[Michlib-l] Discomfort with Wednesday post about "neutrality"

Thu Apr 22 11:05:02 EDT 2021

Karyn, I would like to thank you for posting your concerns to the listserv that many of us share about the profession becoming too political. I think the fact that many emailed you privately but were afraid to put their names out there speaks volumes.

Activism isn't our calling but instead we should continue to provide the public with equal access to information of all stripes and to treat all people with dignity and respect. I believe that is what makes libraries such vital places in a democracy and makes me proud to be in this profession.

Amy Nolan

Children's Services Supervisor

St. Joseph Public Library

269-983-7167

________________________________
From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces at mcls.org> on behalf of Jennifer Noble via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 7:31 PM
To: kruley at uproc.lib.mi.us
Cc: michlib-l at mcls.org
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] Discomfort with Wednesday post about "neutrality"

Hello all,

I don't feel qualified to touch on the Hillsdale article cited, nor really to open up a discussion about racism in general, as a white woman. I would like to respectfully push back on the point raised about community demographics, though. While I agree that we should make sure all patrons can see themselves represented in our materials, and I myself have fallen back on buying "less diverse" titles that I think my community will appreciate more when my budget is tight, I don't think demographics should be a priority consideration when doing collection development. We can all read/watch/listen to and enjoy books and movies about people who differ from ourselves; in fact, I'd say that's frequently the point of fiction, and not uncommon in nonfiction. We don't have to force our patrons to read about topics they have no interest in, but we shouldn't inhibit their imaginations for the sake of hewing strictly to reported demographics, either.

There will always be loud patrons who disagree with something we're doing, rightly or wrongly. But there will also always be patrons who silently appreciate that we got that title by a person of color or LGBTQ person or religious person that they were too afraid to request under their own name in case we judged them. Let's not forget the latter group as we shape our collections, programs, and policies. After all, they pay taxes, too.

Sincerely,
Jen Noble
Adult & Teen Services Librarian

On Wed, Apr 21, 2021, 6:03 PM Karyn Ruley via Michlib-l <michlib-l at mcls.org<mailto:michlib-l at mcls.org>> wrote:
  Hello to everyone who responded to my post to Kim True. I had sent two more
responses that did not get posted, I believe due to an email/subscription
mixup. They are below. I continue to get emailed, off-list thank yous and
encouragement for what I said, and I appreciate them immensely but REALLY
wish someone would post to the listserv so it does not appear I am the only
one in the library world with these thoughts. The only time a difference is
ever made is when people are vocal and unafraid.

  I'd also like to say that just because training exists promoting the topics
we've been discussing, it doesn't prove they are correct or that they should
exist at all.

  We've seen a couple sources posted to support the topics. I am posting one
that does not. It perfectly illustrates that there ARE two sides involved.
We are not to be promoting this with other people's tax dollars. Nor would I
be posting anything on a library social media page arguing against it. Offer
books, documentaries, etc. from both perspectives for your patrons to decide
for themselves. And continue to not discriminate when it comes to who has
access.

https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/critical-race-theory-fight/

Thank you, THIS will be the last of my comments on this specific post.

Karyn Ruley
Technology Associate

Crawford County Library

(1st response)
Hello -

  First, I would like to thank everyone for their kind and civil responses. I
know this is a delicate subject. That being said, I actually did receive
several responses to my post - all of them positive, all of them private. Many
unfortunately fear speaking out about this topic when they have a certain
view. I wish more would find the courage.

  I'd like to clarify my use of the word neutral. As libraries, we are funded
with taxpayer dollars and are therefore not to take public stances on
political issues. This IS a political issue with opposing sides and
statistics, some believing that white privilege is not a true concept, that
our country is not systemically racist, that "decolonizing" our collections is
wrong, etc. Posting about diversity and inclusivity (linked topics) DOES upset
a good portion of the patronage whether you agree with the subject and feel
it's your mission or not. We have to be mindful that we serve our individual
communities and not our own causes with our library positions and other
citizens' tax dollars.

  As long as we are following the ALA guidelines and asking ourselves the
questions I mentioned, as well as creating collections that fit our
communities and not our own ideals, we are on the right track. It is not our
place to tell our patrons what to think or how to behave on the world scale,
it is our job to provide them with materials that fit their needs and
interests to let them make up their own minds.

Karyn Ruley
Technology Associate

Crawford County Library

(2nd response)
Hello, again -

  I feel I need to clarify a couple more things and then I am no longer
commenting on this particular post as I don’t believe this is the place for
continuous debate. I will remain a voice on the subject and any other if I
feel I need to be, and hope the fear of cancellation doesn’t keep others
quiet.

  I want to say I didn’t assume everyone’s patron demographics are majority
white. I was originally speaking directly to the OP and took a look at her
area. The stats I saw showed the population to be 94% white. I don’t live
there, that may not be the most accurate number, but it gave me an idea
before I made any assumptions.

  The ALA Code of Ethics may not use the words “be neutral” but it does use
the word unbiased and states that we should “distinguish between our
personal convictions and professional duties and not allow our personal
beliefs to interfere with fair representation of the aims of our
institutions or the provision of access to their information resources.”

  This type of neutrality is not the neutrality Elie Wiesel spoke of. Our
service is to be fair and impartial and I’m sure the majority of the
libraries on this listserv would already consider their service as such. But
we are not to go looking for problems. If a group feels underrepresented or
underserved, they do have some responsibility in bringing it to our
attention and they are welcome to make suggestions. Removing certain items
from your collection and adding others to represent “everyone” might just
create a collection your community didn’t really want or ask for.

  Please remember people are not defined by their skin color or ethnic
backgrounds or sexual orientation. Our experiences may be different or the
same for many reasons. Sometimes, there just isn’t a problem. When we insist
on highlighting what we believe to be underrepresented groups are we
diversifying or dividing? Maybe the group identity you gave them wasn’t a
big part of their identity to begin with.

  The first question shouldn’t be “How can we welcome a wider swath of the
population?” it should be “How can we better serve OUR community?”

Sincerely,

Karyn Ruley
Technology Associate

Crawford County Library
201 Plum St.
Grayling, MI
49738
Phone: 989-348-9214
Fax: 989-348-9294
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