Times Weekly, staff report
David Moore announced his candidacy for Secretary of State during National Library Week. He made his introduction into the race embracing one of his initiatives if elected, which is youth programming through local libraries, while Promoting Libraries as Community Connectors. “Since my announcement for secretary of state, I’ve talked about ways to engage young people and make learning fun,” said Moore. “My goal is to incorporate virtual reality programming to give library visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in places and adventures beyond their daily lives.”
Studies have shown libraries are the most trusted institutions in our country and Moore said he embraces the opportunity to be an advocate for reimaging the neighborhood library and connecting communities to each other.
As secretary of state, Moore will:
- advocate for more diversity among library professionals. According to the Department for Professional Employees, 83% of librarians in the U.S. are white.
- promote The Spectrum Scholarship Program, an American Library Association initiative, which seeks to bring diversity and inclusion to the library field by supporting new generations of racially and ethnically diverse library students.
- implement Libraries Build Business, which the Gwinnett County Georgia Public Library created to help community members, who have served time in jail or prison to create their own businesses, which includes a six-month program of training, so that formerly incarcerated people can overcome barriers to professional success.
- provide grants for universal broadband. Access to high-speed internet connectivity is essential for education, professional success, health care and civic engagement.
“During COVID, the American Library Association Council, declared that universal access to affordable high-capacity broadband is a basic human right for all,” declared Moore.
