#NoSanctuaryforBlackFutures
On the birthday of Travyon Martin, a 13-year-old girl, was arrested at the Carver Branch, Austin Public Library on rumors of a schoolyard disagreement. Austin Public Library (APL)’s code of conduct policy, engagement with youth and the parameters of youth services fail our cities’ most vulnerable youth!
We stand with our L4 organizations in Austin, Black Sovereign Nation and Counter Balance: ATX in demanding that APL’s responsibility to protect the youth, as young as ten years old, who participate in its programs from interaction and engagement with Austin Police Department and are determined to see justice!
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#NoSanctuaryforBlackFutures Banner Drop!
On 5:00 p.m. on February 6, 2018, youth activists, their friends, guardians, and community held a press conference to address the disturbing arrest of LaTaisha following a banner drop (shown to the left) facilitated by their adult counterparts at The Austin Central Library.
Wednesday, youth activists from Black Sovereign Nation’s community school, Kuwa Kubwa, shared their demands for the Austin Public Library’s Department Director, Roosevelt Weeks, and Austin’s city manager, Spencer Cronk as it relates to APL’s policy on collaboration with APD, youth engagement, and utilization of city funds allocated to youth services.
Resources:
Austin Office of Equity SWOT Analysis of APL
http://austinlibrary.com/downloads/apl_strategic_plan.pdf (Diversity Plan 10-12)
Libraries on the Frontlines: Neutrality and Social Justice
Cultural Competency in Youth Librarianship
The Future of Library Services for and with Teens: A Call to Action
What People Want from Their Libraries
The Need for Teen Spaces in the Library YALSA
Providing Excellent Service to Teens
Young Adult Architecture (Austin Central Library is cited)