Activism + Librarianship = Librarianship

I was happy to find this interview with Jessamyn West on Friction Magazine. I take for granted that many of us need to draw out how activism and librarianship go hand-in-hand–if they’re not interchangeable.  I was initially surpised that the connections between the two were not apparent in many of our minds and that we needed someone to spell it all out. We should continue to spell it all out, however; and for those of us who are compelled by the rhetoric of activist librarianship and its values and ideals, it is our responsibility to make those connections clear in the work and research we do. More importantly, I hope to internalize these values and concerns, to absorb them fully into who I am and how I think and approach the profession….and that transformation starts within.

Peace, all.

Anticipating “Critical Library Instruction: Theories and Methods”

I’m going to try something I’ve never tried before: leaving a blog post short and sweet. Who knew?

Anyway, I was *so excited* that Library Juice Press will be releasing Critical Library Instruction: Theories and Methods, edited by Emily Drabinski, Alana Kumbier, and Maria Accardi, in Fall of 2009. Since the day I first picked up the orginal 1972 Revolting Librarians, edited by the late Celeste West–in additon to Elizabeth Katz and others–I have not been the same.  I was shocked that Revolting Librarians and its successor, Revolting Librarians Redux, were not required reading while I was in library school.  The core values of civic mindedness and social responsibility are what drew me to librarinaship in the first place and are inextricably linked to the work of the librarian. I see that now. Subsequently, I’ve been thinking about how I can incorporate these values of critical librarianship into all of the work I do as a librarian. As an Instructional Services Librarian for Undergraduate Students, I would consider myself a librarian-teacher and have recently considered how I can approach instruction from this critical/progressive perspective.  I am thankful that the editors and Library Juice Press are putting this book out there. Many thanks!