ALA Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL)

ALA Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) Find us at: http://tinyurl.com/ala-coswl
And on Twitter:
ALA Connect: http://connect.ala.org/node/64013

CHARGE:

To officially represent the diversity of women’s interest within ALA and to ensure that the Association considers the rights of the majority (women) in the library field. To promote and initiate the collection, analysis, dissemination, and coordination of information on the status of women in librarianship. To coordinate the activities of ALA units that consider questions having special relevance for women. To identify lags, gaps, and possible discrimination in resources and programs relating to women. To help develop evaluative tools, guidelines, and programs in cooperation with other ALA units designed to enhance the opportunities and the image of women in the library profession, thus raising the level of consciousness concerning women. To establish contacts with committees on women within other professional groups and to officially represent ALA concerns at interdisciplinary meetings on women’s equality. To provide Council and Membership with reports needed for the establishment of policies and actions related to the status of women in librarianship, and monitor ALA units to ensure consideration of the rights of women.

08/19/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Leab Award recipient for Excellence in Content Print Catalog Category: The Morgan Library & Museum in New York, New York, and DelMonico Books for "Belle da Costa Greene: A Librarian’s Legacy," edited by Erica Ciallela and Philip S. Palmer with contributions by Colin B. Bailey, Juliana Amorim Goskes, Araceli Bremauntz-Enriquez, Julia S. Charles-Linen, Rhonda Evans, Anne-Marie Eze, Daria Rose Foner, Jiemi Gao, Gail Levin, Deborah Parker, Deborah Willis, and Tamar Evangelestia-Dougherty. Learn more about this catalog on ACRL Insider - https://bit.ly/4gEJuTy

08/19/2026

📣 ACTION NEEDED! For over 60 years, the EEOC has collected workforce data known as EEO-1, which helps expose unfair employer practices & uncover discrimination. On July 23, the EEOC proposed rules that would eliminate collection of this critical data. Without the data, it will be harder to identify & address discriminatory practices.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! Submit a public comment opposing the removal of EEO-1 data collection. The deadline is Aug 24. Take action today: https://womenemployed.org/.../protect-data-for-working.../

08/19/2026
08/15/2026

A federal book banning bill under consideration in the Senate is dangerously broad, threatening critical funding for schools unless they comply with sweeping prohibitions. This type of censorship cannot become law.

Tell your Senators to oppose censorship and reject S4925: www.action.ala.org/campaign/S4925

07/26/2026

Many who attempt to challenge books, ban books, and “protect children” follow similar abusive communication and behavior patterns.

07/26/2026

Yes we can. Elect Equality at the mid-terms, Demand Congress pass the resolution to affirm the ERA in the first 100 Days. Equality for ALL OF US. That's what we want out of the next election. Tag a friend, spread the word.

We are all feeling it. Laws, local and federal, can be amended or repealed by a simple majority vote, gutted by executive order, defunded by a budget resolution or weakened by judicial interpretation.

The Equal Rights Amendment in the Constitution cannot. Sign the petition (link in comment), let's make it so. They work for us. Tag a friend, spread the word.

07/26/2026

For this installment of our book reviews from Booklist, we have Susan Maguire’s review of “Breaking Barriers: A Librarian’s Story of Changing Times” by former ALA Executive Director Robert Wedgeworth.

Read more at https://bit.ly/459hh0F

07/17/2026

NEW: A federal book banning bill has been introduced in the Senate. It's time to make our voices heard and protect the freedom to read.

Tell your Senators to REJECT pro-censorship legislation like S. 4925 that would limit people's freedom to read. We need every advocate to speak out against censorship: action.ala.org/campaign/S4925

07/16/2026

Meet Sarah Lamdan, executive director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom at the American Library Association.

07/16/2026

E-Rate marks its 30th year, and we should celebrate the federal program that has expanded information access for all Americans.

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Telephone

1.800.545.2433

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