Librarians are not okay + what you can do to help

[elvenjaneite]

As we reach the end of 2022, I thought it might be helpful to give an overview of what libraries are facing right now and some ways for individuals to help out. As you might be able to guess, this is not cheerful or light reading; take care of yourselves <3

The state of things

I’ve worked in public libraries as an assistant, librarian, and now supervisor for over 11 years total. 2020-2022 have been the hardest years I’ve ever known on a professional level. We’ve now weathered COVID shutdowns, various approaches to returning to work, pivoting to virtual programs, pivoting away from virtual programs, rethinking in-person programs, staffing shortages, low morale, staffing shortages, funding cuts, staffing shortages, and more.

2022 has been a whole new beast. Why? Libraries across the US are facing increasingly determined and organized attacks over materials and programs. Book challenges and attempted censorship are nothing new, but the intensity and scale are. Here are some stories to give you a sense:

• The Hamilton East Public Library in Indiana has faced a hostile takeover of its library board

• The Jonesboro Public Library has had their funding cut in half

• A library in Iowa closed after staff were harassed

• Missouri, Indiana, Texas, and other states have proposed sweeping laws that ban public libraries from purchasing items “inappropriate” for minors and opening librarians to personal felony charges for failing to comply

• Kirk Cameron is pushing libraries to accept his program full of “biblical values” and Fox News is playing along

These are only the ones I’m personally aware of.

Librarians are not okay.

I struggle to convey how disheartening it is to see this nationwide trend. People are leaving the profession and retiring early. Those who stay are facing the potential for harassment and attacks on both a personal and professional level. To be frank, I wonder almost daily if this will be the day it hits us. The mental and emotional toll this constant worry takes on everyone is exhausting all on its own.

Children’s librarians are at the forefront of this fight.

Children’s librarians are also often not given adequate institutional or systemic support.

In my state, the state children’s consultant has organized multiple trainings and roundtables for staff, especially managers and directors. My library has developed training for frontline staff so they hopefully feel prepared and supported in case a member of the public complains to them. (And by “my library,” I mean me.)

I know this is pretty bleak, and that’s because it is pretty bleak right now. Having said that, I want to give some tools to recognize the language used in these scenarios and some ways you can personally push back.

What it looks like

Here are some key phrases to look for:

• Libraries are peddling pornography

• Libraries promote explicit materials for minors

• Libraries promote inappropriate materials for minors (especially with no definition of inappropriate)

• Libraries promote woke values

• We need to keep children safe

• We need to keep children safe from predators

Most of these phrases seem very reasonable. We should all want to keep children safe! However, people who are part of this group tend to use coded phrases in the same way as they use racist dogwhistles. Their audience knows what they mean; other people see it as an innocuous phrase and agree; they gain more support. Rinse and repeat.

When used in this context, the unspoken addendum is that “safe” = away from LGBTQIA people, anything that challenges white supremacy, anything that challenges a far-right worldview.

Another point to watch out for is the conflation of all ages under 18. YA literature is very different than middle grade literature, and both are very different again from board books and picture books. Non-fiction gets especially murky, because it’s for such a wide range of ages. If you’re not sure, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and the publisher’s website are all good places to look for the official age range.

Why it’s an issue

Here’s the basic stance of library services for children: parents & primary caregivers have the right to determine what their children are or are not allowed to read. Parents & primary caregivers do not have the right to determine what all children are or are not allowed to read. Libraries, especially public libraries*, do not take a parent’s place in determining what children are or are not allowed to read.

* I realize this gets thornier with school libraries

That means that yes, if a middle schooler wants to know about depression or divorce, my job is to--without judgment--help them find age appropriate resources. If they want to find a new church, I would again provide them with resources. The key point is that we provide information and information resources. We are not teachers or parents and that is not and should not be our role.

At the same time, many of the people who are arguing in bad faith don’t have a good handle on what is and is not age appropriate (I think intentionally, but ymmv). The argument seems to be that anyone under 18 should have no information on sexuality, racism, mental health, and other tough topics. But again: a 17-year-old is in a very different stage of life than a 5-year-old, and there are appropriate ways to discuss these topics with both ages.

