[Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon

[Star Khan]

It's taken me a while to respond as I have been having a hard time figuring how to put into words exactly how I've been feeling.  I still don't know if I'm going to be able to express myself the way that I'd like but I'm getting more frustrated by trying to figure out how to say things so people don't get offended or scared. This is going to be messy so just bare with me.

First off, I am extremely disappointed at how this situation has unfolded.  Rather than ask to have a conversation with the Board about her concerns, Ms. Hummel chose to "call us out" in a very public manner.  Not only was the Board accused of cronyism, she then insinuated that members of the Board were coerced into approving the petition.  So is she saying that the BIPOC people on the Board forced our opinions on the rest?  And that the rest of the Board were too scared to say anything?  I'm insulted for my BIPOC colleagues and for my fellow Board members, by both those assumptions.

Here's a little BIPOC perspective for you:  As one of the few BIPOC members on the Board, I took that personally.  I took it to mean that she believed that I was so aggressive with my beliefs; that I was so closed off to any other opinions, that my fellow Board members had no choice but to give in.  Ms. Hummel (and her anonymous group of scared librarians) made me feel like pushing for equity and inclusion was a dirty thing.  Like what we are asking for is completely unethical.  She says she was only trying to express her opinion but what she did was start the conversation off by making accusations and painting BIPOC in a very negative manner.

She could have come to the Board and any one of us would have taken the time to go over her concerns and help clarify any misconceptions about the petition.  I think I can comfortably say that none of us would have dismissed her.  We believe in equity, meaning EVERYONE should be heard.  It's a shame she chose not to engage in a meaningful conversation with us about it.

Now about the "feelings" that came from reading the petition.  That she felt that it was inappropriate.  That it was wrong.  Well guess what?  It's going to feel that way for a while because what we are trying to do is break the "norms" that society has been indoctrinated to accept without question.  Challenging those norms is going to be uncomfortable.  It's going to feel wrong.  Especially to those who don't truly understand or support the changes that need to happen.  I want to say I'm sorry for the icky way that it feels, but I'm not.  I'm not meaning to sound rude or appear to not care about others feelings.  But honestly, my whole life has been mostly one giant icky feeling because of situations just like this.  Every time we feel like we are being heard and that we are moving forward, someone comes along to put us back in our place.  I've sat with my uncomfortable feelings long enough.  I'm tired of biting my tongue 

I ask Ms. Hummel, and others who are too afraid to speak up on their own:

Do you know what it is like to be looked down on for being labeled as different?
Do you know what it feels like to put yourself in an environment where people don't respect or value you?
Do you know what it is like to wake up every day and have to talk yourself into going someplace where you know you aren't wanted?  
To be in a position that your coworkers believe you don't deserve??
Do you know what it feels like to believe that you are only around because you do the work that no one else wants to?  There's a HUGE difference between being appreciated and valued for being who you are versus being appreciated for doing the stuff that no one else wants to deal with.  How would you feel if you were in this situation?  
Do you know what it is like to be labeled as trouble all because you try to change unfair practices?
Do you know what it is like to have to suck it up and take whatever negativity and hate that comes your way?  To not be able to stick up for yourself because otherwise you get in trouble for targeting another coworker?
Do you know what it's like to run yourself ragged because you've taken on so much extra work in hopes that your colleagues will see you as valuable?  In hopes that maybe instead of always having something negative to say about you or your work, they'll begin to see and treat you as part of the team.  
And do you know what it feels like to have to deal with the crushing realization that no one noticed or cared anyway?
Do you know what it feels like to always feel like you will never be good enough?

Since we are running on assumptions here I'm just going to go ahead and assume that no, you do not know how any of that feels.  Otherwise, I truly believe a different approach would have been taken regarding this.  Anyone who knows how that feels or is aware of the damage these tactics cause, would have been a bit more compassionate at how they expressed their opposing opinions.  

Let's be clear..I'm not saying you aren't allowed to have your opinion.  What I'm saying is that you have expressed your opinion in a way that has caused immeasurable damage to your BIPOC colleagues.  And I'll never understand why you felt it was ok to accuse people of wrong doings just because you felt uncomfortable.  

And honestly, I would say you've also caused some damage to your relationships with some of your colleagues around the state.  If I was one of the Board members accused of being too scared to say anything or not being fair, I'd be really upset by how little you think of me.

Marci is an amazing person and did not deserve to be publicly attacked in such a way.
She came into our library community and has worked tirelessly to help advance this organization in ways that haven't been possible before. Her contributions to the Oregon library community have been tremendous and the strength and support that she gives to the rest of us BIPOC workers has been a huge ray of light.  Keep on keeping girl, we got you!    

I want to thank all the amazing people that have supported this much needed push towards EDIA in the library profession.  Thank you to all those that chose, on their own, to add their voices to this fight.  Thank you for showing us that we are in this together.

To those that are still unsure..please, let's talk about it.  I want to understand where you are coming from.  But I also want to help you see where we've been stuck for so long and why it's important to break down the barriers that have kept BIPOC library workers from being heard.  Y'all have had the field to yourselves for so long.  It's time to share now.

