From the American Library Association homepage: http://www.ala.org/ala/iro/awardsactivities/resolutionlibrariesiraq.htm

At the 2003 annual American Library Association conference in Toronto, the American Library Association passes a resolution about their unhappiness that US led forces in Iraq have been the cause of increased violence and destruction in "the cradle of Western civilization." Specifically the resolution pertains to the fact that the National Library and Archives in Baghad, the Al-Awqaf library, and the National Museum of Iraq, among other libraries across the country, were caught up in the destruction, causing the looting, vandalism, and destruction of many irreplaceable pieces of human history. Included among these were some of the earliest known writings and other priceless items.

The American Library Association was particularly upset as US Forces had previously been warned by scholars that these extremely valuable (both monetary-wise and history-wise), important, and irreplaceable items existed and should be protected. The forces failed to protect, secure, or guard the cultural centers in which these items were stored thus leading to the damage which was done.

The resolution further states that the American Library Association feels that libraries are key cultural centers and must be part of the reconstruction. Furthermore, people who actually know and understand libraries must lead this part of the reconstruction, as well as working with international forces to prevent further loss of our shared civilization's history.

The American Library Association planned on sending this resolution to Congress, President Bush, and key members of his cabinet.

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