Knowledge Justice: Disrupting Library and Information Studies through Critical Race Theory

by Sofia Y. Leung (Editor), Jorge R. López-McKnight (Editor)

Black, Indigenous, and Peoples of Color--reimagine library and information science through the lens of critical race theory.

In Knowledge Justice , Black, Indigenous, and Peoples of Color scholars use critical race theory (CRT) to challenge the foundational principles, values, and assumptions of Library and Information Science and Studies (LIS) in the United States. They propel CRT to center stage in LIS, to push the profession to understand and reckon with how white supremacy affects practices, services, curriculum, spaces, and policies.

Genres: Nonfiction, Librarianship, Professional Development, Library Science, Race, Social Justice, History

348 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 2021

Reviews

[Dasha]

This is a great book that challenges a lot of the norms of library culture and scholarship, particularly how library institution has been a key place of violence within settler-colonial states.

[Jess]

Marking it read even though I haven't gone cover-to-cover yet, because I'm bouncing around between chapters and GR isn't built for that.

All the chapters I've read so far have been fabulous:

Introduction: This Is Only the Beginning by Sofia Y. Leung, Jorge R. López-McKnight
Really helpful annotated list of key terms and references to library literature with examples of different concepts in action.

1: Not the Shark, but the Water: How Neutrality and Vocational Awe Intertwine to Uphold White Supremacy by Anastasia Chiu, Fobazi M. Ettarh, Jennifer A. Ferretti
I have long felt completely done with the topic of library neutrality, but they managed to bring it back to life!

2: Moving toward Transformative Librarianship: Naming and Identifying Epistemic Supremacy by Myrna E. Morales, Stacie Williams
Very thoughtful and deeply critical, which is exactly what I would anticipate with these authors.

3: Leaning on Our Labor: Whiteness and Hierarchies of Power in LIS Work- by Jennifer Brown, Nicholae Cline, Marisa Méndez-Brady
So immediately useful that I sent a copy to my boss as soon as I finished reading it.

9: Dewhitening Librarianship: A Policy Proposal for Libraries by Isabel Espinal, April M. Hathcock, Maria Rios - currently reading

10: The Praxis of Relation, Validation, and Motivation: Articulating LIS Collegiality through a CRT Lens - by Torie Quiñonez, Lalitha Nataraj, Antonia Olivas - currently reading

[Feliciana]

This was required for one my graduate courses.
For anyone going into librarianship, this is for you. For anyone currently in librarianship, this is for you. The digital publication is open source/access (i.e. you can download it for free). I chose to also purchase a physical copy so I can highlight standouts.

[Trevor Owens]

This book is hugely important. Anyone working in libraries and archives or related areas of knowledge infrastructure needs to make time to read it in full. The collection of essays covers is a powerful introduction to key issues in critical race theory and makes major progress for the LIS field in applying insights from CRT to much needed work in libraries and archives. The editors have done a great job of bringing together a wide range of voices and authors. I know that I will be citing a lot of these essays in future research.

[Addy Stupin]

Absolutely necessary read for anyone within/entering the LIS field

[Dan Trefethen]

A selection of essays by different people in the profession of the application of CRT to the library, information sciences, and archival fields. Well worth considering. Among other things, I now know what 'interest convergence' is (yes, I should have known years ago) and will be looking for it during the next discussion of diversity initiatives.

[Kate]

Foundational. To be read and reread and consumed.

[Logan Dalton]

A must read for all librarians!!

[K&E_getlit]

Should be required reading for all LIS professionals but honestly is applicable far beyond the profession as well. Enjoyed every single essay and going to make sure my institution has a copy.

[Melinda]

I don't think I will ever be completely done with this book. It is especially valuable right now while we are dealing with book bans library, closing, and criminalization of library workers.