Open AccessFrom the President of RUSA: Everyday Decisions
Author(s) -
Ann Kipling Brown
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
reference and user services quarterly/reference and user services quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.443
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 2163-5242
pISSN - 1094-9054
DOI - 10.5860/rusq.58.2.6923
Subject(s) - public relations , diversity (politics) , sociology , work (physics) , inclusion (mineral) , equity (law) , space (punctuation) , mission statement , political science , law , computer science , social science , engineering , mechanical engineering , operating system
RUSA, as defined by its vision, “is an influential and authoritative organization, essential to the work of anyone engaged in the practices of connecting people to resources, information services, and collections.” Since our vision was adopted in 2015 our world and that of libraries has definitively changed. We are fighting fake news, administering Narcan to overdosed patrons, and partnering with social services. This summer RUSA adopted a statement of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Libraries can no longer choose not to see the inequities that broader structural systems perpetuate.Often I hear, “What can I do? I’m just a librarian. I’m not the manager, the director, or a supervisor.” But there are other things you can do to lead from where you are through everyday decisions. Decisions made with awareness will help each of us become more savvy allies and advocates. We need to do this work so libraries can remain a trusted space. Here are a few ways you can get started.