Page 29 - BCALA Spring 2018

Saunders, suggests that an aspiration to neutrality be coupled with an attempt to achieve “objectivity” in our practice.
What she means by “objectivity”
is this: we must be able to consider or represent facts, and other information without being influenced by personal feelings or opinions.
Clearly, libraries are experienced
in information assessment, and our capacity for presenting valid and vetted materials, even when they do not comport with our personal opinions, is a key requirement for a successful career in the profession.
Neutrality of this sort, coupled with balance and objectivity, is in my opinion, the best position to work from to foster intellectual freedom and to observe both the Library Code of Ethics and Library Bill of Rights.
So how do we work toward neutrality?
I believe we need to focus our attention on three matters of open access: equal access to materials; equal access to meeting space; and equal access to services.
Equal Access to materials: In libraries, when we select materials, we should strive for balanced and unbiased choices. In doing so, we must use not only the traditional selection tools and commercial resources, but we must consult alternative tools, including recommendations from the public.
A good starting point would be with a plan, or a collection development policy, which explains our process. It has been documented that
a clearly stated, unbiased and balanced collection policy statement may prevent challenges to library materials.
In selecting materials that describe the making of America, for example, many diverse authors should be included. We must not shy away from controversial topics such
as hate speech, religion, science, materials that provide clearly delineated issues.
If materials are inaccurate or products of fake news, they must
be excluded, of course. But we must explain, and justify, their absence
if challenged. If we should explain those absences too. In collection development, then, a clear plan
and a transparent implementation of it contribute to a neutral environment. Our role as librarians should be to allow users to access and explore all ideas without judgment and to balance it with
the understanding of difference of opinions and resisting censorship.
Equal access to meeting space:
we also must make sure that
our libraries are safe spaces for diverging opinions. We must further acknowledge that our provision of access is not an endorsement of content or of the host group. Many libraries provide space for groups that might be quite controversial, but it is important
BCALA NEWS | Volume 45, Issue 2 | 29 that these groups are using the
meeting spaces. As long as they understand the regulations for using the space. In this way, the space is being open to the full community and all groups using it are abiding by the value of equal access.
Equal access to services: We must offer access to service to all people in the community and sometimes beyond. As we do so, we must demonstrate respect for cultural expressions and understandings while we also offer new ideas
and help to explore new ways of thought. Thus, we are providing help while we are also engaging in an exchange of information and gaining new insights that could benefit and sere other users in our communities.
And again, let me emphasize
that strong policies will be the most effective guide for the implementation of open access
so that the materials provided
are vetted and inform rather than stoke passion, so that one person or group’s access to library space doesn’t close the door on another’s, and so that library workers attend to all needs equally.
But here is where things get complicated.
Because policies have to be written by people, and librarians cannot check their opinions, priorities, and passions at the door to their institution.