Starting with I: Combating Anti-Blackness in Libraries

Abstract

When millions saw footage of George Floyd's murder by police during the COVID-19 pandemic where marginalized groups had higher death rates, increased awareness and action arose because Black people are treated differently in the United States. Many libraries subsequently created statements and committees to commit to reduce inequities in libraries; however, Black bodies are still being harmed. Therefore, this editorial details the Start and End with I concept and provides concrete steps for making change. It is time to center the voices that have been dismissed and ignored for too long. Are you willing to do what it takes? ARTICLE HISTORY

Using Popular Culture Resources to Build Affective Leadership Skills

“…Self-education, in and of itself, is not enough. As Ossom-Williamson, et al (2020) warn, "Inaction allows continued persecution, and self-growth becomes a mechanism through which inequality can continue" (p. 7).…”

The management of public libraries during COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic literature review through PRISMA method

“…A wide range of fascinating roles for the PL is suggested in the literature for the post-COVID-19 era: PL as vital community hubs (Guernsey et al, 2021), "steady ships" (Garner et al, 2021), cultural exchange centers, attractive recreation areas, "edu-tourism centers" (Reindrawati et al, 2021), centers of educational justice and societal participation (Thiele and Klagge, 2021), "places to be," with an active role within social contexts (Solis and Kear, 2020) etc. Libraries are called to guarantee users' essential rights, such as health, education and authoritative information (Tammaro, 2021).Overall, Public Libraries are, once again, called to promote collective actions towards inclusion and impartiality (Ossom-Williamson et al, 2021). Massey et al (2020) suggests that Public Libraries around the world offer free to all valuable services; while sharing the above perspectives for an interconnected community.…”

¡Presente!: Affirming Latinx voices within health sciences library scholarship

“…In reflecting on these statistics, the fact is that Whiteness in LIS has always been and is still a fact of library life and can give the impression that librarianship is paralyzed by Whiteness [ 6 ]. The medical library profession's role in Whiteness, power, and privilege is marked by its own history of racism as well as its recent harmful mishandling of an editorial submitted by Black health sciences librarians that addresses anti-Blackness in publishing [ 7 – 10 ]. This is a prime example of why Latinx and BIPOC librarians often choose not to engage with scholarship for genuine concern of the trauma that comes with not understanding our lived experiences, perspectives, language, and critical frameworks in a White-dominated scholarly landscape.…”