The Pioneer Library System has signed on to the Urban Libraries Council’s Declaration of Democracy, committing to build policies and actions that preserve and protect democracy in our communities.
ULC’s Declaration of Democracy was unveiled to ULC members during the 2022 ULC Annual Forum held in Washington, DC this November. PLS was the 100th library to sign on, and the first in Oklahoma.
A library spokesperson said, “Public libraries are critical cornerstones of democracy, and democracy’s future is diminished when people’s access to power, information, a diversity of voices and the ability to influence policy are restricted.
“The battle to protect democracy is a global struggle playing out at the local level and libraries have landed on the front lines. Democracy can only thrive with strong community level support and engagement.”
ULC President and CEO Brooks Rainwater said, “We are proud to launch this vital initiative, and we celebrate the Pioneer Library System for joining us in our commitment to preserving democracy in our communities. Library leaders serve as civic educators and play an essential role in taking on censorship and ensuring free access to information for all. The public library has a responsibility to cultivate a democracy grounded in respectful, yet robust, public engagement.”
PLS actively encourages civic engagement and voting, with several locations serving as polling places in their communities, and routinely disperses email and social media messages encouraging citizens to register to vote and to engage in the voting process. More importantly, PLS libraries serve as information hubs, offering materials, technology, and other resources that enable customers to access information.
“Libraries are rooted in our commitment to the freedom of information,” said Kelly Sitzman, PLS director of Communications & Employee Development. “We do this by providing materials and access to resources to all and in a way that represents our diverse communities. Oklahomans have the right to access information on a variety of topics and viewpoints without restrictions, a fundamental act of participation in a democracy.
“We are proud to uphold these values and core principles alongside ULC and other libraries across our country.”
Founded in 1958, PLS today offers full-access libraries in 10 communities throughout Cleveland, McClain, and Pottawatomie counties, as well as additional access locations in smaller communities and outreach services including Business Services and the PLS Mobile Maker Lab.
For more information about PLS and its resources, visit pioneerlibrarysystem. org. ULC member libraries can sign on to the Declaration of Democracy at urbanlibraries.org.