Please feel free to contact me at 541-996-1255 if you want to discuss any of this further.



Star Khan
Outreach Services Coordinator- Coordinadora de Servicios de Alcance
Past President REFORMA Oregon 2019-2020
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
__
 
City of Lincoln City  |  Driftwood Public Library
801 SW Hwy 101 Ste 201  |  Lincoln City, OR
P: 541.996-1255  
E: skhan at lincolncity.org  | W: driftwoodlib.org

Un idioma distinto es una visión diferente de la vida.
A different language is a different version of life  ~ Federico Fellini

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon (Mark Kille)
   2. Re: About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon (Thea Hart)
   3. Re: About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon
      (melody.hiser)
   4. Re: About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon (PLD Chair)
   5. Re: About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon
      (Scott Gallagher-Starr)
   6. Re: About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon
      (Stephanie Chase)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2022 12:52:37 -0800
From: Mark Kille <mark.kille at multco.us>
To: Steve Silver <stevesilver673 at gmail.com>
Cc: "libs-or at omls.oregon.gov" <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>,
	thall at ala.org, "REFORMANet at googlegroups.com"
	<REFORMANet at googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of
	Oregon
Message-ID:
	<CAKK44YWn6nxzNcr5ovY9ioo2bc8c5F1aS+kYtws0vS1qAsdd5A at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Hi all,

As someone who is now almost entirely out of the library world, from a
transition into HR world, I feel like I have a couple distinctive things to
add to the conversation. I apologize if I am repeating something that
someone else said first; I have carefully read all the responses, but am
not right now going back to de facto footnote things.

--An important question to ask about the petition, for those who feel it is
"off," is whether what is being transgressed is simply a *norm*, or is
there an actual violation of a law, regulation, policy or established
procedure. If it's about norms, I respectfully invite people to get over
it. Norms can and frequently must change. If it's about something with
binding force, and you feel compelled to talk about it publicly, it is
imperative to cite the specific governing language. Anything less is
irresponsible.

--"Conflict of interest" generally has a specific technical meaning in a
given context. It most commonly refers to someone having the power to
directly make or materially influence decisions that benefit themselves or
close associates. It's a heavy accusation to make. I don't think OLA
Presidents can do that for State Library recruitment and selection
processes, but I haven't looked at an org chart.

--I read the petition to say, "You need to make this position, and the
requirements need to be such that Marci is both eligible and competitive."
When I read it, I said to myself, "This makes no sense unless Marci has
already been doing this on an unpaid basis." Which, it turns out, she has!
A sadly common pattern in organizations is for the hard, foundational,
risky work of equity and inclusion to be done by BIPOC and otherwise
marginalized folks. And then, when a paid position is created, the
organization says, "Thanks, we'll take it from here with someone who has a
traditional resume of navigating organizational politics in similarly
titled roles." If the minimum requirements don't outright exclude the
people who have been doing the work, their lack of demonstrated coziness
with the status quo will, in practice. This is really, really infuriating
and can only be avoided if a lot of pressure comes to bear on the org. For
example, by a lot of people signing a petition.

--"I am worried my career will be ruined" is a functionally meaningless
statement, without detail. Is a person worried they will be *fired*? Show
me one example of a white person losing a library job because they didn't
agree on how to achieve equity and inclusion goals. Is a person worried
they will *lose the respect of their peers*? Well, yes, that is a risk one
takes when one contradicts (some of) one's peers on an issue of great
importance. Is a person worried they will *not get promoted*? Library
leaders have professional philosophies, and they advance people who align
with them. This is nothing new. It just might *feel* new to people who
haven't previously experienced being out of alignment with a leading
philosophy.

--I guarantee that, literally whoever you are, there is someone, somewhere,
who believes you are complicit in upholding one racist system or another.
Either agree with their assessment, or don't, or remain unsure. Their
assessment is not a "tactic" to "get" you to do something or not do
something. It's just their assessment, which they get to have, *especially* in
public when they are BIPOC folks.

It is not fun to have feedback that one thinks is constructive, be rejected
as not constructive. But that's how criticism works-- a critique can,
itself, be criticized. There is no obligation to "agree to disagree."
(Doing so can be actively dangerous for BIPOC and otherwise marginalized
folks.) If one cannot live with that, one may indeed wish to be cautious in
offering criticism in the first place.

Regards,
Mark

*Mark Kille*
*On-Call Human Resources Analyst Senior*
*Department of County Human Services*

mark.kille at multco.us  *| *503-988-7527 *|* email preferred

Gender-Inclusive Workplace: My pronouns are
<https://multco.us/assertive-engagement/lgbtq-justice-further-learning-resources>
he/him/his.

Leading with Race
<https://multco.us/safety-trust-and-belonging-workforce-equity-initiative/why-we-lead-race>
: I am white and Southern.


Land and Governance Acknowledgment
<https://edmethods.com/student-posts/whose-lands-are-we-on-recognizing-original-peoples-lands-and-history/>:
Multnomah County sets policy, enforces laws, and provides services on land
taken from many Indigenous peoples
<https://indigenousportland.wordpress.com/> by white settlers with
government support, using wealth derived from centuries of forced labor
<https://www.vox.com/identities/2019/8/16/20806069/slavery-economy-capitalism-violence-cotton-edward-baptist>
by enslaved Africans and their descendants.


