public libraries and #critlib
Storify of the #critlib chat from May 19, 2015 on public libraries and #critlib, moderated by @hamtron5000. For more information about #critlib, including past & future chats, please see http://tinyurl.com/critlibx.
Introductions
Q1: What does #critlib look like in the public library/how do publib employees use critical lenses to inform their work?
A1 We could do more consultation w/patrons on programs/policy in my library I think, great suggestion @melbrarian. #critlib- @melbrarian YES this=huge research interest of mine, access to tech too, so impt & not guaranteed w/students @ my public city uni #critlib
@hamtron5000 can you give an ex of a display? #critlib- @hamtron5000 did you make it explicit that they were authors of color? #critlib
- @hamtron5000 was there any pushback from your community, esp. Islamophobic? #critlib
@hamtron5000 What was the feedback like? Any pushback? @ibeilin
A1: FYI, Please see Librarians Views on Critical Theories and Critical Practices: http://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1152&context=ulib_fac … #critlib
@kshockey04 @iumuslib YES! Excellent addition.- @catladylib Can you elaborate?
@hamtron5000 addressing socioeconomic gaps w/in the community w/services like letting ppl chck out internet: http://n.pr/1EineBP #critlib- @hamtron5000 More like what informs the work I guess? Like why libraries do what they do. #critlib
- @catladylib Exactly. How two sources that say different things can both be "right" depending on context.
- Yes! Workplace culture is always an essential element of #critlib. https://twitter.com/melbrarian/status/600831405128421376 …
- @melbrarian @barnlib Exactly! I have another question about that but feel free to elaborate and identify possible ways around that!
- @hamtron5000 yes it usually is and it's definitely worth the risks, whatever those might be #critlib
Q2: Pub libs as a "neutral" space; how does that stereotype inform our work (ref interviews, material requests, etc)?
- @hamtron5000 I've often wondered abt giving the answer vs. showing how to find it oneself in a public library context. Is that complex, too?
- Right, @hamtron5000 & sometimes the appropriate #critlib thing to do is to give the patron what they want, yeah? How do you know when?
- @hamtron5000 For legal questions it is necessary to let the patron know that your services do not equate to legal advise. #critlib
- @MohamedBerray Yes, absolutely. And while we can print legal forms for them, we can't help them fill it out. Run in to this a lot! #critlib
- @melbrarian So true! No matter how much we want to.
@hamtron5000 @edrabinski argh "neutral" drives me crazy. can we embrace "common space for multiplicity"! #critlib- @melbrarian Awesome question. I have, and I had to bite my tongue and provide resources; what I felt was my duty. #critlib
- Great point from @melbrarian: how do we handle getting asked offensive/triggering questions? What's our responsibility? #critlib
- .@hamtron5000 @melbrarian But I'd also suss out whether patron is harassing or asking a genuine question. If former, shut it down. #critlib
@InfAgit @hamtron5000 feel v lucky that i haven't been in former situation particularly, think i'd really have trouble trusting my judgement- Think this applies across all types of libraries. Wonder if our answers are different? #critlib https://twitter.com/hamtron5000/status/600835535347716096 …
- @hamtron5000 Believe it or not, dedication to public service will trigger public advocacy in your favor (or on your behalf) #critlib
Q3: As agents of "authority" (county, city, district, etc), how can we "speak our truth" to those in positions of power who are often our employers?
- @hamtron5000 there are cases when the patron is the more privileged one in both pub and acad libs - can't assume any relationship #critlib
- A3: there's also #privilege within the library that needs to be navigated: admins, librarians, support staff, pages, volunteers... #critlib
- I think being aware of that privilege/those differences is itself important - and also discussing that w/ colleagues. @melbrarian #critlib
- @hamtron5000 @InfAgit that is such a great question. i guess the first thing i learnt was "expect to be labelled a troublemaker" lol
- @melbrarian I'd say it's really imp to learn what the person wants - yr privilege might actually help in some cases, no? #critlib
- @melbrarian sometimes patrons ask us things because of our privilege - they're not asking for empathy but info, help, etc #critlib
- @melbrarian which isn't to say anyone expects us to be 'patronizing'! #critlib
- @melbrarian no I was thinking on a more mundane level as in knowledge we take for granted, ie social and cultural capital #critlib
- @melbrarian @ibeilin I agree with that for sure. How do we combat that, I wonder?
