Storytelling in Action: A Practical Approach to Intellectual Freedom Advocacy

Kerol Harrod, assistant clinical professor of library and information studies at Texas Woman’s University, opened his session with a recap of recent book ban news and how the bans are affecting libraries. He then focused on the right-to-read laws that are being passed in various states. Librarians need to help spread awareness of this issue and others that impact them, he said. Harrod quoted activist Maggie Kuhn: “Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes.” The rest of the session was a review of his tips for interacting with the media, with an emphasis on placing storytelling at the center of advocacy. Harrod gave examples he’s used in the past to illustrate each of the following tips:

• Don’t use generic talking points—develop your own stories that are free of library jargon and describe what you do in ways that others will understand.
• Have an elevator speech ready to go that can be tailored to different audiences.
• When writing op-eds, be provocative, but don’t insult the opposition, because they’re the ones you’re trying to convince.
• When doing interviews with print publications, make sure you’re the one authorized to respond. Only speak for yourself, not for the library as a whole.
• For on-camera interviews, don’t assume you’ll get a do-over if you make a mistake.
• When speaking at board and other meetings, practice staying within your allotted time beforehand, always bring a bottle of water with you, revise your notes during the meeting before you talk based on what was already said, and be aware that you could end up on the news.
• Find and cultivate advocates. The people who can help you the most won’t fear professional retribution for their opinions, such as retired teachers and librarians.
• To be a storyteller, you need to plan and practice. It’s OK to be nervous; speaking will get easier the more you do it.
• Control what you can, such as wearing comfortable clothes, in an environment where you feel intimidated.

Reimagining Library Services at a Self-Service Library

Mesa Public Library in Arizona had three representatives running a session: Megan Guderian, supervisory librarian; Jere Johnston, outreach librarian; and Jesse Simms, assistant library director. They set out to give attendees insight into nontraditional libraries and to showcase how attendees could apply outside-the-box thinking in their own libraries. The following is some of what they shared about their own nontraditional space.

Mesa Public Library operates the self-service Mesa Express Library (MEL), which is part of the regular library system. The first MEL opened in a strip mall in 2011, but it was flooded in 2019. When the time came to rebuild, the library decided not to go back to the strip mall. Instead, it designed a space from scratch that is located in the center of a local park alongside an outdoor programming space.

MEL relies on technology because it isn’t staffed, although it does have a dedicated team at the library—Team Leap—whose members are responsible for it. Staffers visit for 1 hour each weekday to check in. MEL uses Bibliotheca’s open+ product and Innovative’s Polaris ILS, has an area with hold lockers, and provides an option to video chat with librarians who aren’t there in person. Patrons can use the self-service checkout kiosks to borrow from MEL’s small collection of books, which is constantly rotated in and out of the space. Patrons pick up holds from the lockers, which are used so frequently that the library had to implement a rule that holds are only kept there for up to 5 days.

The outdoor programming space means that the events are weather-dependent. The library has a good relationship with the park rangers. For example, they hosted a program teaching about the desert tortoise. The session speakers provided more MEL programming examples, including teaching patrons how to properly prune roses. In addition, an upcoming event is planned with Arizona Bat Rescue. For summer reading, a librarian visits for 4 hours at a time to distribute prizes and offer take-home kits for extra points. During a program MEL hosted for the April 2024 eclipse, librarians handed out viewing glasses and provided activities.

The presenters talked about how they handle security at MEL. The park rangers help keep the area safe, and MEL is in a high-traffic area of the park and has storefront-style glass windows. Patrons must have a valid library card with an Expanded Access option enabled to enter, they must be 18 or older, and they may not bring guests. Librarians check the cameras there every night, and they get door alerts if someone tries to enter outside of MEL’s operating hours or if the door is held open for more than 2 minutes.

The Mesa community has given MEL grace as the library experiments with it. The presenters shared some lessons learned, such as not putting the hold lockers in a sunny spot—they get very hot, and the glare makes the access screen hard for patrons to see. The presenters stressed that they had to reimagine how things are done at a library and embrace the unique nature of their space.

Get Familiar With Freedom of Information Laws

Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, presented alone because her co-presenter was sick. She spoke about the history of FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) laws, noting that the laws have different names in different states, but they all have the same goals. Anyone may file a FOIA request, she said, but first they should research if the information sought is already available. Legislative records, legislator emails, and other sensitive information is exempted from FOIA. She advised FOIA requesters to be persistent, track their request, and keep all correspondence related to it. If the request is denied, the requester can appeal. If the request is approved, the records may have redactions.

Caldwell-Stone said that FOIA can’t be used to get patron library records. There are laws in every state that protect that data; some states also protect library workers’ emails. She shared that if your library receives a FOIA request, ask the library’s legal representation for advice. In general, you should understand the FOIA exemptions, not retain documents any longer than you’re required to, and create a solid records management policy, guided by state law, for your library.

Geek Out Expo: Creating a Con for Your Library

Isaiah West, teen services librarian at Prince George’s County Memorial Library System in Maryland, shared his experience starting up a convention that celebrates being a nerd, with all ages welcome. Gaming and anime programs are popular at his library, and he was hearing that people in the community were happy to share their skills, so he decided to create a con.

First, he had to pick a location. Then, he had to find partners and promote the event. He suggested picking a smaller space to start with so the con has room to grow. Decide if you want to stay in one location or rotate to different branches; his library rotates to ensure equity of service. The con could also be held at another place, such as a community center. When finding partners, base your search on location, topic, or participants depending on what makes sense for you. Showcase what your community is doing in an exhibit hall setting—you can invite artists, game developers, cosplayers, etc. For promotion, West said he posts about an upcoming con on social media, puts up posters, hands out fliers, and distributes a press release for local media.

Reimagining Library Engagement in Currently Oppressed Communities

Dara Day, central regional manager at Memphis Public Libraries in Tennessee, spoke about providing essential, needs-based services at her library. Day discussed the history of desegregating libraries in Memphis and how redlining in the city contributed to the systemic oppression of its Black residents. She lamented that it wasn’t an accident that there are so many Black people in the area who are experiencing poverty. There are patrons who still remember the libraries being segregated, and many view libraries as cold government institutions that they distrust. Day said the staffers want patrons to know that it’s safe to come to the library.

That led to Memphest, the summer reading program that creates a joyful, secure environment for patrons. Memphest is held 1–4 p.m. on Saturdays in the summer. There are also events during spring and fall school breaks. The library provides literacy to-go kits that contain easy-reader picture books, story prompts, and other items that allow patrons to make up their own stories. Day shared an example kit, saying it was designed for kids to partake in with their caregivers, which helps both child and adult literacy.

Because many patrons live in a food desert, free food is offered at every event, with simple menus that always have a vegetarian option. The library partners with a local farmers market to offer bags of produce that patrons can take home after the event. Memphis City Beautiful representatives provide urban farming resources, and the University of Memphis’ science department provides hands-on STEM activities. STEM to-go kits are also available to patrons; they contain a pipe cleaner, modeling clay, buttons, and other tactile items along with suggestions for what can be built. Each event also features live music—performers and/or a DJ—to help Memphest feel more welcoming.

What’s Next

ALA has not yet announced if it will create a replacement winter event for LibLearnX, but its next meeting is the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition, planned for June 26–30, 2025, in Philadelphia.