Social Responsibilities Round Table seeks applications for 2020 Herb Biblo Travel Grants

CHICAGO – The Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association (SRRT) is pleased to announce the second annual Herb Biblo Conference Travel Grants to help finance up to two SRRT members’ attendance at the ALA Annual Conference. The $1000 award covers limited fees related to airfare, lodging, and conference registration.

SRRT members and leaders play a critical role in the efficacy of the round table – the ability to successfully carry out the mission of the task forces, to engage new members, and to run meetings at ALA Annual and Midwinter Meetings. As a round table dedicated to social responsibilities, SRRT aims to lead by example. Supporting the attendance of those SRRT members and leaders who cannot afford to attend conference speaks to SRRT’s commitment to being all-inclusive, as well as their commitment to the work of the SRRT task forces. In addition, SRRT hopes to recruit members who would like to be involved but may otherwise not participate due to financial reasons. For these reasons, SRRT is launching a three-year pilot of the travel grant award. 

The selection of grant recipients will rest with the SRRT Conference Travel Grants Ad Hoc Selection Committee. The 2020 Ad Hoc Selection Committee is comprised of Charles Kratz (Chair), Marna Clowney-Robinson, Mark Hudson, and April Sheppard. 

The deadline to apply is December 15, 2019. All applicants will be notified of the Ad Hoc Selection Committee’s decision by January 15, 2020. Applicants must be ALA/SRRT personal members. Learn more and submit an application.

Award recipients will be announced publicly in the spring.

The ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) is a unit within the American Library Association. It works to make ALA more democratic and to establish progressive priorities not only for the association, but also for the entire profession. Concern for human and economic rights was an important element in the founding of SRRT and remains an urgent concern today. SRRT believes that libraries and librarians must recognize and help solve social problems and inequities to carry out their mandate to work for the common good and bolster democracy. 

Nobody had a stronger sense of justice than Herb Biblo. He was a stalwart member of SRRT beginning soon after its formation, and he played a strong role in influencing SRRT policies and activities. Herb brought his activism to the ALA Council, serving as a councilor for 24 years, beginning in 1977 with some gaps until 2002, including as ALA Treasurer from 1980 to 1984. He was also very active in his local library association, the Nassau County Library Association, and in the New York Library Association, winning distinguished awards in both organizations. Herb touched the lives of many through his encouragement and mentoring. The Herb Biblo Travel Grants carries on his work by giving a chance to new librarians to participate in SRRT activities.