The Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (EDI) has committed to meeting on the first Monday of every month. We are currently working on creating a discussion series centered on educational EDI content and drafting a grant to fund EDI-related professional development. If you have any suggestions or would like to be involved, please feel free to reach out to us at diversity@ndla.info.

New Members Committee

Join your fellow NDLA members for monthly Happy Lunches! These virtual “happy hours” will take place at noon on the 2nd Friday of each month, beginning in March. Co-hosted by the New Members Committee and other NDLA committees, sections, and Executive Board positions, these lunches will be a great way to learn about the work of the association and meet members from across the state. Drop in, stay as long as you like—all are welcome!

Next lunches are:

Tune in via https://bit.ly/nmc-happy-lunch-2023Zoom! Questions? Contact NMC chair Amanda Walch.

Intellectual Freedom Committee

The Intellectual Freedom Committee has been creating a collection of Intellectual Freedom Resources.

If you are facing a materials challenge, please fill out a Challenge Incident Report Form. Information about challenges is shared with the North Dakota State Library and ALA for tracking purposes, but will not be publicized without your permission. Reporting challenges helps us to spot trends and take action.

Help with managing challenges and other Intellectual Freedom issues is available. We can provide moral support and advice, and connect you with legal and mental health resources. Depending on where you're located, committee members may be able to visit in person to give presentations on Intellectual Freedom topics or to provide support at hearings. If you have questions, please contact the Intellectual Freedom Committee.

Legislative Committee

With the legislative session starting on January 3, 2023, NDLA’s Legislative Committee has been hard at work tracking legislation and providing updates to NDLA’s membership. On top of making sure that the State Library budget passes (SB2013), 3 major anti-library bills have been introduced: SB2123, SB2360, and HB1205. Two of the anti-library bills have even made national news.

There are also a small number of other bills, including SB2247, that the Legislative Committee is watching as they affect academic freedom, taxes, library friends’ groups and foundations, and the ability to serve immigrant populations. NDLA is currently coordinating with the American Library Association and other major national and regional organizations.

For updates from the Legislative Committee, please make sure you subscribed to the main NDLA listserv. Updates will also be posted on NDLA’s Facebook page.

The Legislative Committee appreciates the continuing effort NDLA membership has put into reaching out to their legislators, submitting testimony, and other takes to make sure North Dakota citizens are aware of library-related legislation.

The legislative session ends April 28, 2023. The next session starts in January 2025.