Libraries on the Frontlines: Neutrality and Social Justice

Authors

Amelia N. Gibson, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillFollow
Renate L. Chancellor, The Catholic University of America
Nicole A. Cooke, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Sarah Park Dahlen, St Catherine University
Shari A. Lee, St John's University
Yasmeen Shorish, James Madison UniversityFollow

Publication Date

2017

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Purpose

This article examines libraries’ responsibility to engage with and support communities of color as they challenge systemic racism, engage in the political process, and exercise their right to free speech. Many libraries have ignored the Black Lives Matter movement, citing the need to maintain neutrality. Despite extensive scholarship questioning the validity of this concept, the framing of library neutrality as nonpartisanship continues. This article examines librarianship’s engagement with, and disengagement from Black communities through the lens of the Black Lives Matter movement. It also explores the implications of education, engagement, and activism for people of color and libraries today.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have engaged the topic from a critical race perspective as a practice in exercising voice - telling stories, presenting counterstories, and practicing advocacy (Ladson-Billings, 1998).

Findings

The assertion that libraries have been socially and politically neutral organizations is ahistorical. When libraries decide not to address issues relevant to people of color, they are not embodying neutrality; they are actively electing not to support the information and service needs of a service population. In order for libraries to live up to their core values, they must engage actively with communities, especially when those communities are in crisis. Originality/value

As a service field, librarianship has an ethos, values, and history that parallel those of many other service fields. This paper has implications for developing understanding of questions about equitable service provision.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Comments

This article was published as:

Amelia N. Gibson, Renate L. Chancellor, Nicole A. Cooke, Sarah Park Dahlen, Shari A. Lee, Yasmeen L. Shorish, "Libraries on the frontlines: neutrality and social justice", Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-11-2016-0100

Recommended Citation

Gibson, Amelia N.; Chancellor, Renate L.; Cooke, Nicole A.; Dahlen, Sarah Park; Lee, Shari A.; and Shorish, Yasmeen, "Libraries on the Frontlines: Neutrality and Social Justice" (2017). Libraries. 99.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/letfspubs/99