"The Engaged Librarian: Activism on the Library Issues of the Day" will be the topic of a program to be presented April 27 at Pennsylvania College of Technology.
The program, which is free and open to the public, will be presented by Ann Sparanese, head of adult and young adult services at Englewood Public Library, Englewood, N.J. It will be offered from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Mountain Laurel Room of the Thompson Professional Development Center on the main campus in Williamsport.
As an activist librarian of more than 15 years, Sparanese will discuss how activism has played a role in her service to the community, as well as in her engagement with national library issues.
The program will address whether library activism is part of the heritage, history and responsibility of librarians and library workers, and whether it conflicts with concepts of neutrality, intellectual freedom and professionalism.
Sparanese earned a master's of library science from Rutgers University. Her professional activities include the American Library Association Council, the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the ALA, the Progressive Librarians Guild and the AFL-CIO/ALA Joint Committee on Library Service to Labor Groups.
Although no registration is required, those planning to attend the event are asked toe-mail Georgia Laudenslager orcall (570) 320-2400, ext. 7828, by April 20.