<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
</head>
<body>
<div>
Good morning Steve-
</div>
<div class="default-style">
Excellently said!!
</div>
<div class="default-style">
So glad that The Library Network will be having seminars on equality. It sure sounds as if it should be required for all!
</div>
<div class="default-style">
<br>
</div>
<div class="default-style">
Lori Rinaldi
</div>
<div class="default-style">
Programming Manager
</div>
<div class="default-style">
West Branch District Library
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div>
On 08/09/2021 10:26 AM Steven K. Bowers via Michlib-l <<a href="mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org">michlib-l@mcls.org</a>> wrote:
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
Kelsey,
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
Thank you for posting your thoughts and encouraging the group to engage in conversation rather than making any personal attacks on individuals or groups.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
The addition of the 9th principle is important to me because it is explicit in identifying that there is work to be done by libraries. It is important to be explicit specifically because not everyone thinks it is important and, as this discussion shows, some feel it should not be part of our work. It is explicit so that it is understood that even if individuals among us (perhaps even a majority) have not experienced a lack of dignity, or rights, or biases, or oppression, some individuals have had a less favorable experience, even at our libraries. If we do not take actions to address inequity in our domain then we are contributing to inequality in society as a whole.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
Explicitly doing social and racial justice work to include the marginalized does not distract or take away from our work to have services for everyone. It does, however, send an explicit message to the marginalized that our services are for them, that they are included, that libraries should support diversity, and that we are working on providing services that bring about equity. The code of ethics calls for equity, not equality. Equality would be to treat everyone the same whereas equity means to take action to bring about equality since there are demonstrable inequalities historically and in reality today.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
Laws make many groups, but not all, equal; equality by law does not necessarily bring about equity of access, resources, and services. Yes, there are a lot of nice people in libraries and in our communities but having nice library personnel does not bring about change in equitable services. The 9th principle is explicitly stating that although the other principles in the code of ethics call for equity we have to actively work to make changes that make equity a reality. Good, nice people at libraries are starting to incorporate processes, policies, and programs in their organizations so that we can work on including everyone because stating that libraries treat everyone equally is not enough.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
The Library Network is working on making demonstrable changes to help our libraries take actions to incorporate principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are doing the same, internally at our cooperative offices. We have scheduled sessions this past year and have more coming up to have discussions and workshops to help bring understanding and awareness. Further sessions will help us to begin work to self-assess and start to identify how we can make changes. Our forthcoming workshop series is meant to help us identify individuals who will help us form a team to champion this ongoing work as we move forward.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
Sincerely,
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
-Steve
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
Steven K. Bowers
</div>
<div>
Executive Director
</div>
<div>
The Library Network
</div>
<div>
(248) 536-3100 x107
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
----- Original Message -----
</div>
<div>
From: "<a href="mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org">michlib-l@mcls.org</a>" <<a href="mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org">michlib-l@mcls.org</a>>
</div>
<div>
To: "<a href="mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org">michlib-l@mcls.org</a>" <<a href="mailto:michlib-l@mcls.org">michlib-l@mcls.org</a>>
</div>
<div>
Sent: Friday, August 6, 2021 3:17:23 PM
</div>
<div>
Subject: Re: [Michlib-l] New equity and social justice principle added to ALA Code of Ethics
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
Hello,
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
I'd like to just throw my two cents in because I've been following this
</div>
<div>
thread with great interest.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
I tend to agree with our colleagues Karyn, Matt, Jennifer, and Kat on the
</div>
<div>
addition of the ninth tenet in the ALA code of ethics. In particular, I
</div>
<div>
agree with Matt that the tone of the last sentence of the new addition is
</div>
<div>
vastly different than the the previous eight. It implies the need for
</div>
<div>
certain types of activism in the workplace that directly impacts carrying
</div>
<div>
