January 21, 2025, marks the ninth annual observance of the National Day of Racial Healing. This day is part of a larger movement for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT)—a political and cultural framework developed by Dr. Gail Christopher and the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. TRHT is embraced by more than 300 organizations in the academic, artistic, civic, and faith communities calling for the establishment of a US Commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation. Libraries and archives are in this movement to advance a more just and equitable society by bringing our expertise, our collections, and our relationships to advance truth for teaching and scholarship, remembrance, community building, and healing.
Today, the American Library Association (ALA), the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and the Society of American Archivists (SAA) call upon our collective memberships—comprised of several hundred thousand archivists, librarians, and other information professionals, and thousands of libraries and archives of all kinds—to observe the day with reflection and action.Through joint programming, education, and advocacy, our associations are committed to working together and developing leaders and organizations that promote racial equity. The National Day of Racial Healing is an opportunity for our members to take action locally. On Tuesday, January 21, ALA, ARL, and SAA call on our members to:
Devote time for a Healing Hour in your organizations and departments for discussion, education, and reflection using the resources here and here.
Share your organization’s learning in pursuit of racial justice and healing with your colleagues and users, on your websites, and in your communications.
Download and use the “Libraries & Archives Observe National Day of Racial Healing” image.
On social media, use the hashtag #LibrariesAndArchivesForRacialHealing along with #HowWeHeal.
Review SAA’s resources, ALA’s resources, and ARL’s resources to spark your thinking. Share with your colleagues and users in your displays or website, or on social media using the hashtags #LibrariesAndArchivesForRacialHealing and #HowWeHeal.
ALA is hosting a virtual discussion on January 21 at 3:00 p.m. CT. “Transforming Collective Communities with Mental Health Practices” will feature a panel of ALA division leaders discussing their perspectives and experiences on collective community healing toward racial equity and their roles in library spaces. Register here.
