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

Thu Apr 22 12:52:17 EDT 2021

It has come to my attention that I should clarify my statement that; I
agree Amy's statement that libraries are for everyone and no one should be
made to feel uncomfortable within this space.

Kat Boyer
Director
Benton Harbor Public Library
213 E Wall St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022

On Thu, Apr 22, 2021 at 11:39 AM Kat Boyer <librarykat.15 at gmail.com> wrote:

> I would like to second what Amy has said.
> It can be a fine and hard line to determine, as information can have
> political ramifications, but librarians are not necessarily to use their
> job to make a political stance.  Everyone should feel welcome in the
> library, everyone.
> Kat Boyer
> Director
> Benton Harbor Public Library
> 213 E Wall St.
> Benton Harbor, MI 49022
>
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 22, 2021 at 11:09 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
>>>
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