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A Central Tension: Democracy Presumes a Sociology; Librarianship Presumes a Democracy

John Buschman
Democracy presumes a sociology. Modern libraries presume a democracy, but democratic conditions challenge democratic goods and values. In this paper I will explore this tension, which is replicated in libraries. It has long been known that the right social conditions are necessary for democracy, but that understanding has been obscured over the years. This paper will parse the relevant scholarship to broadly characterize that sociology—a clarifying simplification for LIS—and explore the identified tension within libraries in light of that sociology. This will be accomplished by briefly reviewing work by two prominent LIS researchers: Wayne Wiegand and Emily Drabinski. The conclusion will review the contemporary environment and the nature of its challenges along with perennial conflicts that illustrate the tension noted, and share what previous LIS research on library value and return on investment reveals.

Confronting the “Green” Discourse of Librarianship

Michael Kirby
Set against the backdrop of resurgent right-wing populism and drawing on Sam Popowich’s critique of democratic discourse in librarianship, this article outlines a crisis of imagination within liberal climate activism—particularly its essentially unquestioned commitment to “green growth,” or the notion that economic expansion can continue indefinitely alongside ecological sustainability. The American Library Association (ALA), despite its progressive public image, uncritically promotes these same market-oriented solutions to climate change and aligns itself with international treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement, both of which are grounded in growth-centric frameworks and market mechanisms like carbon credits. These frameworks and mechanisms, the article finds, function as forms of greenwashing—symbolic gestures that allow corporations and institutions to appear environmentally responsible while continuing to push unsustainable practices.

Making the Case for Play in Academic Libraries

Glyneva Bradley-Ridout
Academic libraries are evolving beyond their traditional role as centers for study and research. With growing concern over student stress, burnout, and wellbeing, libraries have an opportunity to support student success through creative means, including play. Play is often misunderstood and undervalued in adulthood, yet research shows it offers profound benefits. This perspective piece argues that academic libraries are uniquely positioned to offer students the opportunity and permission to engage in play, and that play has benefits to existing academic library spaces. Presenting three arguments examining the benefits of play in adulthood, for post-secondary students, and in academic libraries, this article advocates that play is a natural extension to the work being done to support students in academic library spaces.

Critical Voices in Library and Information Work, by Stephen Bales and Tina Budzise-Weaver

Joel Blechinger

Generative AI and Libraries: Claiming Our Place in the Center of a Shared Future, by Michael Hanegan and Chris Rosser

Victoria Levang

Teaching Information Literacy through Faculty Development, by Jane Hammons

Erich Engler

Platform Power and Libraries, edited by Christine F. Smith

Jennifer Dekker

A Complete Guide to Creative Technology Spaces in Academic Libraries: Media Labs, Makerspaces, and More, by Emily Thompson, Vanessa Rodriguez, Eric Johnson, Kelsey Sheaffer and Oscar K. Keyes

Melissa Rivosecchi

Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman's OpenAI, by Karen Hao

Brianna Calomino

Critical Data Storytelling for Libraries: Crafting Ethical Narratives for Advocacy and Impact, by Kate McDowell

Merran Carr-Wiggin

Educating with Empathy: A Holistic Framework for Teaching the Research Process, by Dawn Rogers Stahura

Karly Gunson

Solving Names: Worldliness and Metaphysics in Librarianship, by Sam Popowich

Nicole Slattery

Exploring Contemporary Classification Practices: Organizing Information, Technological Change and Ideological Contestation, edited by Jack Andersen and Joacim Hansson

Nat Johnson-Tyghter

Artificial Intelligence for Academic Libraries, by Clifford B. Anderson and Douglas H. Fisher

Michael Ridley

AI-Powered Cataloguing: A Practical Guide to Building a Cataloguing Application with Power Apps, by Hannes Lowagie

Indraneel Shinde