About

We often hear about librarians as neutral purveyors of resources providing communities with uninhibited access to information. This conveniently glosses over the library’s vulnerability in mirroring and perpetuating systems of oppression found throughout the rest of society. We rarely hear about or have the opportunity to learn from librarians who are actively working within and outside of information institutions for social change. Librarians who understand that choices we make in collection development, responding to research queries, collection of archival materials, training people in technology and developing community programming all have social, political, cultural and economic ramifications.

This free symposium is the first in a series of skillshares, workshops, roundtables and panel discussions that will focus on similar themes of critical librarianship, hosted by the Boston Radical Reference Collective.

Schedule

All Sessions will be held in the Women's Studies Research Center, Brandeis University

930am - 10am: Registration
Registration & networking (light refreshments will be served)

10am - 11am: Symposium Panel
The panelists are librarians who use their skills to undertake consciousness-raising in libraries and within the LIS profession; actively participate in anti-oppression and empowerment work; and develop programming that supports the library as space and library as a means of liberation.

Panelists include:

Susie Husted, Facilitator

Maria Taesil Hudson Carpenter, Somerville Public Library

Akunna Eneh, Boston Public Library/BPL Professional Staff Association

Laura Foner, Boston Public Library/BPL Professional Staff Association

Alana Kumbier, Wellesley College Libraries

Ryan Livergood, Arlington Public Library

William D. Mongelli, Massachusetts Department of Correction

11am - 1230pm: Discussion
Breakout sessions (includes time for a break)

1230pm - 1pm: Wrap-Up
Reconvene and share ideas for moving forward

Registration

Please click here to register for "Practical Choices for Powerful Impacts: Realizing the Activist Potential of Librarians" symposium. The event is FREE, but registration is required.

Transportation

Directions
The Women's Studies Research Center is located in the Epstein Building on Brandeis University campus. Directions to Brandeis can be found on the Brandeis University website. (Includes public transportation options.)

Parking
There is free parking located directly behind the Epstein building. A parking pass is not required to park in the Epstein lot. There is plenty of accessible parking available.

Carpooling
If you are interested in carpooling, please indicate your preference on the registration form.

Contact

If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to the Boston Radical Reference Collective at bostonradref@gmail.com. (The email will only go the planners, not the entire collective.)