This is a deep and fascinating topic to explore. Like the rest of the country, our profession struggles to find a means to communicate effectively about race, inequality and social justice. Case in point, this week. There is probably an additional layer of discussion for librarians loosely defined as “mission creep”. I believe some of the reaction might stem from this…? My own point of view (of course!): Over the years, I’ve read about libraries in the south that once regularly denied access to people of color, without batting an eye. I’m betting ALA’s code of ethics espoused the value of publicly shared information even while individual institutions were behaving reprehensibly, and contrary to those “codes”, whatever they were. It seems to me there is a bit of stridency in some of ALA’s language, developed over the last few years. Perhaps, as an organization that represents us in our current form as well as our past, it is making up for its (and our) previous sins. Interestingly, I was trying to find the 1939 code of ethics (I think this was the first), and came across a study done in the ‘90’s about current attitudes towards ALA’s code. The upshot is that the majority of librarians surveyed had no idea it existed. At least in Michigan, I think we’ve solved that problem! Here’s the study: https://www.lib.niu.edu/1995/il9503140.html On Thu, Aug 5, 2021 at 4:09 PM c.haines via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
If you're requiring someone to self-identify their language as hate speech in order to think it qualifies, then you're never going to find any. Most hate-based groups rely on couched language and dog whistles in order to present a veneer of civility over their activities in order to try and frame themselves as holding reasonable viewpoints. So no, I would imagine his rental agreement didn't have any mention of hate speech. You can bet, however, that he did, in fact, "stop someone else from using the library." Your community was watching, and it took note of how important it was to you that hatred and extremism have a place in your library. There are plenty of people who wouldn't feel welcome after that.
Connor Haines *(He/Him/His)*
Fowlerville District Library (734) 239-2043
On August 5, 2021 1:30 PM Kat Boyer via Michlib-l <michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
I disagree. But that is because I've actually been the victim of someone trying to bully me to silence someone they suspected might engage in hate speech at my library. I firmly believe in someone's right to free speech and their right to use the library space as long as they abide by library rules and do not stop someone else from using the library. We had someone (who is a very extreme person) rent our meeting room. His rental agreement had no mention of hate speech. I was harassed in-person, on Facebook, through email, and at Board meetings, for at least a month because I was allowing this man to rent our space. I even mentioned ALA's information that we can not deny use of the space to someone based on their views, beliefs, or what we think they might say. The harassment kept up, night, day, phone calls, Board pressure.
It honestly was about enough to make me look for another job.
On Thu, Aug 5, 2021, 1:20 PM Teresa Chase via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
Well said, Amber McLain.
I would also like to add, "tolerance must go both ways" is just a dog whistle to allow proponents of hate speech to say whatever they want in the name of their "personal beliefs." There is no place for that type of conduct in a public library system. To denounce said conduct is in no way "bullying people into silence." I strenuously object to that mischaracterization of what we are discussing.
On Thu, Aug 5, 2021 at 12:06 PM OJ Amber Mclain via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> wrote:
No, there is no "agenda." This ninth addition to the code of ethics falls directly in line with EDI guidelines already set forth by the ALA, supported by MLA, and library institutions across the country. The groups singled out in this point are historically marginalized, their history has been censored, and their intrinsic identities - who they are BORN AS - make them targets for hate and abuse. Their very identities have been discussed to death and who they are has been deemed as less than which is unacceptable. This is not viewpoints and opinions. This is not about beliefs. These are people. People that are out patrons. The aspect about conduct is to prevent them from hateful conduct. I would be happy to provide the supporting documentation and data for why this is important. I recently did that research for Lakeland:
Amber McLainLibrary Director, Patmos Library
----- Original Message ----- From: IL Jennifer Salgat via Michlib-l < michlib-l@mcls.org> To: mweston dowagiacdl.org < mweston@dowagiacdl.org> Cc: michlib-l@mcls.org Sent: Thu, 05 Aug 2021 08:34:40 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] New equity and social justice principle added to ALA Code of Ethics
I agree there seems to be an agenda to that last part. To truly be inclusive and diverse, we need to be willing to tolerate ALL opinions right? Even the 'far right' ideology that seems to be currently politically incorrect. Tolerance must go both ways, otherwise, we are also bullying people into silence.
From: "mweston dowagiacdl.org via Michlib-l" < michlib-l@mcls.org> To: michlib-l@mcls.org Sent: Wednesday, August 4, 2021 8:40:49 PM Subject: [Michlib-l] New equity and social justice principle added to ALA Code of Ethics
I'd like to support Karyn Ruley's concerns about ALA's most recent addition to their Code of Ethics. Reading through the first eight principles, and into the first sentence of the ninth, there is a sense of the universal and of the common humanity we share with ourselves and our patrons. "...all library users", "...each library user's rights", and "...the inherent dignity and rights of every person", changes dramatically in tone with "dismantle systemic and individual biases" and "advance racial and social justice".
Absolutely this is worthy of discussion, and this is the place for it.
Matt Weston, Library Director
Dowagiac District Library
211 Commercial St.
Dowagiac, MI 49047-1728
269-782-3826
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