This post was authored by Future Librarians and Archivists for Palestine, a committee of Dominican University's Information Science Student Association.
The desire to remain neutral is often cited as a reason why libraries choose not to get involved in issues of politics or social justice. A common argument is that libraries are supposed to be politically neutral, so they distance themselves from anything that might cause controversy. However, when it comes to issues that are already rooted in an imbalance of power, silence for the sake of neutrality has the unfortunate side effect of affirming the side of the oppressor. It tells the side being oppressed that acknowledging their struggle and elevating their voices isn’t as important as maintaining the status quo—a status quo that is contingent on their continued oppression.
Rather than striving for neutrality by inaction, libraries and library professionals should strive for an active form of neutrality that ensures that all voices are amplified in equitable ways. We should develop our collections to reflect a balance of perspectives so that patrons and users have the opportunity to learn about the issues they are hearing about in the news and form their own informed opinions on these issues. We should uplift the voices of people who are being oppressed and give them the freedom to share their stories. We should make it clear, through our collections, displays, and signage, that all are welcome in our libraries.
When it comes to uplifting the people of Palestine and addressing the decades-long oppression and violence they have faced, there are many things that libraries can do. Many of these actions are an extension of things that libraries are already doing. Collection development librarians can make an effort to include books and materials by Palestinian authors. These books don’t have to be limited to just history or political commentary, instead extending to memoirs, fiction, poetry, and literature for children and young adults that highlight the struggles and pride of being Palestinian. Resources on Palestinian culture, such as cookbooks and embroidery books, can serve as powerful tools to humanize a population that is seldom shown to the broader world outside the context of war journalism.
Librarians and Archivists with Palestine has an extensive Readings and Resources list that includes information sources as well as reading recommendations for nonfiction, fiction, memoirs, poetry, and children’s books for all grade levels. The Palestinian American Research Center also has a great bibliography of books on various topics. Skyline College Library Palestine Research Guide is another great resource for reading recommendations and understanding the art, culture, and history of Palestine. The Palestine Program Toolkit features books and media recommendations as well as tips and ideas for library programming.
Cooking and crafting are already mainstays in library programming, so holding a class on Palestinian cooking or a workshop on Palestinian embroidery (recognized by UNESCO as an important intangible cultural heritage!) can provide opportunities for members of the community to learn about Palestinian culture, especially if the program is led by Palestinian members of the community. Libraries should also make sure that their policies are updated to include protections from harassment based on nationality, ethnicity, and religion, including religious garments like head coverings and veils, and enforce these policies to ensure that all patrons feel safe using the library.
The ALA highlights access, equity, intellectual freedom and privacy, public good, and sustainability as the core values of librarianship. While neutrality is a noble aspiration, too often it is used as a crutch to support the decision to not take action or voice support for social justice issues that tend to elicit complex emotions among patrons, staff, and leadership. Silence that stems from a refusal to speak up contributes to a continued cycle of violence and oppression. Only through an active form of neutrality—one that focuses on equitably uplifting those oppressed voices—can libraries make themselves welcoming to all.
Quick Links:
UNESCO page on the art of embroidery in Palestine as Intangible Cultural Heritage
Librarians and Archivists with Palestine Reading and Resources
Palestinian American Research Center Bibliography
Skyline College Library Palestine Research Guide
ALA Core Values of Librarianship
