Antiracist Resources

Dear F&M Community, 

As bell hooks writes in Teaching to Transgress, "silence is an act of complicity." [1] While our country struggles with a pandemic, we again watch systemic injustices result in the deaths of our fellow human beings -- George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery -- the most recent in a long line of killings dating from 1619, when Africans who were enslaved were brought here. We were and are heartbroken by these multiple tragedies, and know that the F&M community is outraged for the victims, their families, and all affected by hate. As an entity that works with our students, staff, faculty, and the Lancaster community, the College Library as an organization cannot remain silent or still in the face of ongoing racialized violence and killings. 

We know that many of us cannot completely understand the depth of anger, fear, and anxiety felt by Black and African American people in our College, community, state, and nation. It is not enough to reiterate our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, or against racism. It is not enough that our strategic plan mandates that we engage thoughtfully and respectfully with the various communities of the College. We recognize that we must work actively together towards stopping future incidents of racism and violence. It is up to all of us, no matter our background, to face this where it exists. We have much to do in order to live these values, and we need to act wherever possible. 

The College Library regularly offers information, content, support, spaces, events, and more to our students, staff, faculty, and the Lancaster community. We've identified additional, immediate actions our organization can take, and we invite other ideas. We are doing and will continue to do the following: 

• Challenge injustices when we see them. Engage thoughtfully in campus dialogues on issues of race and racist abuse. 
• Work towards diversifying and Indigenizing content we invest in -- actively add to our collections by representing all in our community, and ensure we are making accessible works by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color authors. 
• Promote antiracist resources, support and information, including books, websites, and professional development opportunities, through our Library website and social media. 
• Rededicate the Archives & Special Collections to collecting the history and impact of student and alumni groups of color, through a comprehensive "Inclusive Archives Initiative."
• Alone or in conjunction with relevant partner groups, plan and host DEI-focused events surrounding both Library materials and issues. For example: 
  • Partner with Brooks College House for "Searching for Black History at F&M: A Visit to the Archives" event on February 23rd, 2021, with Louise LoBello, Research & Collections Management Specialist. A recording of this event is available here. 
  • Host monthly DEI Discussion Group meetings for College Library employees, focusing on various articles, podcasts, and other materials that are specific to DEI-related issues in libraries. 
• During the summer of 2020, host open online screenings of films about Black and African American people and stories, through the Watch Party Wednesdays program. (Edited February 12, 2021 to adjust tense.) 
• Provide print or ebooks for multiple campus reading groups -- for example, "From Equity Talk to Equity Walk: Expanding Practitioner Knowledge for Racial Justice in Higher Education" for the Provost's direct reports group. 
• Initiate and facilitate a campus reading group, possibly in conjunction with other departments or groups, on racial issues. 
  • Partner with the F&M People of Color Alliance (POCA) to host a virtual monthly Antiracism Discussion Group, focusing on readings and podcast episodes on various antiracist topics. (Added February 19, 2021 to reflect ongoing work since September of 2020.) 
• Work with other departments and student organizations to offer topical zine making workshops when possible, helping our community express itself creatively. 
• Reschedule the canceled spring workshop for library employees -- "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the College Library: A Workshop for Critical Engagement and Change" -- and explore future similar options. 
• Participate in support mechanisms (such as the Virtual Care network) whenever possible. 
• Work collaboratively with Dr. Gretchel Hathaway and the DEI Office on a variety of issues and events. (Edited original bullet point on February 19, 2021 to indicate specific work being done with the DEI Office.) 
  • Associate Librarian for Archives & Special Collections Christopher Raab has been appointed to the F&M Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team. 
  • Christopher Raab is also working with the strategic planning area group on DEI.
  • Continue to run the F&M Textbook Affordability Initiative with DipCon and work with the Presidential Task Force on Campus Climate to ensure equitable access to course materials for all students.
  • Along with Dr. Gretchel Hathaway and Dr. Louise Stevenson, Anna Boutin-Cooper has joined the Legacy of Slavery @ F&M Study Group as a co-moderator. 
• Work collaboratively with librarians from other Oberlin Group schools to promote DEI & Antiracist information through webinars, etc., via the Oberlin Group DEI & Antiracist Ad hoc Committee (ODAC). [Added August 23, 2021]

We offer all empathy and compassion to our students, employees, colleagues, and neighbors, especially those feeling most pained and vulnerable. As we return to campus, we can make progress on these and other actions as a way to come together. If you would like to offer suggestions for further actions, please reach out to me at scott.vine@fandm.edu. 

With respect for all members of our community, 

Scott Vine
Director of the College Library

[1] bell hooks, Teaching to Transgress (New York, NY: Routledge, 1994), 66. 

Last updated: August 23, 2021