On Thu, Feb 17, 2022 at 10:34 AM Steve Silver via Libs-Or <
libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:

> External -
> [image: External Sender]
>
> Apologies for being late to this conversation (crazy week and just now
> getting to some of my emails). Meredith and Matthew have wonderfully
> expressed why this petition and work deserve our support. Kate, your
> articulate perspective on the OLA board dynamics that led to the petition
> is immensely helpful. Penny, your willingness to be a respectful voice
> raising questions about process that I had not originally considered, while
> still supporting the intent of the petition, is appreciated. Nancy, your
> explanation of the State Library's engagement with this topic, and
> procedures they are/will be required to follow, is a helpful addition to
> this conversation. Many thanks go to the OLA board for wrestling with this
> topic in good faith and with intention. And of course, much thanks to Marci
> for her leadership in this area, even while carrying the extra emotional
> and cognitive labor we as a profession and society far too often tacitly
> (or explicitly) expect from our BIPOC colleagues.
>
> I think we can all agree that change is needed. At least I hope we can all
> agree on that point. Librarianship remains more white than the US
> population and has seen little to no improvement despite efforts and
> rhetoric dedicated to improving representation of BIPOC. What we have been
> trying to do has not been effective. New approaches are needed. Change by
> definition means disrupting the status quo. Disruption and change are messy
> and uncomfortable. If it were clean and easy we likely would have
> accomplished it by now. Missteps by all involved will inevitably happen as
> we struggle together to forge a new and better path. In my opinion, those
> missteps and my discomfort pale in comparison to the systematic injustice
> and harm we as a profession and society continue to inflict on our BIPOC
> colleagues, potential colleagues, and communities. Policies, procedures,
> and ethics exist for good reason and ought not to be lightly abandoned or
> ignored. But dismantling white supremacy in our profession requires
> dismantling policies, procedures, and even ethics that are doing harm
> rather than their intended good. If we are smart we will learn from our
> missteps, but not let them derail us from the critically important,
> difficult, messy work of dismantling white supremacy within our profession.
> This old, white, hetero, male fully supports this work being done by the
> OLA board, the EDI Anti-Racism committee, the State Library, and especially
> Marci and our other BIPOC colleagues, despite whatever mistakes will be
> made along the way. I continue to learn, grow, and make mistakes. May we
> all do the same.
>
> Steve Silver
>
> On Thu, Feb 17, 2022 at 9:03 AM Meredith Farkas via Libs-Or <
> libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:
>
>> I recognize that everyone is in different places in their journey in
>> understanding their privilege and the insidious ways whiteness culture and
>> racism are baked into our institutions and beliefs (as evidenced by the
>> anonymous comments you shared). I recognize that people make mistakes on
>> that journey and I try to have empathy for folks when they do it, but,
>> Penny, you are not making that easy. I do not necessarily agree that asking
>> questions isn't being an ally, but many people have responded to you to try
>> to provide education and context and, rather than consider that you might
>> have something more to learn here, you seem to only focus on the responses
>> of a BIPOC man. Do you understand that for you and I, conversations like
>> this are merely an academic discussion, whereas for our BIPOC colleagues,
>> they are existential? I always try to keep that in-mind when I engage in
>> these conversations, because tone-policing BIPOC in extremely asymmetric
>> dialogues would make me look ignorant.
>>
>> It is the BIPOC library workers who have pushed OLA towards this work and
>> their unpaid labor helped create the progress that has been made so far.
>> And I'm immensely grateful for that because their initiative helped all OLA
>> units (including ACRL-Oregon when I served on the Board) to really look
>> inward and investigate ways to be more inclusive and equitable. I'm
>> honestly ashamed that I didn't focus on EDI work more during my year as
>> ACRL President. During the years I served on and chaired the OLA Membership
>> committee, including when you were President, there was no OLA focus on
>> antiracist work. OLA units were incredibly homogeneous and no one seemed to
>> have a concern about that beyond getting more representation from beyond
>> the Willamette Valley. That you're more concerned about current optics than
>> the lack of inclusion you helped to continue as a past OLA President is
>> disappointing.
>>
>> Progress is not made by people charitably encouraging and mentoring one
>> or two BIPOC librarians (and then taking credit for the good work they are
>> doing) -- it is made by fostering changes in systems. You are experienced
>> enough to know that as a government unit, the State Library has stringent
>> hiring policies and procedures that could not be railroaded by either
>> Arlene, Marci, or OLA. I'm grateful that the Board sent a very clear
>> statement of support for someone who has done SO MUCH for OLA and for BIPOC
>> librarians in Oregon (more than encouraging two BIPOC to go to library
>> school). Marci has helped to create SYSTEMIC CHANGE in how OLA runs and all
>> that even before her presidential year. I'm in awe.
>>
>> Your original post essentially accuses Marci and Arlene Weibel of
>> cronyism (or at least giving the impression of cronyism), which is really
>> insulting given your knowledge of how the OLA Board works. Are you also
>> concerned about the cronyism that has led to BIPOC being systematically
>> left out of positions of power in our field for generations? Are you
>> concerned about the cronyism that still has white men overrepresented in
>> positions of power in our field? Have you spoken up or tried to change
>> those things? What about the optics of only being concerned about cronyism
>> and partisanship when it is focused on supporting a BIPOC woman? And you
>> seem unwilling to see or care about the harm you are causing Marci, which
