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The Guilty Librarian: Grappling with Job-Related Guilt | Programming Librarian

Tue, 22 Dec 2020 01:35:06 GMT

splamy
Fri, 08 Jan 2021 20:38:33 GMT

This reminds me of other articles I have read about the toxic effects of white supremacy in our culture. The unnamed cause of all of this guilt is white supremacy - let's just go ahead and name it. I am white, and work in an organization steeped in whiteness, as I am sure many of this blog post's readers are. We can't escape the legacy of white supremacy. But we CAN recognize it, name it, call it out when we see it, work to dismantle its toxic effects, and continue to educate ourselves. Here's an article by Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun, from 2001, which will feel very familiar to readers of this post. In it, they lay out the characteristics of white supremacy culture, along with some antidotes. Please check it out, and continue to learn about what we, particularly library workers, can do to dismantle white supremacy. Thank you. https://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/white-supremacy-culture-characteristics.html

stitchy
Sat, 09 Jan 2021 02:08:58 GMT

Thank you! This is really what I needed to hear right now. I think if we can honor ourselves more by following your advice and being mindful about what you've mentioned here, we will see a ripple effect of positivity. Thank you, splamy, for the article you shared as well. What a time for reflection and more self-acceptance, which I think will lead to more acceptance of different cultural norms. Organizational culture shouldn't happen by accident, I think our attention to these things, and deliberate action is really critical.

gileslibrarian
Sat, 09 Jan 2021 14:34:21 GMT

Thank you. I have been feeling this way well before the pandemic hit and even more so since. I feel seen.

Mensamom
Sat, 09 Jan 2021 17:40:28 GMT

Chelsea, Thank you for more of your practical insights! I have been walking around with "209 Big Ideas" in my purse for ages, along with post-it flags, so that I can read while I am waiting for my oil change, or waiting for my groceries to be brought out to my car, or just waiting for life to return to "normal" (which seems like it will NEVER happen). While part of me is super-pumped about things I want to do when I can, part of me DOES feel guilty that I can't do everything I want to right now. I feel like I should be able to figure out a way to do this or that or the other thing over Zoom or on Facebook or our website, but there are days when just getting our little weekly newsletter ready to be emailed feels overwhelming. Please continue to share your journey and struggles with us. It reminds us all that we are not alone!

chelseaprice
Tue, 12 Jan 2021 01:06:52 GMT

Thank you all so much for your kind comments. It seems like this post has really resonated with many other librarians. Definitely helps me feel a little less alone :)

allthebooks
Thu, 14 Jan 2021 20:55:52 GMT

Thanks, Chelsea. Meanwhile, I found this article about the organization Showing Up For Racial Justice in HuffPost https://www.huffpost.com/entry/whites-only-surj-and-the-caucasian-invasion-of-racial_b_58dd5cf7e4b04ba4a5e25209

belvedia
Sat, 23 Jan 2021 20:10:35 GMT

As someone currently working in a library that is Doing Everything, I would like to apologize for the pressure this is putting on other libraries. Know that this is not the staff's choice, it tends to be administration who push push push. Do not follow our example! Stay closed if you can! We are burning out big time. Staff are either getting sick/having to quarantine, leaving for safer jobs (as I am), or in some cases dying. It's not worth the sacrifice. I'm thoroughly disappointed in how many leaders in public libraries are refusing to prioritize their staff and instead are chasing "essential service" labels and resiliency narratives.

Mensamom
Mon, 25 Jan 2021 15:22:16 GMT

@Belvedia, I am SO SORRY you find yourself in this position. I guess I am lucky. Our director says his first priority is for the safety and well-being of the staff, not the patrons. We ARE open for browsing, but we have LOTS of restrictions - mandatory masks, capacity limits, very little in-person programming, etc. If the patrons don't like the policies our director has put in place to protect staff, they do not have to come into the library. They can always do drive-up/curbside to get materials.