I recently completed a short article on the connections between social justice and hardware for an upcoming issue of Access magazine. In the article I mention the use of conflict minerals in cell phones. Conflict minerals, which include the 3Ts (tin, tantalum, tungsten) and gold, are minerals mined to fund armed conflict and thereby contribute to human rights abuses, notably in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are currently found in all consumer electronics products.

As mobile technology is a major focus for the profession, I believe that a greater awareness of this issue may help librarians and libraries make more informed decisions when purchasing technologies. I would encourage both individuals, institutions and our professional organizations to take an interest. In the same way that students are demanding conflict-free campuses, perhaps we should have conflict-free libraries.

For more information, follow the links below;

Blood in the Mobile (Documentary)

Raise Hope for Congo

Make it Fair