>> after publishing those anonymous comments is only growing. But worst is the
>> accusation that Marci and other BIPOC have bullied the OLA Board and others
>> into going along with something they disagree with. You've impugned not
>> only Marci's character, but that of each individual OLA Board member, and
>> you've made Marci doubt the very real support she has from many allies in
>> the profession.
>>
>> I hope you will reconsider your point of view.
>>
>> Meredith
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Feb 17, 2022 at 8:07 AM Penelope Hummel via Libs-Or <
>> libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:
>>
>>> Max--it is unfortunate that you appear to believe that *any *critique
>>> of a EDIA initiative, however respectfully and thoughtfully expressed, is
>>> hurtful to BIPOC people.  By saying ?just stop? you are quite clearly
>>> telling me to shut up. That the only way I can avoid your repeated public
>>> censure is to either go silent, affirm everything you say, or recant my
>>> heresy.  It must be frustrating to you that unlike others, I haven?t
>>> cracked under your constant pressure.  This is exactly the toxic dynamic I
>>> was trying to address in my last post.  Thank you for demonstrating it so
>>> clearly.
>>>
>>> I?m not sure who you?ve cc?d on this message at the American Library
>>> Association but can only hope that they are affiliated with the Office of
>>> Intellectual Freedom.
>>>
>>> In general, I find virtue signaling to be pretentious and annoying but
>>> since I am being publicly accused of damaging my BIPOC colleagues, I will
>>> just say that there are currently two Oregon BIPOC librarians who are doing
>>> the great work they are doing in part because I saw their potential,
>>> mentored them and encouraged them to go to library school. I did so for all
>>> the same reasons that OLA is supporting its EDIA initiatives:  our
>>> profession needs to become more diverse and nurturing BIPOC talent is
>>> essential in that effort.  I fail to understand how the only way to support
>>> EDIA work is to never dare to question any of it.  And so far, no one who
>>> has been engaged in this current conversation has addressed this issue.
>>> Reiterating how important EDIA work is (which I wholeheartedly agree with)
>>> does not address this issue.
>>>
>>>
>>> You are entitled to behave on this listserv however you want.  What
>>> surprises me are the number of people in our community who continue to
>>> lavish public praise on you despite the nature of your discourse. You write
>>> below ?Anyone who has eyes can make their own judgements about you and your
>>> behavior.?
>>>
>>> Yes, Max, that?s quite true.  Anyone who has eyes can make their own
>>> judgements about you and your behavior.
>>>
>>> I stand by mine.
>>>
>>> Penny Hummel
>>>
>>> PENNY HUMMEL CONSULTING
>>>
>>> penny at pennyhummel.com | 503.890.0494 | www.pennyhummel.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Ensuring that libraries survive and thrive in challenging times*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From: *Max Macias <max.macias at gmail.com>
>>> *Date: *Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 6:05 AM
>>> *To: *Penelope Hummel <penny at pennyhummel.com>
>>> *Cc: *"libs-or at omls.oregon.gov" <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>, "
>>> REFORMANet at googlegroups.com" <REFORMANet at googlegroups.com>, <
>>> thall at ala.org>
>>> *Subject: *Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of
>>> Oregon
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Ms. Hummel,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thank you--it is great to know where people stand.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> When white people are scared to talk and they find a spokesperson for
>>> them--such as you--a mass of pity is created for them.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> However, when BIPOC raise concerns on this email list they are labelled
>>> as aggressive, as 'using tactics" to intimidate people--they are castigated
>>> and ostracized.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> You, Ms. Hummel are being aggressive, unprofessional and are using
>>> intimidation tactics against BIPOC who are doing Equity, DIversity,
>>> Inclusion and Antiracism work in Oregon.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm not going to label your behavior--I wouldn't want to be accused of
>>> being aggressive.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Anyone who has eyes can make their own judgements about you and your
>>> behavior.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Please stop now--you are hurting people.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Max Macias
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Feb 16, 2022 at 9:58 PM Penelope Hummel via Libs-Or <
>>> libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:
>>>
>>> Since my post late Monday raising ethical concerns in light of the OLA
>>> Executive Board?s endorsement of a petition promoting its president-elect
>>> for a position at the state library, I?ve had 20 different people contact
>>> me about it privately. (It?s been a busy couple of days.)
>>>
>>> One of them likened my original post to a public lynching.
>>>
>>> The other 19 were from people I know well and people I don?t know at
>>> all.  They live all over the state, are early career, mid-career and
>>> retired, are managers and front-line staff.  They are your colleagues and
>>> quite possibly, your good friends. They may see some things differently
>>> than you do regardless of whether you know that about them or not.
>>>
>>> Almost all stated that they did not feel safe publicly disclosing what
>>> they had to say to me.  So, with their permission, I am sharing some
>>> representative comments anonymously.  My focus here is not to rehash points
>>> I?ve already made about the EDIA petition, but rather to raise the issue of
>>> how we (as the Oregon library community) hold respectful space for each
>>> other to express dissenting points of view.  As you encounter the recurring
>>> themes in these comments, I hope you will ask yourself: * how are we
>>> doing on that?  *
>>> _________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>> *I feel silenced and unwelcome in this discussion given the language and
