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Social Advocacy & Libraries

LS 501: Introduction to Library & Information

Studies

Revised Summer 2006, 2010, 2011

C. 2003, Deborah J. Grimes

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Do libraries have social responsibilities? The Berninghausen Debate (1972)

David Berginhausen -- Director, Library School, University of Minnesota

“Social Responsibility vs. The Library Bill of Rights” in Library Journal 118 (September 15, 1993) 51-54. (AVL)

Debate in ALA and the profession rose in the US from the turmoil and ferment of the 1960s-1970s

Re-emerges from time to time (most recently 1992-93)

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Berginhausen’s Premises There is a conflict between Library Bill of Rights emphasis on intellectual freedom and

social advocacy in libraries. The purpose of libraries and ALA is not to eradicate injustice in society, rid the world of

pollution, judge guilt or innocence, build a UN, etc. There are no subjects that are taboo in libraries and no points of view that are forbidden. Libraries should not address non-library problems (e.g., war, racism, pollution) Librarians’ social responsibility is to select library materials from all producers, to build

balanced collections representing all points of views on controversial issues. Librarians should be nonpartisan in all things regarding library services, resources,

staffing,programming, etc. ALA cannot withstand the pressures of conflicting views of librarians on social issues (and

cannot remain united on issues of intellectual freedom).

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Conflicting Views on Social Responsibilities of Libraries

General view is that libraries, librarians, and professional library organizations cannot exist separately from social issues; therefore, there are social responsibilities.

No library can be totally balanced and unbiased or totally inclusive (e.g., not all producers are equal ) and some subjects are taboo (e.g., child porn).

Libraries are molded by all non-library problems and are directly affected by social issues (e.g., war becomes a topic of interest and resources are drained from all public institutions during times of war).

What is always at issue in societies are opinions not facts. But it’s unreasonable to exclude opinions, when defined as bias, from library collections (e.g., Thomas Paine’s writings, state-of-the-union addresses, etc.).

ALA has survived and will continue to thrive on disagreement and is well-served by advocates for social responsibilities.

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How Do Libraries and Librarians Address Social Issues? Many in the field focus on the effects of social issues on libraries,

library services, library clientele, library collections, etc. Most strive for balance, freedom from bias, inclusion of multiple

viewpoints, and use professional judgment to choose between “worthy” ideas and publishers from those with no value.

There are numerous library organizations, subgroups,caucases, task forces, roundtables, committees, etc., focused on specific social issues -- some as part of ALA and some independent of ALA.

Many libraries offer outreach programs (library-initiated programs linked to education and recreation, to address community issues and promote solutions to community problems (e.g., multicultural activities, parenting classes, literacy programs, political forums).

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Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) Functions to “make ALA more democratic and to

establish progressive priorities” by promoting alternative publications, presenting awards, sponsoring programs, lobbying ALA, providing newsletters and discussion groups, etc.

Current SSRT Task Forces Coretta Scott King Award Task Force Environment Task Force Feminist Task Force Hunger, Homelessness, & Poverty Task Force International Responsibilities Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Task Force

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Library Services to Persons With Disabilities

Broad category (persons with disabilities) covers physical or mental impairment, HIV/AIDS, learning disabilities, age

Significant part of the US community -- over 50 M people (20%) have some form of disability

But any disability is but one component of the individual (hence the politically correct “persons with disabilities” rather than “disabled person”)

ADA defines disability: “(a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, (b) a record of such impairment, or (c) being regarded as having such an impairment”

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Library Services to Persons With Disabilities

“Invisible” disabilities (may not be obvious until you try to communicate) Speech disorders, dyslexia, hearing impairment,

mental disorders (e.g., depression, panic/anxiety) “Visible” disabilities

Visual impairments, developmental disorders (e.g., autism, mental retardation), mobility impairments (e.g., wheelchair users, people with walkers/canes)

Temporary disabilities Injury-related disabilities, physical illnesses

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Barriers to Library Services for Persons with Disabilities

