Neutrality in Libraries: A Social Construct

Neutrality in libraries is an oppressive myth.  Many libraries serve their communities by fulfilling mission objectives as they provide an array of services and materials.  Since the COVID-19 pandemic, and along with a heightened anti-racist awareness across many spheres of society, a call to action has emerged.

Library professional associations and many libraries have incorporated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements in addition to their mission and values declarations.  DEI statements address issues of accessibility in both services and resources, and help provide a wide array of viewpoints, especially those of marginalized groups.  In libraries, resources and programs are designed to support community needs and interests.  Hence, neutrality is not a factor when it comes to selection of materials, cataloging, and even praxis in terms of developing and delivering materials and resources.

The idea of neutrality in libraries is a social construct.  According to Merriam-Webster.com (n.d), social construct (noun) is defined as “an idea that has been created and accepted by the people in a society.”

Class, race, and gender continue to be discussed across scholarly literature and disciplines as a “social construct.”  In the same manner, neutrality in libraries is also a social construct.  It remains an idea to perpetuate a norm of maintaining what the status quo, or more importantly, what those who have the power to exert influence over what is to be considered a cultural norm. Gibson et al (2017) characterizes the fallacy of neutrality by quoting Horton and Bell (1990): “Neutrality is just being what the system asks us to be” (p. 753).

How can neutrality be a consideration when in fact it chooses a side?  In libraries this cannot be reconciled with collections, services, and programming offered to support the needs of its communities.  Gibson et al. (2017) presents research that “frames neutrality as a practice of social oppression of marginalized groups” (p. 754).

Neutrality is a contentious topic in the library profession, and has continued to be greatly debated and contextualized throughout library literature.  Concepts such as social responsibility, ethics, moral dilemmas, and social justice are just a few of the key concepts centered around “neutrality in libraries.”  American Library Association policies and documents such as ALA Code of Ethics, and Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights: Access to Library Resources and Services Regardless of Sex, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, or Sexual Orientation, Diverse Collections, and Equity, Diversity, Inclusion are defining declarations that quash the “neutrality” conundrum.

At the heart of these documents is the embodiment of intellectual freedom, emphasizing ethical responsibility to ensure that all individuals have equitable and inclusive access to a diverse range of information resources and services irrespective of a creator’s perspective.  This commitment is particularly vital in an era where social justice is a priority, as it seeks to represent all viewpoints on both current and historical issues.

Bernice Suphal

References

American Library Association. (2017). ALA code of ethics. https://www.ala.org/tools/ethics

American Library Association. (2006). Diverse collections: An interpretation of the library bill of rights. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/diversecollections

American Library Association. (2017). Equity, diversity, inclusion: An interpretation of the library bill of rights. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/EDI

American Library Association. (2007). Interpretations of the library bill of rights. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations

Gibson, A. N., Chancellor, R. L., Cooke, N. A., Sarah, P. D., Lee, S. A., & Shorish, Y. L. (2017). Libraries on the frontlines: Neutrality and social justice. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 36(8), 751-766. doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-11-2016-0100

Lewis, A. (2008). Towards self-reflection in Librarianship: What is praxis. In Questioning Library Neutrality: Essays from Progressive Librarian (pp. 11–17). Library Juice Press.

Social Construct. (2024). In Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20construct