>>> the tactics that are being used.  I appreciate you speaking up and asking
>>> good questions because I obviously cannot. Libraries have an opportunity to
>>> provide a place where civil discourse can happen, a place where false
>>> dichotomies and polarization are discouraged.   There?s a real need for
>>> that in the world right now. The dialogue needs to be constructive. *
>>>
>>>
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Thank you for speaking up about this. I am sorry to see, once again,
>>> anyone offering up constructive criticism of anything being done by anyone
>>> having to do with EDIA efforts is being labeled as, ?those who would keep
>>> whiteness in control of everything?. Unfortunately, this always turns
>>> personal and misses the point.*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Your assessment of the issue of conflict of interest was spot on, as
>>> well as your assessment of how things may have gone with the executive
>>> board. I have spoken with several colleagues today that saw it that way as
>>> well. But we fear speaking up publicly about it because of how we?ve seen
>>> things pan out in the past. I am still relatively early in my library
>>> career and don?t feel I can speak up in good faith without it being seen as
>>> a personal attack that leads to potential retaliation.*
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>> *Thank you so much for this statement. This is exactly how I felt when I
>>> read the petition, which I did not sign for this very reason. I am
>>> concerned that this will be noted by some and hurt my standing within the
>>> OLA ranks.*
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  *I share the same concerns as you, regarding the appropriateness of
>>> the petition and the conflict of interest, but I do not feel like that I
>>> can step forward. So I appreciate you giving voice to the potential ethical
>>> issues with the petition.*
>>>
>>>
>>>  _________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>> *What you did is very brave and currently I am not brave enough to stand
>>> with you publicly and I am ashamed of that. While it may sound extreme, I
>>> am afraid of losing my ability to keep my job, or get another library job,
>>> if I speak up.*
>>>
>>>
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *I felt compelled to write and just let you know I appreciate what you
>>> shared on libs-or about ?groupthink? and concerns about conflict of
>>> interest regarding the EDIA petition. I, too, have been concerned about
>>> both of these things, both in this instance and many others.  *
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *I do feel like we (the collective ?we? of OLA) have been demonstrating
>>> some concerning behavior where if an idea/request/thought/initiative is
>>> presented under the lens of EDIA, it appears through repeated examples that
>>> they are accepted, cart blanche, without active discourse of clear critical
>>> thought.  I personally do feel unsafe bringing up dissenting opinions for
>>> the exact fear that was just enacted on you, which is public ridicule and
>>> criticism, immediately casting one out as not being an ?ally? or supporting
>>> the needs and advances of our EDIA directives.*
>>>
>>>
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>> *I have concerns with the EDI Toolkit distributed, was it vetted by an
>>> HR attorney of reasonable experience? If not, I would consider it slanted
>>> advice, I don?t need the grief in my life to ask that question at this
>>> point. I am glad you made the points you did today. I was not surprised to
>>> see the responses that came.*
>>> ___________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>> *My colleague and I discussed this and we do not believe commenting on
>>> the forum would accomplish much of anything other than creating trouble for
>>> us and possibly destroying our respective careers.  I read the petition and
>>> was dismayed at its divisive language and also that the author of the
>>> petition was being promoted as the perfect person to fulfill the new
>>> prospective job position, especially in light of her current position of
>>> being an incoming OLA president.  Like you, I felt this to be a conflict of
>>> interest. I would like to see the petition worded differently and the
>>> conflict of interest in naming Marci Ramiro Jenkins specifically for it be
>>> taken out in order to garner my support.  If I state this however then I?m
>>> labeled instantly as a racist so I won?t say anything. I appreciate that
>>> you took the leadership to address what you saw as problems with the
>>> petition in a way that I?d not be surprised was similar to the way a number
>>> of us saw it.  However open discussion and diversity of opinions no longer
>>> seems to be allowed, not even in the library world.*
>>>
>>>
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>> *I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your posts to Libs-Or
>>> concerning the petition. I don't feel capable of navigating the hazardous
>>> trail of this discussion openly but have shared your concerns with this
>>> process. You have eloquently addressed them in a respectful way, which I so
>>> appreciate.  Like so many librarians I know and respect, I want to see
>>> BIPOC rise in the profession. I see this issue making it more difficult to
>>> navigate, especially after reading the September statement by WOC-LIB.
>>> Carry on and know how much you are appreciated for your ability to speak
>>> out. I am not alone in knowing that you are doing so with the best interest
>>> in the advancement of all libraries and librarians. *
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Penny Hummel
>>>
>>> PENNY HUMMEL CONSULTING
>>>
>>> penny at pennyhummel.com | 503.890.0494 | www.pennyhummel.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Ensuring that libraries survive and thrive in challenging times*
>>>
>>>
[This email was encrypted for your privacy and security]
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Message: 2
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2022 21:18:53 +0000
From: Thea Hart <theah at wccls.org>
To: Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of
	Oregon
Message-ID:
	<MW3PR22MB21537DB3445DE65A48DE72A0B6369 at MW3PR22MB2153.namprd22.prod.outlook.com>
	
