Students will practice principles of social and cultural justice in their preparation for careers in library and information environments.

The Non-Neutrality of Modern Libraries
LS501 - Information in Communities, Dr. Weddle (December 2022)

Podcast on Information Literacy
LS500: Information Science & Technology, Boulie (May 2023)

Having spent the last few years working in public libraries, I’ve learned more about the important role they play in our communities, especially when it comes to pursuits of equity and social justice. I’m also fortunate to live in a diverse community that my library reflects in materials, programming, and staff. The curriculum in the SLIS program here at the University of Alabama only enhanced this awareness, with a focus on social justice, inclusion, and community consciousness interwoven throughout the instruction.

In Dr. Weddle’s LS501: Information in Communities, I was introduced to the idea that libraries are not neutral spaces. I found this quite profound as my first inclination was that an institution like the library should be somewhat toneless in order to maintain a sense of support for all members of the community. I learned that while we, as library workers, see the value of contradicting views, we have a duty to our community to uphold social justice endeavors. The essay paper, The Non-Neutrality of Modern Libraries, showcases much of this thought and process.

The second piece chosen to support a mission of social justice is an intellectual freedom challenge. In Jen Gerber’s LS530: Public Libraries, I had the opportunity to research and address a “book banning” attempt head on. Even though there is a bit of role play on my part as potential director of a library, the example of this challenge is very real. With great feedback from Professor Gerber, I feel like I was able to acknowledge the patron’s challenge, research the validity of the claim, and make a firm, but respectful response. All while being true to the library’s sense of social justice.

For a third example of work that dives into cultural justice, I’ve presented here a podcast created for Patricia Boulie as part of LS500: Information Science and Technology. I called it The Circulation Desk, and the episode shown here is about information literacy. In the current socio-political world, it’s becoming more and more important to know the difference between misinformation and disinformation, along with how to think critically about where information comes from and what agenda they may have. Being that we’ve established that libraries are not neutral, I believe that these skills are paramount in the quest for social and cultural justice.