History of critical/radical/progressive librarianship #critlib chat-- October 11th, 2016
Below you will find tweets from the history of critical/radical/progressive librarianship #critlib chat, which was moderated by @violetbfox and @ClaireB_LIS. Feel free to reach out to me-- @KristynMC-- with comments or feedback! Enjoy!
- First, some build up to the chat!
- Feel like you're undereducated about history of librarianship? Me too. Let's talk tonight & learn together! http://critlib.org/history-of-critical-librarianship/ … #critlib
- Onto the chat and a sample of participant introductions!
- i'm bianca, a student at @PrattInfoSchool ! #critlib
- Question 1: What are the similarities or differences in current approaches to bringing social justince into libraries versus previous efforts? #critlib
- @modbrarian Do you think so? I meet a lot of people who have never heard of #critlib, so I wonder...
- A1. Definitely agree! Visibility & awareness is definitely a huge contributing factor. #critlib https://twitter.com/modbrarian/status/786011398627352576 …
- @aboutness imho, it tracks a lot with protests/activism in general: a lack of patience with old-school organizing & organizations. #critlib
- @violetbfox @aboutness Samesies: I'd say initiatives in Aus LIS historically track with broader social movements esp. during 1970s #critlib
- Question 2: How is the work of previous critical librarians evident in lib practices today? Is it more evident in some areas of practice? Question 2 only elicited a few responses. Perhaps people were still thinking about question 1?
- A1: we have one example of a white librarian who fought to desegregate libraries: Juliet Hampton Morgan: http://www.tolerance.org/lesson/juliette-hampton-morgan-white-woman-who-understood … #critlib
- A1: And activists like Ethel Sawyer were arrested for doing a sit in to desegregate libraries: https://dp.la/exhibitions/exhibits/show/history-us-public-libraries/segregated-libraries/desegregation … #critlib
- Question 3: What do the critical theory-focused elements of #critlib bring to the critical librarian conversation? How do they detract?
- @beeewrites I'd argue that everyone slips up, even "it getters". #critlib
- @violetbfox @beeewrites what really matters is how you respond when called out, even if it is only yourself who notices the slip. #critlib
- @violetbfox @beeewrites Agreed. Part of doing The Work means you're going to make mistakes. It's ok, as long as your learn from it. #critlib
- @kevinseeber @violetbfox @beeewrites And doing legitimate apologies. No, "I'm sorry you were offended." #critlib
- Continuing:to sort the over-throry-ing (related-ish to tenure-work)/back-patting, priority setting etc #critlib @nicholsonkp @eminencefont https://twitter.com/xsublibrarian/status/786022706332438528 …
- Question 4: What do we lose if we aren't aware of our critical librarianship history?
- Yes! #critlib was made possible because of it! https://twitter.com/violetbfox/status/786020565664477184 …
- Agreed- i think programs are struggling with the red herring of "balancing theory and practice" at this moment #critlib https://twitter.com/violetbfox/status/786020565664477184 …
- @metageeky Until everyone in the room believes it and lives it--I think we're far from there, to be honest. #critlib
- @metageeky That's often to offset the continued assertion that we are neutral. It's still taught in LIS programs, still in the lit. #critlib
- I pulled together something today that I want to share: More further readings on history of #critlib http://libraryjuicepress.com/blog/?p=5389
- Thanks @rorylitwin! i'll be reading this...so much about this I don't know and want to learn #critlib https://twitter.com/rorylitwin/status/786021723938299904 …
- The chat ended with a series of pitches, using the #critpitch hashtag. Critical pitches are essentially calls for action.
- #critpitch: Think #critlib is all talk and no action? Suggest some action! Make it happen with your critlib pals! Let's do it together!
- #critlib pitch Buy yrself or loved one an #InFormation #BlackLivesMatter T-shirt made for ALISE 2017. Benefits BLM https://www.spreadspirit.com/blm-alise-2017#/35-size-xs/11-color-black/359-style-3001u_unisex_made_in_the_usa_jersey_short_sleeve_t_shirt …
- Cataloging & Classification Quarterly is reviving its interview series & I'm going to be interviewing Sandy Berman. #critlib #critpitch
- If there's anything you'd like to ask Sandy or hear his opinion on, please let me know. DM or email me. Thanks! #critlib #critpitch
- The next 60th #critlib chat is scheduled for Monday, October 17, 2016 on the topic of diversity/inclusion/anti-oppression at public service points and will be moderated by @gnomadlibrarian. Time: 11am Pacific / noon Mountain / 1pm Central / 2pm Eastern. For more info, check out the site here: http://critlib.org/public-service-points/ ….