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"

When I first read the petition, there was some initial hesitance on my part. I felt some discomfort with what it said. I sat with it for a while. I didn't think that it was written the way that I, a white library worker, would write it. I've seen this happen outside of the library in other community groups that I am a part of as well and thought, "I would write that differently." But I have also learned that not every conversation needs to center my voice or one like it. And in fact, in this instance, the exact right voice was centered.

I don't know Marci personally, although I have a deep admiration for her work and the impact she has made in OLA and the Oregon library community. I also know the team at McMinnville Public Library and know that it's a fertile place for learning and growth and positive change in the McMinnville community and beyond. I respect and trust the OLA Executive Board leadership. I respect and trust many of the staff at the State Library of Oregon. And I see the status quo. I am one white library worker among so many white library workers in Oregon libraries. I see the extra work that my BIPOC colleagues have taken on in EDIA work, uncompensated. So I signed the petition, from a place of trust. I trust the petition, as written, to signify something important, in the words of those who know it best. And I trust that showing up in solidarity is the right thing to do.

I know that criticism can feel painful. I have experienced that pain. I think it's why I often shy away from writing to this listserv, out of a fear that I will make a public misstep that will be documented in writing and go out to a large group of people whose respect and admiration I want. But there is of course a time and place for criticism too. It can be wielded in a way that tears down oppressive structures. Or it can be wielded in a way that tears down marginalized people, people with less power---like BIPOC library workers. Let us always be aware of the distinction and act accordingly.

-Thea

*The views expressed are my own and not meant to represent my employer.

Thea Hart
Adult Services Librarian
West Slope Community Library
3678 SW 78th Ave
Portland, OR 97225

541-579-0607 (personal cell)
503-846-6416 (work)

thea.alex.hart at gmail.com (personal)
theah at wccls.org (work)

________________________________
From: Libs-Or <libs-or-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> on behalf of Steve Silver via Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2022 10:33 AM
To: Meredith Farkas <meredith.farkas at pcc.edu>
Cc: thall at ala.org <thall at ala.org>; libs-or at omls.oregon.gov <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>; REFORMANet at googlegroups.com <REFORMANet at googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon

Apologies for being late to this conversation (crazy week and just now getting to some of my emails). Meredith and Matthew have wonderfully expressed why this petition and work deserve our support. Kate, your articulate perspective on the OLA board dynamics that led to the petition is immensely helpful. Penny, your willingness to be a respectful voice raising questions about process that I had not originally considered, while still supporting the intent of the petition, is appreciated. Nancy, your explanation of the State Library's engagement with this topic, and procedures they are/will be required to follow, is a helpful addition to this conversation. Many thanks go to the OLA board for wrestling with this topic in good faith and with intention. And of course, much thanks to Marci for her leadership in this area, even while carrying the extra emotional and cognitive labor we as a profession and society far too often tacitly (or explicitly) expect from our BIPOC colleagues.
 

I think we can all agree that change is needed. At least I hope we can all agree on that point. Librarianship remains more white than the US population and has seen little to no improvement despite efforts and rhetoric dedicated to improving representation of BIPOC. What we have been trying to do has not been effective. New approaches are needed. Change by definition means disrupting the status quo. Disruption and change are messy and uncomfortable. If it were clean and easy we likely would have accomplished it by now. Missteps by all involved will inevitably happen as we struggle together to forge a new and better path. In my opinion, those missteps and my discomfort pale in comparison to the systematic injustice and harm we as a profession and society continue to inflict on our BIPOC colleagues, potential colleagues, and communities. Policies, procedures, and ethics exist for good reason and ought not to be lightly abandoned or ignored. But dismantling white supremacy in ou
 r profes
 sion requires dismantling policies, procedures, and even ethics that are doing harm rather than their intended good. If we are smart we will learn from our missteps, but not let them derail us from the critically important, difficult, messy work of dismantling white supremacy within our profession. This old, white, hetero, male fully supports this work being done by the OLA board, the EDI Anti-Racism committee, the State Library, and especially Marci and our other BIPOC colleagues, despite whatever mistakes will be made along the way. I continue to learn, grow, and make mistakes. May we all do the same.

Steve Silver

On Thu, Feb 17, 2022 at 9:03 AM Meredith Farkas via Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>> wrote:
I recognize that everyone is in different places in their journey in understanding their privilege and the insidious ways whiteness culture and racism are baked into our institutions and beliefs (as evidenced by the anonymous comments you shared). I recognize that people make mistakes on that journey and I try to have empathy for folks when they do it, but, Penny, you are not making that easy. I do not necessarily agree that asking questions isn't being an ally, but many people have responded to you to try to provide education and context and, rather than consider that you might have something more to learn here, you seem to only focus on the responses of a BIPOC man. Do you understand that for you and I, conversations like this are merely an academic discussion, whereas for our BIPOC colleagues, they are existential? I always try to keep that in-mind when I engage in these conversations, because tone-policing BIPOC in extremely asymmetric dialogues would make me look ignoran
 t.

