A Call to Action

The ALA Code of Ethics Item 9 is inspiring and also reads like a call to action: We affirm the inherent dignity and rights of every person. We work to recognize and dismantle systemic and individual biases; to confront inequity and oppression; to enhance diversity and inclusion; and to advance racial and social justice in our libraries, communities, profession, and associations through awareness, advocacy, education, collaboration, services, and allocation of resources and spaces. Though this is last on the list, it seems to underlie everything above, creating a foundation for the Big Why of what libraries do and how they do it, regardless of what specialization or sector the library occupies. Whenever in doubt, this provision guides us to the librarianship standard. In much the same way that basic labor laws are posted at the workplace and that Patient’s Rights are posted in medical clinics, I’d like to see the ALA Code of EthicsLinks to an external site.Links to an external site., ALA Core ValuesLinks to an external site.Links to an external site., and the ALA Library Bill of RightsLinks to an external site.Links to an external site. posted in every library. The Attendant Freedom to Read should be posted as well, especially in the children’s area. Provision 1 of the Freedom to Read StatementLinks to an external site.Links to an external site. states “It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widest diversity of views and expressions, including those that are unorthodox, unpopular, or considered dangerous by the majority.”  This is paramount for patrons to understand that they have the right to expect the library to act as a portal into the unknown, even (and possibly especially) when the unknown leads to topics and content deemed unorthodox, unpopular, or dangerous by the majority. Beyond just presenting ideas and materials, this statement makes clear that the library is -- by design and as a mission -- a safe space for oddities. Many of those who found themselves in libraries were able to do so because they themselves were deemed unorthodox, unpopular, or dangerous by the majority.  

In her 2018 article “Ethics, values, and intellectual freedom in school libraries,” Dr. Oltmann found that school librarians seem to have the least support for ALA ethic of resisting censorship and ALA core of democracy, and that these two elements are difficult to see as relevant to their regular work life in school libraries. I find it very interesting that school librarians are likely to self-censor on diversity and inclusion lines with regards to materials, and that they often use age-appropriate factors in limiting materials in the school library, while also skewing towards reflecting existing community diversity. This seems like a natural human inclination, but one that is problematic in terms of the ALA professional standards. 

living oprah?

Yesterday on the way to volunteer at the local library, i heard an article on NPR where a woman named Robyn is dedicating a year of her life to "living Oprah." I groaned inwardly, assuming this was another celebrity-wannabe moment, but man was I ever wrong. I listened to the interview, and confess that i was impressed by Robyn's vision and by Michele Norris' questions. Serendipitously, I have in the past few months found myself secretly attracted to the Oprah craze. I like what she has to say about living better, more meaningful lives, the lives we think we should have, and in fact are often within our reach. So Robyn's attempts to put Oprah to the test were fascinating. Oprah's site is my only real source of Oprah, as you can't pick up even PBS in our area without a satellite dish, and that's where i found an article that was so good, i posted a tidbit of it (with my own commentary, of course). When I visited Oprah's site today, i discovered that she and her friend Bob Greene have decided to issue a challenge to people to live the lives they imagine. I wanted to sign up, but then realized it's all about weight loss, the single area of my life that actually doesn't need any improvement. Go figure. But there has been the continuing stuff-purge going on, and I haven't really done much since last weekend (bad heidis). Tonight I should take some of the bins and go in Graeme's room, even if i do nothing more than pick up everything on the floor and toss it summarily into a bin, it would be an improvement. Actually, that sounds like a pretty good idea, and something i can likely accomplish in 30 minutes. I've been so overwhelmed by the whole stuff-issue that I gave myself a thirty minute limit: i can only take on a task that takes thirty minutes or less. Even if i decide to go on to another one, i need to take a break in-between them, sit down, have a resting moment. Baby steps. Can I have a margarita while i do it? Honestly, I feel lost in my personal life right now, though that's nothing new for July. What I do know is that as in-between, neither-here-nor-there as July always feels for me, somehow things always seem to solidify in September and October. I don't know if it's just the social training of the school schedule or what, but it seems that however I get to the Autumnal equinox, it is somehow indeed balancing. By the time the pumpkin carving comes around, I feel more myself, and as though the path ahead of me is clear. This year I'm trying to make the most of the July fourth - Halloween limbo by setting up a framework to make the coming year as simple and uncluttered as I can. It's all about possibilities.