I, like other Americans, have been reflecting on the tragic and senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless black Americans before them, and trying to find the path forward as we face uncomfortable truths about ourselves and society.
Words of support or concern feel insufficient, but we cannot remain silent. We have important work to do, as individuals, organizations, and members of our communities, to acknowledge and address the structural racism and inequities that still plague our country.
As information professionals and students, we uphold ideals of inclusion, diversity and democracy, and have a responsibility to be a positive force in the movement for racial equality and justice. As journalist Soledad O’Brien said at the PLA 2020 Conference, “[Libraries] are great unifiers at a time when, frankly, we don’t have a lot of stuff we can point to that’s unifying.”
The resources below provide a starting point for examining these issues, initiating dialogue and taking action.
As an organization, GSAC is committed to creating an environment where all students feel welcome, represented and valued. We will work to develop and support programming that improves cultural awareness and provides space for reflection and dialogue. We, too, must do better. Together, let’s listen, learn, and discuss how to be a part of positive change.
Kent State University
- A Call to Action: Message from iSchool Director Kendra Albright (June 15, 2020)
- Amoaba Gooden, Ph.D: Diversity Of Protests Offers Renewed Commitment To Social Justice Advocacy (June 8, 2020)
- University, Student Leaders Reflect on Whether George Floyd Protests Will Spur Sustained Change (June 9, 2020)
- Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Student Multicultural Center
Library Organizations
- ACRL: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- ACRL: Keeping Up With… Implicit Bias (2018)
- ALA: Executive Board Stands with BCALA (June 1, 2020)
- ALA: Libraries Respond – Black Lives Matter (2020)
- ALA: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- The Black Caucus of the ALA: Statement Condemning Increased Violence and Racism Towards Black Americans and People of Color (June 1, 2020)
- Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association: APALA stands with BCALA and Black Lives Matter (June 1, 2020)
- Ohio Library Council: Libraries Stand Against Racism (June 3, 2020)
- PLA: Equity, Diversion, Inclusion and Social Justice
- REFORMA: Statement on Solidarity with BCALA (June 1, 2020)
- SAA: Statement on Black Lives and Archives (June 2, 2020)
- SLA: Statement Against Racism and Unequal Treatment (June 2, 2020)
- Urban Libraries Council: Statement on the Role of Libraries in Dismantling Systemic Racism (June 1, 2020)
- YALSA: Statement on Racial Injustice (June 8, 2020)
Resources
- GARE: Advancing Racial Equity in Public Libraries – Case Studies from the Field (2018)
- National Museum of African American History & Culture: Talking About Race
- Nicole Cooke (Augusta Baker Endowed Chair at the University of South Carolina): Anti-Racism Resources for All Ages
- Overdrive: Top Trending Anti-Racism and Social Justice eBooks (June 17, 2020)
- Simmons University: Anti-Oppression LibGuide
Training
- ALA Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS): Webinar Archives
- PLA: Understanding Power, Identity, and Oppression in the Public Library (2017)
- Project READY: Reimagining Equity & Access for Diverse Youth
- WebJunction/Legal Services Corporation: Improving Access to Civil Legal Justice through Public Libraries (2020)
Articles
- American Libraries blog: Reflections on Race and Racism (June 5, 2020)
- American Libraries: 2020 Midwinter Wrap-Up – Social justice and privacy issues dominated discussion (Feb. 6, 2020)
- Library Journal: Resources for Cultivating an Antiracist Mindset (June 18, 2020)
- Public Libraries Online: A Chorus of Voices Doing Important Work (May 27, 2020)
- Publisher’s Weekly: Reading Is Only a Step on the Path to Anti-Racism (June 19, 2020)
Projects
- Libraries’ Mapping Prejudice (University of Minnesota)
- Mapping Inequality (University of Richmond, Virginia Tech, University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University)
- Project Voice (Kent State University and University of Washington, including Kent State iSchool Assistant Professor Kathleen Campana and alumna/former GSAC officer Jacqueline Kociubuk)