It is the BIPOC library workers who have pushed OLA towards this work and their unpaid labor helped create the progress that has been made so far. And I'm immensely grateful for that because their initiative helped all OLA units (including ACRL-Oregon when I served on the Board) to really look inward and investigate ways to be more inclusive and equitable. I'm honestly ashamed that I didn't focus on EDI work more during my year as ACRL President. During the years I served on and chaired the OLA Membership committee, including when you were President, there was no OLA focus on antiracist work. OLA units were incredibly homogeneous and no one seemed to have a concern about that beyond getting more representation from beyond the Willamette Valley. That you're more concerned about current optics than the lack of inclusion you helped to continue as a past OLA President is disappointing.

Progress is not made by people charitably encouraging and mentoring one or two BIPOC librarians (and then taking credit for the good work they are doing) -- it is made by fostering changes in systems. You are experienced enough to know that as a government unit, the State Library has stringent hiring policies and procedures that could not be railroaded by either Arlene, Marci, or OLA. I'm grateful that the Board sent a very clear statement of support for someone who has done SO MUCH for OLA and for BIPOC librarians in Oregon (more than encouraging two BIPOC to go to library school). Marci has helped to create SYSTEMIC CHANGE in how OLA runs and all that even before her presidential year. I'm in awe.

Your original post essentially accuses Marci and Arlene Weibel of cronyism (or at least giving the impression of cronyism), which is really insulting given your knowledge of how the OLA Board works. Are you also concerned about the cronyism that has led to BIPOC being systematically left out of positions of power in our field for generations? Are you concerned about the cronyism that still has white men overrepresented in positions of power in our field? Have you spoken up or tried to change those things? What about the optics of only being concerned about cronyism and partisanship when it is focused on supporting a BIPOC woman? And you seem unwilling to see or care about the harm you are causing Marci, which after publishing those anonymous comments is only growing. But worst is the accusation that Marci and other BIPOC have bullied the OLA Board and others into going along with something they disagree with. You've impugned not only Marci's character, but that of each indivi
 dual OLA
  Board member, and you've made Marci doubt the very real support she has from many allies in the profession.

I hope you will reconsider your point of view.

Meredith


On Thu, Feb 17, 2022 at 8:07 AM Penelope Hummel via Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>> wrote:

Max--it is unfortunate that you appear to believe that any critique of a EDIA initiative, however respectfully and thoughtfully expressed, is hurtful to BIPOC people.  By saying ?just stop? you are quite clearly telling me to shut up. That the only way I can avoid your repeated public censure is to either go silent, affirm everything you say, or recant my heresy.  It must be frustrating to you that unlike others, I haven?t cracked under your constant pressure.  This is exactly the toxic dynamic I was trying to address in my last post.  Thank you for demonstrating it so clearly.

I?m not sure who you?ve cc?d on this message at the American Library Association but can only hope that they are affiliated with the Office of Intellectual Freedom.

In general, I find virtue signaling to be pretentious and annoying but since I am being publicly accused of damaging my BIPOC colleagues, I will just say that there are currently two Oregon BIPOC librarians who are doing the great work they are doing in part because I saw their potential, mentored them and encouraged them to go to library school. I did so for all the same reasons that OLA is supporting its EDIA initiatives:  our profession needs to become more diverse and nurturing BIPOC talent is essential in that effort.  I fail to understand how the only way to support EDIA work is to never dare to question any of it.  And so far, no one who has been engaged in this current conversation has addressed this issue.  Reiterating how important EDIA work is (which I wholeheartedly agree with) does not address this issue.

You are entitled to behave on this listserv however you want.  What surprises me are the number of people in our community who continue to lavish public praise on you despite the nature of your discourse. You write below ?Anyone who has eyes can make their own judgements about you and your behavior.?

Yes, Max, that?s quite true.  Anyone who has eyes can make their own judgements about you and your behavior.

I stand by mine.


Penny Hummel

PENNY HUMMEL CONSULTING

penny at pennyhummel.com<mailto:penny at pennyhummel.com> | 503.890.0494 | www.pennyhummel.com<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennyhummel.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7Ctheah%40wccls.org%7Ccf20e9bee2dc48757caf08d9f24416f2%7C4c8e58121f9643d092babbbeaa7b293c%7C1%7C0%7C637807196578058357%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=uXyLimX%2FAv0ujMwojzCFwEEHdIZCYdokiZfv9K%2F9Fqs%3D&reserved=0>



Ensuring that libraries survive and thrive in challenging times





From: Max Macias <max.macias at gmail.com<mailto:max.macias at gmail.com>>
Date: Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 6:05 AM
To: Penelope Hummel <penny at pennyhummel.com<mailto:penny at pennyhummel.com>>
Cc: "libs-or at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>" <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>>, "REFORMANet at googlegroups.com<mailto:REFORMANet at googlegroups.com>" <REFORMANet at googlegroups.com<mailto:REFORMANet at googlegroups.com>>, <thall at ala.org<mailto:thall at ala.org>>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon



Ms. Hummel,



Thank you--it is great to know where people stand.



