About & Contact

Andy Woodworth is a librarian in New Jersey. He is an award winning blogger, the creator of the ALA shirt “Endangered” and the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom campaign “It’s Everyone’s Job“, guest columnist, conference presenter, unconference organizer, and one time keynote speaker. He has two sons and one very understanding wife.
(Standard disclaimer: all opinions are personal and not my employer’s.)

I am a freelance writer and consultant with expertise in library social media practices, policy writing, best programming practices, and issue research. For a full listing of all my previous works and projects, please see my LinkedIn profile.

I am the primary author for an EveryLibrary Institute white paper entitled, “The Impact of Literacy and Library Services on Crime Rates and Public Safety” which examines how library services can boost community literacy levels and how that can help break the cycles of poverty and incarceration.

All proceeds from sales of the #endlibraryfines shirts will be used to support this website.

Acknowledgements:
I want to thank Beth Crist and Meg DePriest for their extensive work on the issue of libraries going fine free. I am standing on the shoulders of giants and they have done so much for the issue.

Meg DePriest wrote the 2015 white paper for the Colorado State Library advocating for the elimination of fines and fees on children’s materials. Currently, she is a consultant with the California State Library working on the Public Library Survey and the state literacy statistics.

Thanks to Sarah Houghton as a sounding board, cheerleader, and good friend for encouraging me along with this project.

Suggestions, links to additional articles and resources, and comments welcome.