Social and cultural justice is a very important topic that librarians are challenged with protecting every day. According to the American Library Association, “The American Library Association recognizes the critical need for access to library and information resources, services, and technologies by all people, especially those who may experience language or literacy-related barriers; economic distress; cultural or social isolation; physical or attitudinal barriers; racism; discrimination on the basis of appearance, ethnicity, immigrant status, religious background, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression; or barriers to equal education, employment, and housing.” This statement is the cornerstone of why libraries were created, and why they are as important today as ever. Specifically, a library should be a place for everyone to go where they can just exist and not feel pressured to buy anything or have a true purpose for being there. Ensuring that everyone who comes through the doors of the library sees themselves represented in the books and media on the shelves has not been without its historical challenges. Specifically, where a library does not provide the resources its patrons may require, it may result in social injustice. Such an example are book bans, where the creation of an environment excluding certain materials results in a loss of resources to a given population. Where social justices are not defended, questionable materials are challenged and excluded improperly. It is up to us, as librarians, to defend social justice and availability of resources for all.
Admin. (2021, March 10). Programming to promote diversity. Advocacy, Legislation & Issues. Retrieved from https://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/culturalprogrammingtopromotediversity
Assignment 1: LS 522 (Dr. Naidoo)
For my first work sample, I chose to showcase this learning objective was a website page that I created for Dr. Naidoo’s class, Materials and Services for Young Adults. For this assignment we had to, “identify a current issue relevant to today’s young adults, conduct a brief review of the professional literature covering this issue (i.e. journal articles), identify at least 6 positively reviewed young adult books (4 fiction and 2 nonfiction) and 1 digital resource (digital app, Tedtalk, professional web stream, website, etc.) that relate to the issue, and identify at least one non-library related program/organization/agency that works with young adults to address this identified problem.” I chose to highlight the lack of support services and materials available for our LGBTQ+ youth within libraries. Oftentimes, youth who identify as LGBTQ+ struggle to find the literature and support to answer their questions and connect them with resources. It is our responsibilities as librarians to ensure there are appropriate and adequate information that our youth can access without bias or threat of retaliation.
Naidoo, J. (2022). Syllabus. Materials and Services for Young Adults.
Assignment 2: LS 544 (Professor Leung)
My second showcased assignment was a community partnership program I created for Professor Leung’s Cultural Diversity Programming for Children, Teens and Families class. This task closely aligned with the American Library Association’s statement, “underrepresented patrons may experience several issues which limit their full, beneficial use of the library. Libraries can work to bring the library to these communities through outreach and partnership efforts at cultural events, through community-based organizations, or through local media.” By creating events that are not only fun, but educational for the community, we promote acceptance and appreciation for other cultures and traditions. This is another great resource librarians have in their toolbox to show community members that they are welcome in the library by having them represented in programs.
Admin. (2021, March 10). Programming to promote diversity. Advocacy, Legislation & Issues. Retrieved from https://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/culturalprogrammingtopromotediversity
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c._williams_community_partnership_program.pdf |