[Publib] Darien Re-write

[Backwage at aol.com]

It is tough to capture the tone of  the original writers, and a lot has to 
be added here by them to fill in  holes.  Here's a suggested alteration.  
Shorn but recognizable.   M. McGrorty 
------------------------   
The Darien  Statements on the Library and  Librarians 
We the undersigned hereby record this  statement of our beliefs as 
professional librarians: 
The Purpose of the  Library 
We believe that the role and purpose of  the Library is the preservation of 
the information, resources and materials  whose sum constitutes the 
intellectual foundation of civilization. 
The Role of the  Library 
The Library is a creature of many roles:  The Library provides 
opportunities for  learning; encourages the fulfillment of civic duty; facilitates 
communication;  preserves valuable and desired materials and access to 
information in many  formats; expands opportunities for creative expression; and 
provides a haven for  civilized activities of many sorts.  

The Role of  Librarians 
We believe that librarianship constitutes  a stewardship in furtherance of 
this role, and that all librarians are obligated  to adhere to these 
purposes despite conflicting or opposing social, economic,  environmental, or 
political influences.  
We believe that the essential  responsibility of the librarian to this role 
remains without regard to the paths  or chosen methods taken by individual 
libraries for which she may  labor. 
Librarians fulfill the role of the  library; they personify the spirit of 
the institution, maintain its processes  and bring its goals to fruition.  
Librarians accept the burden of the past, accept the responsibility of  the 
present day and anticipate the duties and needs of the future. 
Librarians make the Library  possible:  they select, organize,  
disseminate, but always without judging either material or the individuals who  seek 
it.  Librarians defend the  existence of material, the access to information 
and the rights of the library  users.   
Librarians evaluate, but do not  judge. 
We  believe also that: 
Librarians must maintain and promote openness and  transparency in their 
engagements with users, and in their relations with other  professionals and 
institutions.  
Librarians must recognize and eliminate barriers  to cooperation between 
the Library and its users.  
Seek and use information derived from other fields  in order to improve the 
institution and the profession; 
Assist users in learning to use the Library’s  tools in order to receive 
its benefits; 
Speak and act in support of the Library and these  principles; 
Evaluate changes in procedure or policy against  the background of these 
principles and in light of best practices for the  Library community; 
Support the free flow of information and materials  regardless of source, 
origin, substance or destination; 
Support the profession and its principles through  training and hiring of 
those likely to adhere to these principles; oppose those  whose actions would 
do otherwise; 
Maintain an atmosphere of trust, friendship and  collegiality among 
practitioners  and those the Library serves. 

The Preservation of the  Library 
As stewards, Librarians  ensure preservation of access and materials; they 
accept the best of traditional  methods and embrace the best of new 
technologies while understanding that, as  the book surpassed the scroll, change is 
a constant and not an  enemy. 
Librarians accept change, choosing the best  of the new for the improvement 
of service and the institution itself.  Preservation and providing are the 
only constants.   
Conclusion 
With  faith that our citizens will accept these principles as a token of 
our love for  the Library and a guide to our intentions, we remain, 
John Blyberg, Kathryn Greenhill, and  Cindi Trainor
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