The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, Tony McDade, and countless others have laid bare the aggression, discrimination, and violence that Black, Indigenous, and communities of color face in the United States and around the world. Black lives matter. The Library Publishing Coalition joins with those protesting the racism and oppression ingrained and institutionalized in our societies and seeking to make meaningful change. Dismantling systems of oppression will require hard, uncomfortable, and uncompromising work in every aspect of society.
The Library Publishing Coalition is no exception. Although we represent a robust and growing network of libraries, persons of color are significantly underrepresented in library publishing. Gatekeeping practices in scholarly communication and publishing marginalize and silence the identities, voices, and experiences of authors and communities of color. We are committed to combating racism and inequity in library publishing.
LPC plans to begin with these steps:
- Establishing a standing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
- Instituting a liaison system where each LPC committee will appoint a liaison to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to ensure that all planned programs and initiatives are reviewed with a critical anti-oppressive lens.
- Conducting a periodic equity assessment of the library publishing community, possibly in collaboration with another LPC committee.
- Providing resources for members to help create opportunities for underrepresented groups generally and persons of color specifically in their library publishing programs.
- Promoting the adoption of anti-racist and anti-oppressive policies and practices in member publishing programs.
These are our ideas, but we want to hear yours. Please email us at contact@librarypublishing.org with comments, suggestions, or questions.
Library Publishing Coalition Diversity and Inclusion Task Force
Library Publishing Coalition Board of Directors