21st-Century Black Librarian in America - by Andrew P Jackson & Julius Jefferson & Akilah S Nosakhere (Hardcover)

About the Book

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, written by Black librarians in public, academic, state...

Book Synopsis

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, written by Black librarians in public, academic, state, federal, technology, and special libraries, are personable, inspiring, and thought provoking for all library professionals, regardless of race, class, or gender.

Review Quotes

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.

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.

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.

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.