Libraries as Safer Spaces

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The American Library Association (ALA) Council Approved the “Resolution on Libraries as Responsible Spaces” at the 2017 ALA Annual Conference. The fourth resolution “Directs the Committee on Diversity, with the support of the Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services and the ODLOS Advisory Committee, to develop, provide, and disseminate materials and programming for libraries that deter hate, foster community, and oppose bigotry toward or oppression against any group.” In this document, the goal is to have more insight into what a safer space is and what you can do to help your library be seen as a safer space in your community.

NOTE: This page was last updated on October 3, 2019.                                                                             

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TO BE COMPLETED BY SHAUNTEE AND RODNEY

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Brief introductions with some simple or short examples

• Programming

• Displays

• Reference services

• Instruction

• Cataloging -- using inclusive language

• Making sure classrooms are safer space

Considerations for different library types

• Public

• Academic

  • Chief Diversity Officer (go-to person, if available)

• School

• Special

• Other

Dealing with resistance

• Within the library

• With administration/governance groups

• With the community

 

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• Selection & Reconsideration Policy Toolkit for Public, School, & Academic Libraries, http://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport/selectionpolicytoolkit\

• ALA Toolkits: http://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/tools/toolkits

• ACRL Toolkits: http://www.ala.org/acrl/proftools/toolkits

• Programming Librarian: A website of the American Library Association Public Programs Office:http://www.programminglibrarian.org/programs

• Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network: https://www.glsen.org/article/libraries-safe-spaces

• American Libraries Magazine: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2012/12/11/libraries-as-safe-spaces/

• Public Libraries Online: http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/make-your-library-a-safe-space/

• IFLA:https://www.ifla.org/files/assets/hq/topics/libraries-development/documents/how_libraries_provide_safe_spaces_to_all_youth.pdf

• American Libraries Magazine: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blogs/the-scoop/safe-spaces-social-media/

• GLBTRT : http://www.ala.org/rt/glbtrt/tools/homeless-lgbtq-youth

• National Safe Place: https://www.nationalsafeplace.org/

• United Nations: https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/08/1016832

• Diversity Immersion Institute: http://diiumd.weebly.com/

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Developing this culture in the library (need to find examples for each suggestion if possible)

• Train staff via our strategic plan (including mission, values, and initiatives)

• Initial approaches - review of different models

• Ongoing training

• Bringing new people into the culture

• Adding diversity, inclusivity, fairness, social justice to evaluation criteria for library awards, performance evaluation

• Funding for staff participation in relevant outside events (conferences, etc.)

• Leadership modeling the behavior, attitudes, values we want to see.

• Staff participating in community efforts to help underprivileged children, children from oppressed communities develop good school habits and prepare them for professional careers (e.g., hosting high school interns, Big Brothers/Big Sisters)

• Getting Leadership on board (ex.: They are surface supportive, in terms of saying the "right" things and using appropriate language. But they are still afraid of seeming non-neutral)

Developing this culture in the profession (need to find examples for each suggestion if possible)

• Funding scholarships, diversity residencies, etc. that support our values

• Funding national initiatives that promote these values

• Putting leadership on national initiatives to promote our values in this regard (e.g., ARL IRDW Advisory, etc.)

Promoting Libraries as Safer Spaces to Community

• Who controls brand/messaging for the library (many survey respondents said promoting the library falls outside of their responsibilities (marketing, public relations, outreach, administration) or they are not in a position to make this the messaging)

• Messaging examples

• Finding community partners

• Many libraries reporting using Libraries are for Everyone materials

• Training staff (it's in culture as well)

Programming

• What to consider when planning

• Identifying community partners & outreach

• Common obstacles and how to remove them

• Budget

• Program Execution

Facilities

• Restrooms (terminology considerations: gender-neutral, unisex, all gender; single stall vs. multi-stall)

• Signage; what to include in specific signage that welcomes the community)

• Accessibility

• Designing community space

Policies

• Where to include information about safer spaces

• Sample statements

• Diversity Plan for the Library

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The American Library Association (ALA) Council Approved the “Resolution on Libraries as Responsible Spaces” at the 2017 ALA Annual Conference. The resolution was proposed by the Committee on Diversity and reads as follows:

2016–2017 ALA CD#44.2_62517_AC

2017 ALA Annual Conference

RESOLUTION ON LIBRARIES AS RESPONSIBLE SPACES

Whereas, responsible spaces are defined for the purpose of this resolution as environments in which all people are responsible to one another in advocating for safety in that space, and

Whereas, a study from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism has documented a 20% increase in hate crimes in 2016[1], and

Whereas, the ALA Offices for Intellectual Freedom and Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services (ODLOS) are now collecting statistics on hate crimes in libraries after a rise in the number of incidents in libraries[2], and

Whereas, Article V of the Library Bill of Rights states “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views, and

Therefore, let it be resolved that the American Library Association:

1.  Urges libraries to embrace the mantle of responsible spaces by adopting and enforcing user behavior policies that protect patrons and staff from harassment while maintaining our historic support for the freedom of speech.

2.   Encourages libraries to develop community partnership programs and promote services to underrepresented and unacknowledged community members.

3.  Encourages libraries to sponsor programs fostering meaningful and respectful dialogue in the community.

4.  Directs the Committee on Diversity, with the support of the Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services and the ODLOS Advisory Committee, to develop, provide, and disseminate materials and programming for libraries that deter hate, foster community, and oppose bigotry toward or oppression against any group.

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[1] California State University, San Bernardino: https://csbs.csusb.edu/hate-and-extremism-center;  http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u-s-hate-crimes-20-percent-2016-fueled-election-campaign-n733306

[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/08/us/libraries-hate-crimes.html

 

The fourth resolution “Directs the Committee on Diversity, with the support of the Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services and the ODLOS Advisory Committee, to develop, provide, and disseminate materials and programming for libraries that deter hate, foster community, and oppose bigotry toward or oppression against any group.”

In response to this, the Committee on Diversity developed a survey that was completed in January 2018. The results of this survey drive the content of this toolkit.

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