I know I am just a lowly, dues paying member of ALA who is not actively involved in any committees etc., but I still think I have the right to wonder and question why ALA has not officially condemned Cuba for its actions against Librarians and its book burnings. I read the heated debates about ALA’s responsibility in condemning the War in Iraq and it makes me angry that my professional organization is spending much time and effort on a topic that has little to do with the freedom to read while ignoring or refusing to get in involved in what is happening in Cuba which is in fact directly related to the freedom to read.

Mr. Hentoff has written another commentary criticizing the leadership of ALA and reinforcing the importance of libraries in America. ALA deserves this criticism and I am going to continue to support the librarians of Cuba.

Sweet Land of Liberty by Nat Hentoff

Mindy