Topographies of Whiteness: Mapping Whiteness in Library and Information Science

by Gina Schlesselman-Tarango (Editor), Sarah Hannah Gómez (Contributor), April M. Hathcock (Contributor)

Exploring the diverse terrain that makes up library and information science (LIS), this collection features the work of scholars, practitioners, and others who draw from a variety of theoretical approaches to name, problematize, and ultimately fissure whiteness at work. Contributors not only provide critical accounts of the histories of whiteness – particularly as they have shaped libraries and archives in higher education – but also interrogate current formations, from the policing of people of color in library spaces to imagined LIS futures. This volume also considers possibilities for challenging oppressive legacies and charting a new course towards anti-racist librarianship, whether in the classroom, at the reference desk, or elsewhere.

Genres: Nonfiction, Social Justice, Race, Library Science, Adult, Professional Development

334 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2017

Reviews

[Rea Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prior to this book, I had not thought much about how librarianship is steeped in whiteness.
If a library's goal is to be an equitable, inclusive asset to the community, it is vital for library workers to understand their blind-spots.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very strong collection of essays that work to name, complexify, and map whiteness as it impacts the library and information science (LIS) professions. Starting with the idea that one of the privileges of whiteness is its perceived neutrality, these authors work to help us see whiteness in the profession, recognize its impact, and work towards a goal of racial justice that will improve the information professions for both patrons and workers. The pieces include historical explorations, theory-focused discussions, personal counternarratives, and case studies. Throughout the book, the authors use a variety of critical lenses to understand the impact of racism and oppression in our services to the public, the descriptions of our collections, the makeup of our workers, and more. In particular, I was blown away by "A Revisionist History of Andrew Carnegie's Library Grants to Black Colleges," by Shaundra Walker; "Interrogating Whiteness in College and University Archival Spaces at Predominately White Institutions," by Nicole M. Joseph, Katherine M. Crowe, and Janiece Mackey; and "White Feminism and Distributions of Power in Academic Libraries," by Megan Watson. The bibliographies will keep me very busy with further reading. Highly recommended.

[Amy Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful book filled with essays on how librarianship is both intentionally and unintentionally racist, how it upholds white supremacy.  Each essay brings up important topics, such as how racism works in the archives, in academic libraries, how workplaces are made inaccessible and intolerant, how both micro- and macro-aggressions appear within the library walls.  

I learned so much from this book both in regards to the academic citations as well as through the personal experiences these authors shared.  I'm excited to recommend this book to my colleagues and use the knowledge I gleaned from this moving forward.  

This compilation shines a light on a hugely important topic in the field today, and it's incredibly important that we not only acknowledge it, but continue to put in the effort to deconstruct preconceived notions and to build a better institution.  Overall, I'd say that this is a must read if you're going into the library profession, or if you're already working as a librarian.  It's an important topic, and one that needs to be discussed.

Review cross-listed here!

[sarah hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

US-centric but hugely interesting and important discussions that do map to the UK. definitely will be coming back to this!

[Mills College Library]

020.973 T6752 2017