- @melbrarian in acad. context, students demand (and deserve) the same social & cultural capital I have, even though system is unjust #critlib
- @melbrarian exactly - how to share that knowledge while keeping its true function exposed and communicating the critical awareness #critlib
- @melbrarian yes, absolutely true! but as long as it functions that way, less privileged may demand it, and they will ask me for it #critlib
- Lots of things are data, @lisalibrarian, and none of them neutral! #critlib
Q4: As one of the "last free spaces" in the public sphere, what unique critical responsibilities do we have to our patrons?
@hamtron5000 @InfAgit consider revising weeding criteria to factor this in? otherwise next weeder makes diff judgement call and it's gone- @hamtron5000 @InfAgit Sounds like the weeding criteria need to be adapted, too!
- Buying materials beyond bestsellers/blockbusters and/or by POC, hosting performances/concerts from other cultures... @hamtron5000 #critlib
- And, lower cost, scheduling public discussions on current events (#BlackLivesMatter, resisting online surveillance...) @hamtron5000 #critlib
- @hamtron5000 And I feel like a big part of my responsibility to patrons is to keep it that way. #critlib
- @hamtron5000 I wonder if public libraries are the only ones doing that anymore? #critlib
- @kevinseeber In my community, publibs are the only place that patrons can go for free tech help or classes. The ONLY place. #critlib
- @hamtron5000 Or even a place with a roof/air conditioning/running water w/out expectation of purchasing something?
- .@hamtron5000 @kevinseeber Other examples of free mutual aid teaching but 1) likely in cities and 2) often homogenous scenes. #critlib
Q5: What resources (print, online, etc) would you recommend for a public library staff to increase their #critlib knowledge?
- Looking forward to answers to Q5, thinking they could also be useful for acad libs staff #critlib readings/discussions. :) @hamtron5000
- Q5 #critlib of course! and associated zotero, which i hope is ok for me (as a reader but non-contributor) to share https://www.zotero.org/groups/critlib
- @hamtron5000 There's this great book called Informed Agitation, edited by @InfAgit. Not just public librarianship, but some. :)
@hamtron5000 Yes, uni affiliates are primary constituency/1st priority, & how that manifests can be problematic #critlib- @kshockey04 Ooh, that would be awesome. Yes, please!
- @ginaschless all are of course, but some extremely so - no poor people for ex #critlib
- @hamtron5000 it may end with hemlock #critlib
- This has been a great convo on #critlib in public libraries! (and still going) https://twitter.com/hamtron5000/status/600841497676656640 …
- A5 Since there don't seem to be a ton of #critlib bibliography suggs right now, maybe add them/check the Zotero grp? https://www.zotero.org/groups/critlib
- One reading I'd recommend re: tonight's #critlib is @taneyagethers's Informed Agitation chapter on culturally responsive library service.
Pitches and future #critlib
- Okay #critlib friends! Been one helluvan hour! Any #critpitches?
- Also, next #critlib chat is @Heath_Bears: kinesthetic/hands-on librarianship/learning or bodily librarianship/learning!
- @hamtron5000 @Heath_Bears I hope @alisonhicks0 can be a part of this chat- topic relates to her excellent LOEX talk. #critlib #coloradical
@kevinseeber @hamtron5000 @alisonhicks0 I found a reading on drawing and information literacy that I'm super excited about! #critlib- @hamtron5000 @kevinseeber @alisonhicks0 I'll be adding it to the #critlib gdoc, but here is the link: http://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/handle/10125/34862/BrierLebbinInfoLitDrawing.pdf?sequence=1 …
- @hamtron5000 @kevinseeber @alisonhicks0 I've also been looking at info on human/living libraries. All will be in gdoc! #critlib
- @alisonhicks0 @kevinseeber @hamtron5000 i work at a tech college so this is right up my alley! #critlib
- Here are the slides from @alisonhicks0: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/195EmY5qyRGm-r_klZ-hzaLG9jVteyB39mCsKQn_hnOo/ … Thinking abt Lloyd cite & corporeal information. @hamtron5000 @Heath_Bears
Good nights and gratitude
- Now that I've revealed my ignorance of philosophy theory and gadfly-nicity, signing off. Great #critlib chat @hamtron5000! Goodnight all. <3
- Terrific #critlib tonight, many thanks to @hamtron5000 for rad moderating, great to chat with everyone!
- Thanks @hamtron5000 for such an exciting #critlib - we need a lot more public lib convos here!!
- Thanks @hamtron5000 for moderating a great #critlib convo about public libraries.
- hey @hamtron5000 ty for moderating #critlib! & ty to everyone sharing their ideas & experiences. my first one for a while! have missed it:-)
- Thank you, @hamtron5000, for great public library #critlib! Hopefully future ones will have more PL participants (and our acad colleagues).
