Ricardi de Cirencestria Speculum Ilistoriale de Gestibus Regum Angtiœ. From the Copy in the Public Library, Cambridge, Chronica Magistri Rogeri de Hovedene

The article is dedicated to unknown page in the library history of Ulyanovsk region. The author writes about the role of Trusteeship on people temperance in opening of libraries. The history of public library organized in the beginning of XX century in the Tagai village of Simbirsk district in Simbirsk province is renewed.

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Category Romances, Cozy Mysteries, and Civic Virtues: Justifying the Promotion of Popular Fiction in the Public Library

The Library Quarterly ◽

10.1086/710261 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 90 (4) ◽

pp. 493-514

Author(s):

E. E. Lawrence

Keyword(s):

Public Library ◽

Popular Fiction ◽

The Public ◽

Civic Virtues

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Reversing the gaze on race, social justice, and inclusion in public librarianship

Education for Information ◽

10.3233/efi-211514 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Amber Matthews

Keyword(s):

Critical Race Theory ◽

Public Libraries ◽

Public Library ◽

Structural Racism ◽

The Public ◽

Race And Class ◽

The Gaze ◽

Socially Constructed ◽

Historical Times ◽

Diversity Studies

While contemporary revisionist narratives frame the public library as a benevolent and neutral community resource, it has existed for over two centuries and has a deeply shaded past. Particularly, public libraries played key roles in projects tied to the industrialist mission of states and the education of select social groups during key historical times. In no uncertain terms, these were inherently racist and colonial projects in which libraries helped proffer socially constructed and politically motivated ideas of race and class. This work draws on relevant and important work in anti-oppression studies, Black studies, critical diversity studies, and Critical Race Theory (CRT) to trouble contemporary revisionist perspectives in public librarianship to show how they further entrench monocultural normativity and structural racism. It also draws on scholarship in anti-racism studies to reimagine possibilities for public librarianship that genuinely reflect its core values of equity and justice.

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