This series on unpacking white supremacy in academic libraries and archives is developed and offered by members of the Minnesota Library Association's Academic and Research Libraries Division (ARLD), the Instruction Round Table (IRT), and the Twin Cities Archives Round Table (TCART). As developers of this program, we recognize that we all identify as white, and in that capacity cannot represent all perspectives and concerns. Despite our best efforts to engage in this work with critical self-reflection and humility, it is likely some material presented here may still reflect our own implicit biases and racist assumptions. At the same time, we believe that the work needs to start somewhere, and requires us as white people to address the limits of our knowledge and understanding. In light of these limitations, we have prioritized BIPOC-authored readings. We know that these readings cannot speak for all the varied experiences of white supremacy in libraries and archives and that the intersectional nature of oppression makes this work complex and not “one-size fits all.” We hope this series will create space for each of us to examine the perspectives, systems, and structures we find in librarianship to bring awareness and real change.
To facilitate deep, critical reflection on white supremacy in academic libraries
To promote individual growth & participation in anti-racist work
To inspire action at the individual, institutional, and professional association level
This series explores the history and present-day manifestations of white supremacy in academic libraries with the goal of encouraging action on the individual, institutional, and professional levels to interrupt it and dismantle it. Anyone interested in this topic as it applies to academic libraries is encouraged to participate whether or not they are currently working at an academic institution.
Participants are strongly encouraged to attend all three sessions
Participants are expected to read and uphold the ground rules
Participants should engage in all breakout room sessions for small group discussion in addition to large group discussions
Participants are responsible for pre-reading work before each session and some post-session homework
Participants will leave with an action plan and be encouraged to return for a follow-up fourth session to be held a few months later.
We approach this discussion with honesty and are prepared to dig deep into where white supremacy shows up in ourselves and/or our institutions
We agree to keep all stories shared in strict confidence, and if we share takeaways from this series with others, we agree to only talk about our own experiences rather than what other people said or shared
We recognize that we all come to this discussion with different levels of experience and knowledge
We understand that productive discussions about race can be challenging, uncomfortable and require vulnerability
We will use “I” statements and avoid speaking for another or for an entire group
We will listen with curiosity and the willingness to learn and change, and resist the desire to interrupt
We will actively help each other avoid taking detours when confronting white supremacy
We will invite others to discuss or add to the ground rules at the beginning of each session
Session 1: History of White Supremacy in Academic Libraries, November 12, 2021, 11:00am-1:00pm
Session 2: Unpacking White Supremacy in Academic Libraries, December 10, 2021, 11:00am-1:00pm
Session 3: Interrupting White Supremacy with Anti-Racist Action, January 14, 2022, 11:00am-1:00pm