Communication skills and personal feelings about disabilities

Architectural barriers (e.g., elevators, steps, tall shelves, counters, heavy doors, parking spaces [availability, distance from entrance], inclines and surfaces, braille instructional devices

Signage (for visually-impaired), large print Assistive devices -- closed captioned TV/video/DVD,

good lighting, magnification devices, smoke detectors with strobe alarms, headphones, audio books

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Library Services to Persons With Disabilities: Inclusion

Removal of architectural barriers and availability of adaptive devices (can be costly)

Staff training in communication and attitude Integrating library services and access points, regardless of

abilities Collection development policies that include varied formats

(e.g., talking and large print books) and disability-related (or illness-related) topics

Partnerships with agencies that provide specialized resources (such as Subregional Libraries, Focus on Senior Citizens)

Inclusive hiring policies and procedures (including volunteers)

Remember: People with disabilities are not just library users (but vendors, consultants, speakers, politicians, sales reps, library staff, board members, etc.).

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Library Services to Persons With Disabilities: Electronic Resources Electronic resources for persons with disabilities Section 508, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, requires federal

agencies to make adjustments to those with visual, audio, mobility, and cognitive impairments (including those prone to seizures); revised 1998 to specifically include electronic information technology -- may or may not apply to states

Disabilities to consider in site design: blindness or low vision, hearing disabilities, mobility impairments, cognitive impairments, seizure disorders

Usability v. graphic design on web sites World Wide Web Consortium Web Accessibility Initiative

(WAI) at http://www.w3c.org/WAI

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Libraries and Literacy: A Special Service Interest

Literacy is a core value of librarianship and one of 5 key action areas identified by ALA.

Office of Information Literacy and Outreach Services -- addresses special needs and special populations

Literacy is high priority issue considered an important component in national (community) welfare.

Partnerships with other educational, cultural, and governmental agencies

Includes children and YA, teens, adults, ESL, RIF, etc. Summer reading programs, classes for adult learners,

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Diversity: Libraries & Ethnic Minorities Diversity = one of five key action areas adopted by ALA to

promote equal access and high quality service American Indian Library Association (AILA) Asian Pacific American Library Association (APALA) Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) Chinese American Library Association (CALA) REFORMA (National Assoc. to Promote Services to Latinos and

the Spanish -Speaking) Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Roung Table

(EMIE-RT) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Round Table

GLSBT-RT)

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Diversity: Libraries & Ethnic Minorities

History of providing library services to immigrants Multilingualism (“linguistic plurality”) is a real concern of

public (esp. urban) libraries (could be 100s of languages, depending on the local culture)

Who is most qualified to service ethnic-minority communities? A member of the target ethnic-minority community? Someone how adheres rigidly to conventions and

standards? A librarian?

Other special populations -- disadvantaged children, latchkey children, teens, unwed mothers, etc.

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Libraries & the Poor & Homeless ALA’s “Poor People’s Policy”: ALA promotes equal

access to information for all persons and recognizes the urgent need to respond to the increasing number of poor children, adults, and families in America.

Traditional role of providing resources for self-education and self-improvement (“people’s university”)

Not just “poor” but disadvantaged due to job layoffs, etc. Do mission statements include all segments of the

population? Are there barriers to serving the poor and

disadvantaged? (fees, location, address requirements, illiteracy, internal policies and procedures, etc.)

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How Do Libraries Serve the Poor & Homeless?

Establish partnerships with other community agencies Literacy and language classes Information & referral to community services Train staff to be sensitive to issues affecting poor and

disadvantaged people (esp. respect and dignity) Collections and services in homeless shelters and

community service agencies “Mainstream” services and use regular library funding (not

just soft money) Sponsor public events to raise public awareness Email access for the poor and disadvantaged

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There’s trouble in River City : What Roles Do Libraries Play in Disasters?

Economic hard times Local disasters National disasters, war What resources, services, facilities serve the users

during such times?