Thank you, Journey, for stating this so eloquently and passionately. It is not just our patrons that this mindset effects, but library staff as well. While I have always felt welcome in my library, this thread serves to highlight that this is not universal in libraries across the State of Michigan. My existence is not political. This is a human rights issue, not a political debate. AJ Wyatt-Greene They/She Family and School Services Librarian Dearborn Heights City Libraries On 2021-08-05 10:19, Journey Robinson via Michlib-l wrote:
I would just like to point out that not only are our patrons a diverse population, but librarians and staff who work in our institutions are as well. When someone on this listserv claims that addressing systemic issues such as (but not limited to) unfair treatment based on race, gender, and sexuality is politically motivated, "marxist," and doesn't belong in libraries, you're sending a direct message to anyone who faces these issues and works in the library world that _they do not belong as well_. And you're saying that on a list for library staff across the entire state. This is damaging to the library institutions across the entire state, not just your personal library where you believe, rightfully or not, "nobody like that" works or lives there.
Libraries must be for everyone. Including the people whose identities have been forcefully politicised, marginalized, and ignored.
Journey Robinson They/Them [13] Youth Services Librarian Commerce Township Community Library Phone: 248-669-8108 Ext. 112
On Thu, Aug 5, 2021 at 10:11 AM Amber Alexander via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
This tread is becoming volatile.
And please keep your white comments to yourself. You can’t judge people by their color anymore. There are black parents with white children. There mixed race human beings who look white but come from many different backgrounds. Saying someone is white is inherent racism.
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 5, 2021, at 10:02 AM, Barr, Karen S via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
This thread is starting to look like Facebook. Can we put an end to this discussion here, please?
Karen Barr Learning Resource Technician Oakland Community College
-------------------------
From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> on behalf of Melissa Armstrong via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> Sent: Thursday, August 5, 2021 9:29 AM To: Jocelyn Levin <jlevin@ltpl.org>; michlib-l@mcls.org <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] ICYMI: New equity and social justice principle added to ALA Code of Ethics
I’m going to take a big guess here. I would bet the people who are opposed to the new 9th ethic are white.
Melissa Armstrong
Assistant Director
Caro Area District Library
From: Michlib-l <michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org> On Behalf Of Jocelyn Levin via Michlib-l Sent: Wednesday, August 4, 2021 3:44 PM To: Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] ICYMI: New equity and social justice principle added to ALA Code of Ethics
I'm proud to work in a library where all visitors are welcome and where we make our best effort to provide the services needed to all. I agree wholeheartedly with Kristin, Cindi, Jessica, Kristen, Amber, Suzy, James, Jake, and Meagan. Thank goodness there are libraries all across our wonderful state where we loudly and proudly celebrate diversity and inclusion by confronting the inequity and oppression that has and continues to exist in our world!
Libraries are the best!
Jocelyn
PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS
Jocelyn Levin, MLIS
Youth Services Librarian
jlevin@ltpl.org
Lyon Township Public Library
27005 S. Milford Rd, South Lyon, MI 48178
248.437.8800
www.LTPL.org [1]
On Wed, Aug 4, 2021 at 2:55 PM bellairelibrary--- via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
For those interested, here is a really good article from Education Weekly about Critical Race Theory:
https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-is-critical-race-theory-and-why-is-it...
[2]
We should all be educated!
---
Cindi L. Place, MLIS Director, Bellaire Public Library bellairelibrary@torchlake.com 231-533-8814
On 2021-08-04 14:20, Bill Wines via Michlib-l wrote:
I think I know what Marxism is, generally. I have no idea what critical race theory is. Did these have something to do with Dr. Seuss and Mr. Potato Head being cancelled? /s
On Wed, Aug 4, 2021 at 2:04 PM Amber Hughey via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Fortunately, Karen, many of us do NOT agree with your far-right ideologies. We are not being forced into this. We are not being uncourageous because of what we believe in.
We believe that libraries are a place of inclusion and diversity, and that unfortunately, work is needed to ensure that those are a cornerstone of being a public library. It should not be a leftist ideal to want to eradicate racism in our communities and libraries, and it should not be a leftist ideal to believe that libraries are a place of inclusion and diversity.
I've seen your facebook page and the 'ideals' you spout. And in that, I am very grateful you don't work in my local public library.
Amber L Hughey, MLIS
She/Hers
Director
Bridgeport Public Library zv041
3399 Williamson
Saginaw MI 48601
989-777-6030 ext 4
On 08/03/2021 2:12 PM Karyn Ruley via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Hello,
I would like to remind everyone that the ALA has no authority over any
library whatsoever. Just because they are moving to make libraries places of
leftist activism, pushing ideologies stemming from Marxism and critical race
theory, does not mean you have to as well.
Start speaking up and having more courage about this. The parents in schools
can do it. Where do you think the kids go AFTER school?
Karyn Ruley
Technology Administrator
Crawford County Library
201 Plum St.
Grayling, MI
49738
Phone: 989-348-9214 ext.205
Fax: 989-348-9294
----------------------------------
Message: 10
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2021 09:28:09 -0400
From: Kristin Fontichiaro <font@umich.edu>
To: michlib-l@mcls.org
Subject: [Michlib-l] ICYMI: New equity and social justice principle
added to ALA Code of Ethics
Message-ID:
<CAFaG-7xW68=EGY-Sa2z3xMs1wy+sGTn9Dt2nY1ZwJ6+5fGQkKw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hi, all --
Announced a few days ago
<https://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2021/07/ala-adopts-new-code-ethics-prin...
[3]>,
ALA has added a 9th principle to the ALA Code of Ethics
<https://www.ala.org/tools/ethics [4]>, reading:
We affirm the inherent dignity and rights of every person. We work to
recognize and dismantle systemic and individual biases; to confront
inequity and oppression; to enhance diversity and inclusion; and to advance
racial and social justice in our libraries, communities, profession, and
associations through awareness, advocacy, education, collaboration,
services, and allocation of resources and spaces.
--
Kristin Fontichiaro
University of Michigan School of Information
4427 North Quad
105 S. State St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1285
734.647.3593
Blog <http://fontichiaro.com/activelearning [5]> | Book an Appointment (school
year only)
<https://www.google.com/calendar/selfsched?sstoken=UUFHX1E5cXRtYUVQfGRlZmF1bH...
[6]>
*Projects:*
Michigan Makers <http://michiganmakers.si.umich.edu [7]> | Making in Michigan
Libraries <http://makinglibraries.si.umich.edu [8]>
Data Literacy in High School <http://dataliteracy.si.umich.edu [9]> | Public
Library Management MOOC
<http://ai.umich.edu/portfolio/public-library-management/ [10]>