Social Justice and Activism in Libraries

Essays on Diversity and Change
Erscheinungsjahr 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4766-7203-8
Verlag: McFarland

Buch, Englisch, 128 Seiten, Paperback, Format (B × H): 178 mm x 254 mm, Gewicht: 442 g

In a changing world, with multiple and often conflicting voices, the library’s important role as a location of safety and inclusion as well as the crusader for knowledge cannot be overstated. It can be easy to reflect differing perspectives in our collections and displays, but if we do not practice our values, we are lacking. As leaders in our communities, librarians have an obligation to educate and inform; we must be ready to lead and model the principles we support. The question that arises for many is: how?

As an integral part of the community, libraries need to move beyond diverse collection development and social issues displays. Here, experienced librarians offer suggestions, guidance and inspiration to motivate librarians at all levels to consider the assumptions we may take for granted, seek out new creative paths, and work to support change in our organizations. Be it steps to create a book group for the intellectually disabled, partnering with social workers or advocacy for employees with disabilities from within, included in these chapters are both theoretical foundation and hands on practical ideas.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Epstein, Su

Smallwood, Carol

Gubnitskaia, Vera

Fachgebiete

• Interdisziplinäres Bibliothekswesen, Informationswissenschaften Bibliothekswesen, Informationswissenschaften, Archivwesen

Über Autor(innen)

Su Epstein is the director at the Saxton B. Little Free Library in Columbia, Connecticut. her writing has appeared in several publications as well as the blog Public Libraries Online.

Carol Smallwood, a recipient of multiple Pushcart nominations, is the author of journal articles as well as editor of numerous books including one in Poets & Writers Magazine List of Best Books for Writers. A Michigan resident, her experience includes school, public and special libraries.

Vera Gubnitskaia is a reference librarian at Valencia College, Winter Park, Florida. She has worked in public and academic libraries in Russia and the United States, contributed chapters to several professional publications, edited multiple anthologies, and published book reviews.