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

Thu Apr 22 11:56:30 EDT 2021

Hello everyone,

Although the Humanities and Philosophy major in me wants to discuss the
content of this conversation so far, I don’t feel this is the most
productive way of engaging in the topic at hand. But there is something I
would like to address that has yet to be mentioned.

What I would like to mention is on the subject of BIPOC in our own
community as library professionals. I recognize that I am part of the
majority in our profession - white women. However, there are certainly
BIPOC professionals that subscribe to mich-lib and are having to see and
hear that there are those in our profession who feel their inclusion and
visibility - that BIPOC inclusion and visibility - is political. It is not.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not political positions and
prioritizing DEI initiatives is not a political stance.

I recognize my privilege in my reaction to these events being anger or
discomfort rather than the trauma or exhaustion my BIPOC peers may be
experiencing. While our patrons will never see this conversation, it felt
important for me to recognize that ultimately this argument boils down to
seeing the inclusion of marginalized people and voices as a political
position to take. Most of the conversation has been how we engage with this
topic to provide a welcoming community for all of our patrons, but for some
this conversation looks very different. We can all hang up our name tag at
the end of the day, but BIPOC cannot hang up the inclusion of their
identities being “politically” debated.

I am so thankful for all of the wonderful library professionals across the
state who are working to make their libraries more inclusive spaces, both
for our patrons but also for our staff. I have met so many of you along my
journey so far and I’m grateful for what I’ve learned from you and for the
effort and care you bring to our community.

The last thing I would like to say is to highlight the importance of
equitable representation on the topic of diversity and inclusion. When we
are told there are multiple sides, it is important to recognize which
voices are speaking on which platforms. It is our responsibility to assure
BIPOC and marginalized voices are given equitable weight on the topic of
DEI in libraries.

Again, I appreciate the work so many of you have done, are doing, and will
do to make your spaces more inclusionary. I look forward to watching the
way we transform library services together.

Warmly,

Hannah Stoloff

(she/they)

Children Services Librarian

Clinton Macomb Public Library

On Thu, Apr 22, 2021 at 11:06 AM Amelia Nolan via Michlib-l <
michlib-l at mcls.org> wrote:

> 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> 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
>> ----------------------------------
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Michlib-l mailing list
>> Michlib-l at mcls.org
>> https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
>>
> _______________________________________________
> Michlib-l mailing list
> Michlib-l at mcls.org
> https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l
>

-- 
Hannah Stoloff
School of Information
stoloffh at umich.edu
(248) 762-9885
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mail3.mcls.org/pipermail/michlib-l/attachments/20210422/89bd10a5/attachment.html>