Social Justice and Library Work

Social Justice and Library Work

Author: Stephen Bales

Publisher: Chandos Publishing

Published: 2017-10-18

Total Pages: 201

ISBN-13: 0081017588

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Although they may not have always been explicitly stated, library work has always had normative goals. Until recently, such goals have largely been abstract; they are things like knowledge creation, education, forwarding science, preserving history, supporting democracy, and safeguarding civilization. The modern spirit of social and cultural critique, however, has focused our attention on the concrete, material relationships that determine human potentiality and opportunity, and library workers are increasingly seeing the institution of the library, as well as library work, as embedded in a web of relations that extends beyond the library's traditional sphere of influence. In light of this critical consciousness, more and more library and information science professionals are coming to see themselves as change agents and front-line advocates of social justice issues. This book will serve as a guide for those library workers and related information professionals that disregard traditional ideas of "library neutrality" and static, idealized conceptions of Western culture. The book will work as an entry point for those just forming a consciousness oriented towards social justice work and will be also be of value to more experienced "transformative library workers" as an up-to-date supplement to their praxis. - Justifies the use of a variety of theoretical and practical resources for effecting positive change - Explores the role of the librarian as change agents


Practicing Social Justice in Libraries

Practicing Social Justice in Libraries

Author: Alyssa Brissett

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2022-09-30

Total Pages: 182

ISBN-13: 100062403X

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Practicing Social Justice in Libraries provides practical strategies, tools, and resources to library and information workers and students who wish to drive change in their classrooms, institutions, and communities and incorporate social justice into their everyday practice. With contributions from a diverse group of librarians, who have experience working in different types of institutions and roles, the book showcases the actions information professionals, largely from historically marginalized groups, are taking to create a more socially responsible environment for themselves and their communities. The chapters reflect on personal experiences, best practices for programming, professional development, effective collaboration, building inclusive community partnerships, anti-racist practices in the classroom, and organizational culture. Exploring how and why library workers are incorporating anti-racist and anti-oppressive work within their everyday roles, the book demonstrates that library workers are increasingly sending messages of protest and advocating for equity, justice, and social change. Highlighting their experiences of marginalization and exclusion, contributors also reflect upon the impact social justice work has on their mental health, careers, and personal lives. Practicing Social Justice in Libraries is essential reading for library and information workers and students who are searching for practical ways to implement more inclusive practices into their work


Public Libraries and Social Justice

Public Libraries and Social Justice

Author: John Pateman

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2016-04-15

Total Pages: 212

ISBN-13: 1317073630

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The need for public libraries to tackle social exclusion and engage in social justice becomes ever more urgent as the gap between rich and poor continues to widen, and the very survival of public libraries in the heart of the community is open to debate. If public libraries are to develop and grow in the future and become relevant to the majority of their local communities, then they need to abandon outmoded concepts of 'excellence' and fully grasp the 'equity' agenda. This book examines the historical background to social exclusion and the strategic context in terms of government and professional policy. The authors propose a compelling manifesto for change and outline practical ways in which public libraries can be transformed into needs-based services.


Literacy, Libraries and Learning

Literacy, Libraries and Learning

Author: Ray Doiron

Publisher: Pembroke Publishers Limited

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 1551381966

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The school library has changed dramatically. Today, it is a portal to a world of learning that includes traditional books, digital resources, and online environments. As the importance of information and communication technologies grows, teachers and teacher-librarians hold the key to creating powerful learning opportunities that help students function more effectively. This comprehensive guide discusses the changing responsibilities of classroom teachers and teacher-librarians in helping students become better readers, writers, and researchers. It offers suggestions for re-inventing the school library by offering a better and more current selection of resources, instilling students with the reading habit, and supporting them in these key areas:promoting reading for learning and pleasure;improving critical literacy skills when using information from many sources;encouraging research methods that respect copyright and lead to original work;designing information tasks to help students work effectively with data;developing better informational text structures that increase comprehension;encouraging the integration of emerging technologies and traditional resources. Literacy, Libraries, and Learning argues that using diverse learning resources can improve literacy achievement. It shows teachers and teacher-librarians how to turn their schools into first-rate learning environments and their students into lifelong learners.


Social Justice and Activism in Libraries

Social Justice and Activism in Libraries

Author: Su Epstein

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2019-04-11

Total Pages: 229

ISBN-13: 1476635102

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In a rapidly changing world with myriad conflicting voices, the library's role as a place of safety and inclusion and as a repository of knowledge cannot be overstated. Librarians must serve as community leaders with a mission to educate and inform, ready to model the principles they support. The question for many is: how? Experienced librarians offer ideas and guidance in seeking new creative paths, working to support change in library organizations and reexamining principles that may be taken for granted. Theoretical foundations are discussed, along with practical ideas such as the creation a book groups for the intellectually disabled and partnership with social workers or advocates for employees with disabilities.


