Libraries and Neutrality

Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

Library Bill of Rights

American Library Association

For those of us who attended library school many moons ago – library neutrality, reinforced in the above statement from Library Bill of Rights, was promulgated as one of our core values.  Librarians, in particular, are not supposed to take positions on public issues – but remain objective arbiters of information, ostensibly in best interest of our patrons and the communities we serve.

This position has recently been interrogated and under review, augmented by the fact that librarians and institutional selection policies have been under attack by community groups questioning inclusion of controversial titles in public library collections.  Ultimately – what has been posited is whether information can indeed be classified as objective, whether information professionals can even conduct themselves as neutral entities – or whether this position is realistic or even desirable.

Some have defended the sacred position of librarians as guardians of neutrality.  Director of ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom James LaRue, avers, Neutrality is essential to our role in public life.  It is enshrined in our values, our laws, and our policies. (Are Libraries Neutral?).  Stanley Kurtz of Ethics and Public Policy Center also advocates for a neutral stance:  The library should remain sacred ground – a neutral sphere above the fray – precisely because libraries leaven and inform the fray itself (Kurtz, The Battle for the Soul of the Library).  Assistant Dean for Student and Alumni Affairs Em Claire Knowles, Simmons School of Library and Information Science, adds … an active, engaged, continually reaffirmed neutrality is just the first rung on the ladder to advocacy and social justice. (Are Libraries Neutral?)

On the other hand, R. David Lankes, Director, University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science, observes, The myth of neutrality prevents an engaged, professional conversation with our diverse communities to define the aspirations of that community.  In their article, The moral arc of the library: what are our duties and limitations after 45, Kelsey Cheshire and Jennifer Stout state, It is time for libraries and librarians to do away with arguments about ‘neutrality’ and instead reorient ourselves toward social justice in a more intentional way.

Given Leonard Lief Library’s social justice mission – it is debatable whether we can – or wish – to remain neutral:  Developing robust collections reflecting the Bronx’s diverse communities, which can be accessed by scholars to advance positive social change in action and research [Values Statement].  Several tenets of ACRL Framework for Information Literacy [https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/acrl/content/issues/infolit/Framework_ILHE.pdf] pertain to library instruction:  Information Creation as a Process and Authority is Constructed and Contextual.  When explaining the information universe to students – we have to contextualize that online information is primarily provided by commercial vendors:  for better or worse – we have essentially abdicated the portal of information management to external, for-profit corporate entities, not necessarily motivated in the public service.

While we undoubtedly benefit from this generally robust, comprehensive [fee-based] environment – it does not easily lend itself to alternative viewpoints or diverse voices, corresponding to disappearance of local regional news sources within large corporate conglomerates.  How can we facilitate student access to alternative sources to guarantee research is inclusive of broad points of view?

Nevertheless – academic libraries’ legacy of neutrality is perhaps still best represented by our collection development policies [https://asklib.lehman.edu/policies/search/?t=0&adv=1&topics=Collection%20Development].  We are committed to building broad, comprehensive, balanced collections in all formats representing a variety of perspectives.  Ultimately – we want users exposed to a panoply of resources.  Providing training in information literacy – we can guide students to access this information universe, applying tools of critical evaluation to gain a nuanced understanding of their research topic in order to foreground choices and construct arguments based on individual assessment of evidence presented.  Needless to say – this process must be ongoing and iterative.

You won’t be surprised to learn that few library faculty are neutral on the subject of library neutrality.  In this issue of Biblio-Tech – librarians explore prospects, viability – and possible detriments – of neutrality in our professional practice.  This variety of viewpoints – hopefully reflecting the richness and breadth of our collections – inspires comprehension of the beauty, awe, diversity, and complexity of contemporary university libraries.

Kenneth Schlesinger

Associate Dean and Chief Librarian

References

American Libraries. (2018, June 1). Are Libraries Neutral? https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/06/01/are-libraries-neutral/.

American Library Association. Library Bill of Rights. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill.

Association of College and Research Libraries. Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education. https://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/ilframework.

Leonard Lief Library. Mission, Vision, and Values. https://lehman.edu/library/mission.php.

Kurtz, S. (2022, February 24). The Battle for the Soul of the Library. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/24/opinion/battle-library-neutrality.html.