out many of the other tenets. Particularly, tenet six refers to avoiding
</div>
<div>
the advancement of private interests at the expense of library users and
</div>
<div>
colleagues. I understand that some people believe in the type of activism
</div>
<div>
inferred in the new ethic. However, this may not be the case for all
</div>
<div>
employees or all library users. I like the simplicity of the previous
</div>
<div>
codes so that any and all viewpoints can be expressed by staff and users
</div>
<div>
alike.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
What's more, the first sentence, to my mind, is redundant. The first,
</div>
<div>
third, fifth tenets directly reference providing unbiased and respectful
</div>
<div>
service to all library users and colleagues - which I would argue
</div>
<div>
inherently affirms a person's dignity and rights.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
This is why I believe the ninth tenet is rendered unnecessary. I can't
</div>
<div>
speak to the history of the established code of ethics of the ALA and
</div>
<div>
whether or not we have adhered to them as an industry with the honesty and
</div>
<div>
respect claimed, but I think the first eight tenets listed in the ALA code
</div>
<div>
of ethics are worthy of striving toward. Righting the wrongs of the past
</div>
<div>
require us to live up to the lofty goals we've set for ourselves rather
</div>
<div>
than create new language to speak directly to the issues of the current
</div>
<div>
day.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
I dislike the feeling of being misunderstood, and I think that is what has
</div>
<div>
compelled me to add to this thread. I can't speak for anyone but myself,
</div>
<div>
but I think generally that anyone who is against the addition to the ALA
</div>
<div>
code of ethics is not against equality, subliminally or blatantly. I think
</div>
<div>
we are against the notion that we need new language to complicate the
</div>
<div>
first eight tenets of the ALA code of ethics.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
Some of the less respectful comments in this thread are, I believe,
</div>
<div>
exactly why these sorts of threads materialize and why people feel they
</div>
<div>
need to make strong public declarations as opposed to have reasonable and
</div>
<div>
malleable discussions. I'd love to have the discussion though. I'd really
</div>
<div>
love to hear from those who like the new addition. Would you share
</div>
<div>
practices that you have implemented or plan to implement in order to
</div>
<div>
support the ninth code? I understand the ALA cannot do so, but perhaps
</div>
<div>
getting a sense of what this code would look like in practice might help
</div>
<div>
me to better understand or even change my mind.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
I'd like to add that I have yet to work with anyone who does not treat
</div>
<div>
people with kindness and respect. I have yet to meet a fellow colleague
</div>
<div>
outside of our little library who does not do the same. I rarely meet
</div>
<div>
patrons who do not also strive to treat staff and fellow patrons with
</div>
<div>
respect as well. With that said, I am not trying to imply that there is
</div>
<div>
never room for improvement or that just because something hasn't happened
</div>
<div>
to me or in front of me that it doesn't happen.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
I'd like to end just by saying that, regardless of whether we agree or not
</div>
<div>
on the issues brought up in this thread, I think discussion is healthy and
</div>
<div>
my assumption, until proven wrong, is that the people I work alongside in
</div>
<div>
this industry are professionals who care deeply about the communities they
</div>
<div>
serve. And I have yet to be proven wrong.
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
Thanks so much and have a great weekend,
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
Kelsey Boldt
</div>
<div>
Assistant Librarian
</div>
<div>
Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library
</div>
<div>
317 N. Main St.
</div>
<div>
Ishpeming, MI 49849
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
_______________________________________________
</div>
<div>
Michlib-l mailing list
</div>
<div>
<a href="mailto:Michlib-l@mcls.org">Michlib-l@mcls.org</a>
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__mail3.mcls.org_mailman_listinfo_michlib-2Dl&d=DwICAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=1EE0AJJXmcChMmY3NQmVorz8hJsAzpJPbIk7yFfP8C0&m=8_rnATZS3iDsEbm4X6ydluifGJmaeqFm0yc5IdiFCLk&s=Nb10kpQMf3641IHByMGnT_yffvsf0G345XsT4JomJqo&e=" rel="noopener" target="_blank">https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__mail3.mcls.org_mailman_listinfo_michlib-2Dl&d=DwICAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=1EE0AJJXmcChMmY3NQmVorz8hJsAzpJPbIk7yFfP8C0&m=8_rnATZS3iDsEbm4X6ydluifGJmaeqFm0yc5IdiFCLk&s=Nb10kpQMf3641IHByMGnT_yffvsf0G345XsT4JomJqo&e=</a>
</div>
<div>
<br>
</div>
<div>
_______________________________________________
</div>
<div>
Michlib-l mailing list
</div>
<div>
<a href="mailto:Michlib-l@mcls.org">Michlib-l@mcls.org</a>
</div>
<div>
<a href="https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l" rel="noopener" target="_blank">https://mail3.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/michlib-l</a>
</div>
</blockquote>
</body>
</html>