Transformative Library and Information Work

Transformative Library and Information Work

Author: Stephen Bales

Publisher: Chandos Publishing

Published: 2020-03-13

Total Pages: 164

ISBN-13: 0081030126

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Intended to be an accessible guide to transformational information work, the book collects approximately thirty brief case studies of information related organizations, initiatives, and/or projects that focus on social justice related activities. Each case is a short narrative account of its particular subject's history, objectives, accomplishments, and challenges faced. It also describes the material realities involved in the subjects' day-to-day operation. Furthermore, cases include pertinent excerpts from interviews conducted with individuals directly involved with the information organization and will conclude with three-to-five bulleted takeaway points for information workers to consider when developing their own praxis - Present useful guidance on transformative library and information science - Gathers real-world case studies of library and information practice relating to social justice - Gives takeaway points for readers to quickly apply in their own situation - Provides inspiration for the development of progressive library and information practice - Considers radical library and information science at a high level, offering recommendations for the future


Social Justice Design and Implementation in Library and Information Science

Social Justice Design and Implementation in Library and Information Science

Author: Bharat Mehra

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2021-12-29

Total Pages: 301

ISBN-13: 1000528219

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Social Justice Design and Implementation in Library and Information Science presents a range of case studies that have successfully implemented social justice as a designed strategy to generate community-wide changes and social impact. Each chapter in the collection presents innovative practices that are strategized as intentional, deliberate, systematic, outcome-based, and impact-driven. They demonstrate effective examples of social justice design and implementation in LIS to generate meaningful outcomes across local, regional, national, and international settings. Including reflections on challenges and opportunities in academic, public, school, and special libraries, museums, archives, and other information-related settings, the contributions present forward-looking strategies that transcend historical and outdated notions of neutral stance and passive bystanders. Showcasing the intersections of LIS concepts and interdisciplinary theories with traditional and non-traditional methods of research and practice, the volume demonstrates how to further the social justice principles of fairness, justice, equity/equality, and empowerment of all people, including those on the margins of society. Social Justice Design and Implementation in Library and Information Science will be of great interest to LIS educators, scholars, students, information professionals, library practitioners, and all those interested in integrating social justice and inclusion advocacy into their information-related efforts to develop impact-driven, externally focused, and community-relevant outcomes.


Perspectives on Libraries as Institutions of Human Rights and Social Justice

Perspectives on Libraries as Institutions of Human Rights and Social Justice

Author: Paul T. Jaeger

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing

Published: 2016-03-07

Total Pages: 456

ISBN-13: 1786350572

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Edited by Ursula Gorham, Natalie Greene Taylor, and Paul T. Jaeger, Perspectives on Libraries as Institutions of Human Rights and Social Justice is an edited volume from the Advances in Librarianship book series devoted to the ideals, activities, and programs in libraries that protect human rights and promote social justice.


Transformative Library and Information Work

Transformative Library and Information Work

Author: Stephen Bales

Publisher: Chandos Publishing

Published: 2020-03-18

Total Pages: 162

ISBN-13: 0081030118

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Intended to be an accessible guide to transformational information work, the book collects approximately thirty brief case studies of information related organizations, initiatives, and/or projects that focus on social justice related activities. Each case is a short narrative account of its particular subject's history, objectives, accomplishments, and challenges faced. It also describes the material realities involved in the subjects' day-to-day operation. Furthermore, cases include pertinent excerpts from interviews conducted with individuals directly involved with the information organization and will conclude with three-to-five bulleted takeaway points for information workers to consider when developing their own praxis


Social Justice in Action

Social Justice in Action

Author: Neal A. Lester

Publisher: Modern Language Association

Published: 2024-11-08

Total Pages: 254

ISBN-13: 160329659X

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Addressing both veterans of justice work and novices seeking points of entry, the essays in this volume showcase practical approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion: ways to build community, earn trust, tell unheard stories, and develop solutions to problems. Emphasizing values such as empathy, self-reflection, and integrity, the volume is rooted in humanities work but also features contributions from fields as diverse as the performing arts, architecture, and evolutionary biology and represents settings beyond the college campus, such as schools, libraries, museums, and prisons. While bringing insights from higher education, it critiques the system as well, exploring the ways that institutions reinforce power structures and exclude marginalized voices. Interspersed with the essays, brief reflections by activists and artists offer testimony and inspiration.