Description
The 1970 and 1994 editions of The Black Librarian in America by E.J. Josey singled out racism as an important issue to be addressed within the library profession. Although much has changed since then, this latest collection of 48 essays by Black librarians and library supporters again identifies racism as one of many challenges of the new century. Essays are written by library educators, library graduate students, retired librarians, public library trustees, veteran librarians, and new librarians fresh out of school with great ideas and wholesome energies. They cover such topics as poorly equipped school libraries and the need to preserve the school library, a call to action to all librarians to make the shift to new and innovative models of public education, the advancement in information technology and library operations, special libraries, recruitment and the Indiana State Library program, racism in the history of library and information science, and challenges that have plagued librarianship for decades. This collection of poignant essays covers a multiplicity of concerns for the 21st-century Black librarian and embodies compassion and respect for the provision of information, an act that defines librarianship. The essays are personable, inspiring, and thought provoking for all library professionals, regardless of race, class, or gender.
About the Author
Andrew P. Jackson is Executive Director at Queens Library's Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center. He has served as a Library Consultant/Advisor to Roosevelt Public Library and Wyandanch Public Library, and he is Adjunct Professor at CUNY's York College Department of History and Philosophy-Cultural Diversity Program and Queens College-Graduate School of Library Information Studies. Julius Jefferson Jr. is Information Research Specialist in the Congressional Research Service (CRS) at the Library of Congress, where he provides public policy research assistance exclusively to Members of Congress, congressional committees, and staff. Prior to joining CRS, Jefferson served as a reference librarian in the Humanities and Social Sciences Division of the Library of Congress and in the Howard University Libraries system. Akilah S. Nosakhere is Director of Library Services for New Mexico State University Carlsbad and has held management positions in academic and public research libraries in the Atlanta area. A former African American Studies subject editor for seminal Resources for College Libraries (RCL) Books for College Libraries, she currently serves on the editorial board of ALA/ACRL CHOICE.
Reviews
How much have things changed since the publication of E. J. Josey's seminal work, The Black Librarian in America (Scarecrow Press, 1970) and The Black Librarian Revisited (2d ed.; Scarecrow Press, 1994)? Judging by some of the anecdotes and data found throughout the 48 essays in this collection, racism remains a challenge to the profession. The mostly brief (four to five pages) essays cover the professional gamut from school librarianship to special libraries work, and the authors range from library school students to retired individuals, with three excellent editors helming the project. Naturally with such breadth and variety the quality will vary, but the immediacy of the personal stories are most striking and thought provoking, even though their individuality raises questions of just how prevalent racism is. The matter of diversity and relatively low number of black professional librarians runs through many of the essays, but all too often some basic questions are not addressed. Are blacks not entering the profession because of white attitudes, or is it a matter of higher pay and more opportunity in other fields? Is librarianship itself as attractive a profession as it was 40 years ago, or is it seen as a going the way of buggywhip salesmanship to new generations? Overall, this is a fine work that could open up discussion in the field, much in the way that Josey's work did in the twentieth century. This work is recommended for all library science collections. * American Reference Books Annual *
The powerful legacy of librarian, mentor, and activist Dr. E.J. Josey (1924-2009) permeates and inspires this collection of essays addressing the diverse and multifarious concerns of the black librarian in America. This edition, which follows two earlier versions edited by Josey in 1970 and 1994, begins with a dedication to Josey, a selected bibliography of his works, and a tribute to him by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). Indeed, Josey influences every page in this comprehensive volume with his work providing inspiration and guidance to black librarians in America. With 47 chapters and eight parts, this wide-ranging collection offers a varied and prolific assortment of essays related to black librarianship in America. . . . The 21st Century Black Librarian in America is highly recommended for collections concerned with diversity in librarianship, the history of the field of librarianship, the education of library professionals, and activism in the profession. * College & Research Libraries *
As the book's title indicates, the scope of The 21st-Century Black Librarian in America is ambitious. Each part could easily be a book unto itself. . . .[T]his is a valuable text for students of library and information science and for professionals who are looking for ways to nurture and increase diversity in their workplaces. It will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of black librarians. * Information & Culture *
Awards
Winner of Outstanding Contribution to Publishing Citation 2013 and BCALA Literary Awards 2012.
