ARLIS/NA Advocacy: Endorsement of ALA Statement on COVID-19

The ARLIS/NA Executive Board endorses the American Library Association (ALA) statement on COVID-19 and supports the urgent recommendation to close library facilities immediately. Following this reasoning, archives, museums, and arts organization should also cease in-person operations to ensure the safety and well-being of their staff and constituents.

As many art information positions are contract-based, part-time, or otherwise contingent, ARLIS/NA emphasizes the ALA's recommendation "to ensure that all library workers receive fully paid leave, including health coverage, while libraries are closed."

Given the unique context of libraries, archives, museums, and organizations that serve the arts, ARLIS/NA encourages creative approaches to promoting and creating open access resources while recognizing the importance of physical collections and material practice for the communities we serve.