A Holistic Approach for Inclusive Librarianship: Decentering Whiteness in Our Profession

Abstract

This paper traces the published literature on whiteness in libraries, identifying major themes in that literature, and then highlights the importance of decentering whiteness for moving the information professions forward. Engaging a dialogic ethnographic methodology, this paper was borne of conversations between librarians of color who worked in the same predominantly white library. The salient themes from those dialogues were the many ways that adherence to whiteness in libraries has had deleterious affective and career implications for librarians of color. The authors argue that to decenter whiteness in libraries and other information centers, it is crucial to center the experiences and well-being of librarians of color; diversify the ranks of librarians through bold initiatives, significantly increasing the numbers of librarians of color; and make large-scale incisive structural change at organizational levels. The paper concludes with an invitation for all information professionals to participate in inclusiveness initiatives by moving from microaggressions to microaffections.

Brick Walls and Tick Boxes

“…This paper utilises a combination of autoethnography and qualitative data gathered through an anonymous survey answered by 97 respondents. We chose to centre personal experiences in this paper after being influenced by other research which has utilised similar methodologies in librarianship (Espinal et al, 2018;Neal, 1996;Hollich, 2020;Oud, 2018 andSchomberg, 2018;Pionke, 2019). Similarly to Brown and Sheidlower's (2019) study of disabled librarians, we also used our work and experiences to connect with others within the sector who shared similar experiences and concerns.…”

“…Neal (1996) notes that librarianship has generated a larger amount of research about people of colour in the profession. Library workers and researchers of colour have explored the impact of whiteness in the library profession (Espinal, 2001;Espinal et. al, 2018;Neal, 1996;Schlesselman-Tarango, 2016 andRamirez, 2015;Galvan, 2015;Connolly, 2016;Lewis, 2018;Brook et al, 2015).…”

Against Whitewashing

“…Professional spaces within the information sector have been described as uncomfortable spaces for people of colour-these include conferences (as in the below example), but also workplaces, sector networks, and education spaces (Espinal, 2001;Espinal et al, 2018;Neal, 1996;Ramirez, 2015;Schlesselman-Tarango, 2017;Thethi, 2018). In the context of conferences, Jass Thethi (2018) has highlighted how the language of diversity can be alienating, draining, and othering to people of colour within the profession, If this presentation were aimed at me the speaker would not use words like "Ne[gr]o" and "Coloured".…”

Leadership Development for Academic Librarians: Maintaining the Status Quo?

“…Racism is seen as a "given," the way things are, and this can discourage action or make reasonable action feel ineffective. The ordinariness of racism can be seen in the universalism of whiteness present within librarianship as discussed by Espinal (2001) and the normativity of whiteness presented by Honma (2005).…”