I’m not going to go into all of the statistics about LGBTQIA teens and mental health / homelessness / suicide rates. They’re out there. I believe firmly that libraries are for everyone and should not be neutral, and when we can provide support for a child who needs it, I absolutely believe that we should. We meet people where they are and give them the best resources and information we can. If we don’t do that, why are we here?

What you can do

Okay, deep breath. That’s the background. So now, what can you do? Here are some ideas! No one should have to do all of them, but I've tried to provide enough ideas that everyone can do at least one.

Funding

Anti-library activists are very smartly attacking our funding sources. Keep an eye out for local and state bills that would remove funding for libraries and library services.

Public libraries rely on a mixture of federal, state, and local funding, but some libraries are dependent on a city or town council. Find out how your library is funded and keep an eye on any resolutions that might shift control to an entity outside of the library itself.

Most libraries have a non-profit organization that supports programming, usually called a Friends of the Library or something similar. Donating to them helps us fund programs even if our tax rates or other official government sources are cut.

Volunteering

Depending on how your library is set up, you may be able to run for the library board. In my area, library boards are appointed, so this isn’t an option, but depending on your situation, use any influence you have with appointing bodies to support good library board candidates.

Even if you can’t run for the library board, board meetings should be (by law) free and open to the public. That means you can attend, and even offer public comment in most cases!

You can also volunteer with the Friends of the Library organization! In my experience, they’re constantly in search of volunteers.

Speak up

Multiple states have introduced statewide bills that would punish both libraries and individual librarians for doing our jobs and buying books for kids. In my state, this bill has been proposed for years, but has never made it out of committee. This year it did. Keep an eye on the state legislature and contact your state legislators to voice your opinion.

If you’re aware of an issue within your area, contact the library board to voice support for staff and policies. Many board members have little to no training in library ethics and norms, and in some cases are actively opposed to them.

Write letters to the editor, post on social media, talk to your neighbor. Use your social networks and encourage others to voice their support too.

Vocational awe is also a real factor throughout the library world and when we’re facing challenges like the last few years, it’s very tempting to spread ourselves thin and feel like only our sacrifice can save the day. What we need is systemic change and community support. Any way that you can see to strengthen that will help.

Personal Support

This gets missed sometimes, but when we’re discouraged and scared, it can mean the absolute world to hear that we helped someone. Many of us get into librarianship because we want to make the world a slightly better place and often we don’t ever hear if / how it has. Write a letter, stop by your local library, share on social media, whatever works best for you.

Also, if you have friends who are librarians, especially school and public librarians, especially those who work with kids…we’re not okay. Reaching out to check in, sending supportive messages, anything that recognizes our reality & shows your support will be deeply appreciated. I promise.

____

If you’ve read all of this, thank you <3 This is my personal opinion and others from different backgrounds may have other perspectives. If you have experiences or suggestions you’d like to share, I’m leaving the comments open for now.

Comments

[onetravelsfar]

So many parallels with the teachers and schools here. It’s so depressing. I am taking a break from teaching to raise my infant but with my career being actively sabotaged by right wing politicians I don’t know if I can bear the thought of going back even though I love doing it. The gun violence issue also keeps me away.

Libraries are essential to communities and I’m so sorry you’re going through this. We love our library so much and are so grateful for the services it provides. Thank you for taking the time to write this. I will keep your tips in mind! You are important, libraries are important. Stay strong and know that the majority support you!

[elvenjaneite]

Oof. Yeah. It's a rough time for a lot of people!

Thank you <3

[stultiloquentia]

Thanks for writing this up. I've seen the news, and listened to local librarian friends, but it's a really well-written overview. I will help as I can. You and people like you are much needed and much appreciated. Wishing you love and support and strength to fight and time to rest.

[elvenjaneite]

Thank you! <3

[katharhino]

I really appreciate that you took the time to write this out and educate us. I’ve always voted for more library funding when given the opportunity. I’m going to keep in mind acknowledging and thanking our librarians. Libraries are wonderful and beautiful and I’m sad that this is so stressful and awful for people who do this work.