

Stay tuned for more updates throughout the year!

Comics and graphic novels afford us a noteworthy opportunity to talk about issues of identity and representation. In this session, we will address both the misrepresentation found in comics through exploitation, tropes, and stereotyping, and the exceptional capacity for diversity to be found in comics creators and in their creations. We will discuss Dwayne McDuffie and his concept of “The Sudden Possibility of Flight,” and how that idea resonates in the current push toward more inclusion of traditionally underrepresented persons on the comics page. Finally, we will examine the role of libraries as it relates to inclusion in comics, and what kinds of real-world actions librarians can take. Register here: https://www.oklibs.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1548027

Our Lunch and Learn speaker on this topic is Stewart Brower (he, him, “Stew”). He directs the Schusterman Library at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa campus, is a professor in the Department of Health Sciences Library and Information Management for the OU Health Sciences Graduate College, and is an adjunct instructor with the OU School of Library and Information Studies.

Submissions will be accepted from September 1-20. Winners will be chosen and pictures will be shared on OLA social media throughout Banned Books Week, September 26-October 2.

In addition to regular program sessions, 15-minute Idea Lab presentations will be offered in the conference venue. These shorter sessions are ideal for sharing programming ideas, presenting practical “how-to” tips, and engaging participants in short topics.

Find the submission form here: https://www.oklibs.org/page/OLA2022_ProgramForm

Please contact conference@oklibs.org for any questions or further info.

Date: June 4th, 2021

Time: 1:50pm-3:15pm

• Employers must log-in at 1:30pm

Virtual Platform: Zoom

• The link will be shared with participants.

Each library will have a designated Zoom room, which you can personalize with your branded virtual background/logos, giving you the ability to connect one-on-one with job seekers regarding your available positions, future positions, and your hiring process. You also have the ability to move into an additional breakout room to hold “on-site” interviews. If you plan to actively hold interviews during this time, you must provide an additional staff member to remain in your initial Zoom room.

To participate or for more information, please contact Cherity Pennington at cpennington@shawnee.k12.ok.us

The Sequoyah Administration Committee is proud to announce the first ever winners of the Sequoyah Great Books Grant, Teresia Harrison from Chandler-Watts Memorial Library and Deborah Core from Caney Valley Schools. Both applications received the highest scores on their applications in terms of degree of need in their community, need in the library, and the overall statement of need.

From Deborah Core in applying for this grant, “This would make my students feel as if they were meeting the same level as many nearby schools who receive library funding and are up to date on their books in their library.”

Teresia Harrison said “Chandler-Watts Memorial Library is honored to be a recipient of the first Sequoyah Book Grant. This grant allows us to enhance our collection with a selection of current, diverse reading material we would not otherwise be able to provide our young adults.”

Because of the success in facilitating this grant and the number of applications received, the Sequoyah Administration Committee is excited to announce that the Sequoyah Great Books Grant will continue and expand to award more winners during the 2021-2022 grant cycle. Applications will open in the fall with winners decided on early next year. Please email sequoyah@oklibs.org for further information.

One of my priorities during my presidential year was to redesign the association’s website. This decision was made based on a variety of comments from members who were frustrated with the usability of our previous website and how it didn’t really tell visitors, the public or potential members, who we were and the impact libraries and library professionals have on our communities and the state of Oklahoma. Lisa Wells, then President-Elect, chaired the Website Redesign Ad Hoc Committee charged with the task of accomplishing this all important task. The original committee members included: myself as President; Charles Brooks, OLA Webmaster; Casey Lowry, Marketing Committee Chair; Alyson Hayes, Communication Committee Chair; Britt Muirhead, Member at Large; Kameran Huggins, Member at Large; and Kaitlyn Palone, Membership Committee Chair.

Redesigning a website is no easy task and has taken countless hours of meetings, planning, seeking input, designing, redesigning, revising, etc. Then throw in a pandemic and you have a project that is more than a couple of years in the making. Fortunately for us, we decided to stay with our current provider, YourMembership, so the transition has been a little less arduous then it could have been. The committee has been steadfast in our goal of having a website that is both user friendly and informative for our members and the greater community. We are excited to share our new website.

As we marked the recent anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, we remember our state’s history of racism and violence and reflect on the continuing effects of oppression. It is with deep sorrow that we remember those who have suffered or lost their lives due to bigotry and abuses of power. We recognize also that we must acknowledge our own biases and the impact of our words and actions. It is only through confronting our discomfort and holding ourselves accountable that we can begin to create meaningful change.

OLA urges its members to actively oppose systemic social injustices against Black people and people of color. We encourage libraries and library staff to promote equity in our state—with diverse programming and collections, inclusive hiring and workplace practices, and using our voices as leaders in our communities. OLA recently voted to create the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Intellectual Freedom Round Table which will support these efforts now and continually. We call on library and information services leaders, staff, and advocates to abolish racism in all its forms and stand together to support those who need it the most.