Gun Violence and Libraries: Home
Resources for libraries on addressing policies, education, and training on gun violence.
Overview
In their Resolution on Gun Violence Affecting Libraries, Library Workers, and Library Patrons, adopted in January 2017, the ALA Council sought to encourage libraries to collaborate with appropriate local agencies to provide training and education of library workers related to the presence of guns in the workplace. The resolution also encourages libraries to support community discussions around guns in society and urged research by national agencies on the causes and effects of gun violence, as well as mitigation of firearms injuries and deaths.
This resource guide provides resources on existing national gun laws and legal cases, on training and education programs for library workers, on policy development, and for engaging the library community in the discussion.
Contents of this Guide
- Safety and Security for the Library PublicSuggestions for policy development and measures to implement to ensure safety in libraries.
- Engaging the CommunityLibraries may wish to support a community forum on adjusting to new gun legislation or responding to violence in the community. ALA has resources for engaging the public in those discussions.
- Statistics and Research on Gun ViolenceSelected resources for researching issues related to gun violence, offered as a starting place for local research.
- What's the Law?Links to Federal legislation and guides to state laws.
ALA Policies and Statements
- Resolution on Gun Violence Affecting Libraries, Library Workers, and Library Patrons (2017)Resolution adopted by the ALA Council on January 24, 2017. (PDF)
- Resolution Calling Upon Libraries to Build More Inclusive CommunitiesAdopted by the ALA Council, June 26, 2016. (PDF)
- Resolution on Gun ViolenceAdopted by the ALA Council, June 30, 2015. (PDF)
ALA Resources
- Aftermath: How YA Novels Deal With ShootingsWhat books might be useful for helping teens deal with violent occurences.
- Comforting Reads for Difficult TimesThis booklist was created to help children going through challenging situations like the death of a loved one, an unexpected move, natural disasters and more.This list was compiled by ALSC's Quicklists Consulting Committee and includes links to other resources for adults to support children.
- Firearms and CampusesLooks at the reactions and mentality shifts of communities with open/concealed carry laws, in particular the college campus.
- Libraries and Violent MediaDiscussion points for an intellectual freedom framework for talking about violent media.
- Taking Aim at the Reality of Guns in LibrariesFeature article by Beverly Goldberg, Jan. 14, 2014.