In this guest post, librarian Alexandria Brown discusses the issues with labeling books as “diverse” and other ways we can build and promote a more equitable library collection.
Every so often, the question of whether or not to add a spine label designating “diverse” books makes the rounds. Many condemn the practice, but lots of library staff persist in labeling. Like most diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues in librarianship, many of my colleagues are still operating within a white (and cisgender and heterosexual) supremacist framework. It is an understandable predicament to be in – after all, many library degree programs are not as strong as they could be in advocating for DEI and decolonization. So let’s examine the question of diversity labeling and see if we can’t get to a better understanding of why it’s problematic.
Before we dive in, I want to make sure a few things are clear. First, I’m only going to discuss labeling for race/ethnicity, not LGBTQIAP+. While the issue is similar for both, there are a few key differences significant enough to merit a separate conversation. Second, intent versus impact. We often like to say “assume good intentions,” but that does not, should not, and cannot negate or undo the offense. Good intentions that cause harm still require an apology and action plan of how to do better in the future. Third, you are allowed to be uncomfortable. If you find yourself feeling uncomfortable by the end of this, sit with it. Feel it. Consider the roots of your discomfort. Understand that your comfort level does not merit tone policing or demands for civility, insisting on good intentions or bothsidesism, or anything else that forces the oppressed to accommodate the needs of the oppressor over their own. My goal is not to assuage discomfort but to engage in a difficult conversation.
Now, let’s begin.
The two most common reasons I hear from library staff who use “multicultural,” “diverse,” or “POC” labels are that 1) their patrons want to more easily find those books; and 2) that libraries already use genre labels and diversity is no different. Whew, there’s a lot to unpack here!
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