Book Information
ISBN 9780810882454
Author Andrew P. Jackson
Format Hardback
Page Count 300
Imprint Scarecrow Press
Publisher Scarecrow Press
Weight(grams) 608g
Dimensions(mm) 239mm * 162mm * 25mm
About the Author
Andrew P. Jackson is Executive Director at Queens Library's Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center. He has served as a Library Consultant/Advisor to Roosevelt Public Library and Wyandanch Public Library, and he is Adjunct Professor at CUNY's York College Department of History and Philosophy-Cultural Diversity Program and Queens College-Graduate School of Library Information Studies. Julius Jefferson Jr. is Information Research Specialist in the Congressional Research Service (CRS) at the Library of Congress, where he provides public policy research assistance exclusively to Members of Congress, congressional committees, and staff. Prior to joining CRS, Jefferson served as a reference librarian in the Humanities and Social Sciences Division of the Library of Congress and in the Howard University Libraries system. Akilah S. Nosakhere is Director of Library Services for New Mexico State University Carlsbad and has held management positions in academic and public research libraries in the Atlanta area. A former African American Studies subject editor for seminal Resources for College Libraries (RCL) Books for College Libraries, she currently serves on the editorial board of ALA/ACRL CHOICE.
Reviews
How much have things changed since the publication of E. J. Josey's seminal work, The Black Librarian in America (Scarecrow Press, 1970) and The Black Librarian Revisited (2d ed.; Scarecrow Press, 1994)? Judging by some of the anecdotes and data found throughout the 48 essays in this collection, racism remains a challenge to the profession. The mostly brief (four to five pages) essays cover the professional gamut from school librarianship to special libraries work, and the authors range from library school students to retired individuals, with three excellent editors helming the project. Naturally with such breadth and variety the quality will vary, but the immediacy of the personal stories are most striking and thought provoking, even though their individuality raises questions of just how prevalent racism is. The matter of diversity and relatively low number of black professional librarians runs through many of the essays, but all too often some basic questions are not addressed. Are blacks not entering the profession because of white attitudes, or is it a matter of higher pay and more opportunity in other fields? Is librarianship itself as attractive a profession as it was 40 years ago, or is it seen as a going the way of buggywhip salesmanship to new generations? Overall, this is a fine work that could open up discussion in the field, much in the way that Josey's work did in the twentieth century. This work is recommended for all library science collections. * American Reference Books Annual *
The powerful legacy of librarian, mentor, and activist Dr. E.J. Josey (1924-2009) permeates and inspires this collection of essays addressing the diverse and multifarious concerns of the black librarian in America. This edition, which follows two earlier versions edited by Josey in 1970 and 1994, begins with a dedication to Josey, a selected bibliography of his works, and a tribute to him by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). Indeed, Josey influences every page in this comprehensive volume with his work providing inspiration and guidance to black librarians in America. With 47 chapters and eight parts, this wide-ranging collection offers a varied and prolific assortment of essays related to black librarianship in America. . . . The 21st Century Black Librarian in America is highly recommended for collections concerned with diversity in librarianship, the history of the field of librarianship, the education of library professionals, and activism in the profession. * College & Research Libraries *
As the book's title indicates, the scope of The 21st-Century Black Librarian in America is ambitious. Each part could easily be a book unto itself. . . .[T]his is a valuable text for students of library and information science and for professionals who are looking for ways to nurture and increase diversity in their workplaces. It will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of black librarians. * Information & Culture *
Awards
Winner of Outstanding Contribution to Publishing Citation 2013 and BCALA Literary Awards 2012.
Book Information
ISBN 9780810882454
Author Andrew P. Jackson
Format Hardback
Page Count 300
Imprint Scarecrow Press
Publisher Scarecrow Press
Weight(grams) 608g
Dimensions(mm) 239mm * 162mm * 25mm
