Contested Spaces: A Critical History of Canadian Public Libraries as Neutral Places, 1960-2020 - Softcover

Kemble, Whitney

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1634001583 ISBN 13: 9781634001588

Publisher: Litwin Books, LLC, 2024

Synopsis

Contested Spaces is the first comprehensive and critical history of controversial events at Canadian public libraries, and an examination of the real-world impacts of neutrality policies in Canadian public library space use. What events at public libraries in Canada have created controversies and prompted protests? What were the issues at stake? What kinds of outcry or protest occurred? Did politicians get involved? Did the events happen, or did they get cancelled, and why? What kinds of impacts or outcomes resulted? This book answers these questions and brings the Canadian historical context into the ongoing conversations that are critiquing the concept of neutrality in libraries. It considers relevant librarian perspectives alongside critical theories to interrogate the myth of library neutrality, and to seek positive and productive ways for libraries to engage with and serve their communities that honour library values and foster inclusivity, care, safety, and social justice.

Edition details

• Publisher: Litwin Books, LLC
• Publication date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1634001583
• ISBN 13: 9781634001588
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 186