Blog Entries

Understanding Social (In)Justice Through the Power of Place

by Cathy Cooney

According to Oxford Languages, social justice is “justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.” By extension, social injustice describes the opposite – a lack of justice regarding the way those privileges and resources are distributed. A solid understanding of both of these principles contributes to improved equity, diversity, and inclusion. But if you’re like me, just reading the definition isn’t enough. I always benefit from more specific examples and more in-depth conversation around complex social topics like thi... Read Full Blog

Departing from the Canon

by Brianne Anderson

How many of you have heard a version of the phrase, “The world is a different place than it used to be”? I can hear my grandparents saying this to me as I was growing up and learning to drive and navigate adolescence. My parents have spoken thus numerous times while discussing my parenting choices as they babysit their grandchildren. And last week, I used a similar phrase to explain life before the internet to my own young children.

Change happens and the world evolves with it. Change can be good, but it also brings struggles to adapt and adjust. Our wo... Read Full Blog

Ames Public Library Grieves

Ames Public Library is committed to the City of Ames values shared by Mayor Haila in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. (www.cityofames.org/Home/Components/News/News/6079/2106).

Ames Public Library staff and Trustees grieve for the recent acts of violence in our nation, and our hearts go out to the victims' families and communities. To our friends in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, please know that we stand with you. We pledge to continue our work toward greater equity and inclusion in the Library and in our community.

... Read Full Blog

Message from the Director and Trustees on Racial Injustice

In response to the tragic killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the Ames Public Library and the Board of Trustees reaffirms that we stand against racism and social injustice.

Ames Public Library’s mission is to connect our community—all of our community—to the world of ideas. We are committed to creating that connection through diverse resources, programs, and opportunities that foster learning, self-reflection, and community dialog—be it thought-provoking book recommendations, conversations through our View from the Margins book club, workshops that foster community discussion,... Read Full Blog