TILT # 29 — the meaning of library-as-sanctuary
Public libraries across the United States are safe havens
I know it’s designed for maximum “Awww” appeal, but this is the sort of public engagement I was hoping Dr. Carla Hayden would be doing. Little girls like Daliyah Marie Arana should see themselves in the Library of Congress, sitting behind a big desk, among other places.
In other Library of Congress news, outgoing Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante has found a new job as head of the American Association of Publishers. Meanwhile experts consider what the important considerations are for the incoming Register of Copyrights, and by extension, the Library of Congress.
A lot has been written about openly racist and misogynistic Milo Yiannopoulos’s book deal and large advance from publisher Simon & Schuster. Even the negative articles suggesting boycotts or other repercussions can’t seem to avoid leading with a striking photo of the man (I can). He’s media catnip.
Librarians have had many thoughtful discussions about how to respond to a likely-to-be-popular title by someone who ALA OIF (who does a great weekly wrap-up) called “one of the most deliberately infuriating folks on the planet.” Private queries to other editors at S&S indicate some dissatisfaction within the ranks, but nothing has been said publicly. Two articles worth your time:
- Free Speech Groups Release Statement in Support of Publisher of Milo Yiannopoulos’ Book — a statement by many of the same people who sponsor Banned Books Week, though ALA is absent.
- Publishing During Wartime from Dennis Johnson who you may know because he maintains the terrific Moby Lives blog. A very pointed and personal article.
Calling a “staffless library” program Open Library sort of rankles me. At the same time, Open Library doesn’t have any public facing staff, so…
At the risk of this newsletter just becoming “stuff I tweeted about” I do want to mention these “stickers” created by Aaron and Amanda at Influx, a library user experience consultancy. Have an iPhone? Use Messages? Want to send someone a microfilm machine or a book truck? Now you can.
Cambridge (MA) Public Library has come out with a great, well-footnoted statement about their embracing of Cambridge’s Sanctuary City status. It’s a lovely document to read.
We have pulled together resources and programs that reflect our values as an institution. Our expert librarians have created guides to immigration and refugee resources, detecting fake media news and a top 10 list of books that will challenge perspectives. We will also join with community partners to present programs on civics, a diverse America, anticipated federal policy changes, journalism and news media and other current topics that have arisen since the election, so watch this space.
This is likely my last newsletter before the Inauguration. I have many local friends going to the Women’s March. I have other friends intersecting with #DISRUPTJ20. I hope to be spending the day quietly at a library, thinking about what comes next.
Today in Librarian Tabs is written irregularly by Jessamyn West who also maintains librarian.net. It’s also available in your inbox via TinyLetter. Thanks for reading.