When white people are scared to talk and they find a spokesperson for them--such as you--a mass of pity is created for them.



However, when BIPOC raise concerns on this email list they are labelled as aggressive, as 'using tactics" to intimidate people--they are castigated and ostracized.



You, Ms. Hummel are being aggressive, unprofessional and are using intimidation tactics against BIPOC who are doing Equity, DIversity, Inclusion and Antiracism work in Oregon.



I'm not going to label your behavior--I wouldn't want to be accused of being aggressive.



Anyone who has eyes can make their own judgements about you and your behavior.



Please stop now--you are hurting people.





Max Macias



On Wed, Feb 16, 2022 at 9:58 PM Penelope Hummel via Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>> wrote:

Since my post late Monday raising ethical concerns in light of the OLA Executive Board?s endorsement of a petition promoting its president-elect for a position at the state library, I?ve had 20 different people contact me about it privately. (It?s been a busy couple of days.)

One of them likened my original post to a public lynching.

The other 19 were from people I know well and people I don?t know at all.  They live all over the state, are early career, mid-career and retired, are managers and front-line staff.  They are your colleagues and quite possibly, your good friends. They may see some things differently than you do regardless of whether you know that about them or not.

Almost all stated that they did not feel safe publicly disclosing what they had to say to me.  So, with their permission, I am sharing some representative comments anonymously.  My focus here is not to rehash points I?ve already made about the EDIA petition, but rather to raise the issue of how we (as the Oregon library community) hold respectful space for each other to express dissenting points of view.  As you encounter the recurring themes in these comments, I hope you will ask yourself:  how are we doing on that?
_________________________________________________________________________

I feel silenced and unwelcome in this discussion given the language and the tactics that are being used.  I appreciate you speaking up and asking good questions because I obviously cannot. Libraries have an opportunity to provide a place where civil discourse can happen, a place where false dichotomies and polarization are discouraged.   There?s a real need for that in the world right now. The dialogue needs to be constructive.

__________________________________________________________________________



Thank you for speaking up about this. I am sorry to see, once again, anyone offering up constructive criticism of anything being done by anyone having to do with EDIA efforts is being labeled as, ?those who would keep whiteness in control of everything?. Unfortunately, this always turns personal and misses the point.



Your assessment of the issue of conflict of interest was spot on, as well as your assessment of how things may have gone with the executive board. I have spoken with several colleagues today that saw it that way as well. But we fear speaking up publicly about it because of how we?ve seen things pan out in the past. I am still relatively early in my library career and don?t feel I can speak up in good faith without it being seen as a personal attack that leads to potential retaliation.
__________________________________________________________________________

Thank you so much for this statement. This is exactly how I felt when I read the petition, which I did not sign for this very reason. I am concerned that this will be noted by some and hurt my standing within the OLA ranks.
__________________________________________________________________________



 I share the same concerns as you, regarding the appropriateness of the petition and the conflict of interest, but I do not feel like that I can step forward. So I appreciate you giving voice to the potential ethical issues with the petition.

 _________________________________________________________________________

What you did is very brave and currently I am not brave enough to stand with you publicly and I am ashamed of that. While it may sound extreme, I am afraid of losing my ability to keep my job, or get another library job, if I speak up.

__________________________________________________________________________



I felt compelled to write and just let you know I appreciate what you shared on libs-or about ?groupthink? and concerns about conflict of interest regarding the EDIA petition. I, too, have been concerned about both of these things, both in this instance and many others.



I do feel like we (the collective ?we? of OLA) have been demonstrating some concerning behavior where if an idea/request/thought/initiative is presented under the lens of EDIA, it appears through repeated examples that they are accepted, cart blanche, without active discourse of clear critical thought.  I personally do feel unsafe bringing up dissenting opinions for the exact fear that was just enacted on you, which is public ridicule and criticism, immediately casting one out as not being an ?ally? or supporting the needs and advances of our EDIA directives.

 __________________________________________________________________________

I have concerns with the EDI Toolkit distributed, was it vetted by an HR attorney of reasonable experience? If not, I would consider it slanted advice, I don?t need the grief in my life to ask that question at this point. I am glad you made the points you did today. I was not surprised to see the responses that came.
___________________________________________________________________________

My colleague and I discussed this and we do not believe commenting on the forum would accomplish much of anything other than creating trouble for us and possibly destroying our respective careers.  I read the petition and was dismayed at its divisive language and also that the author of the petition was being promoted as the perfect person to fulfill the new prospective job position, especially in light of her current position of being an incoming OLA president.  Like you, I felt this to be a conflict of interest. I would like to see the petition worded differently and the conflict of interest in naming Marci Ramiro Jenkins specifically for it be taken out in order to garner my support.  If I state this however then I?m labeled instantly as a racist so I won?t say anything. I appreciate that you took the leadership to address what you saw as problems with the petition in a way that I?d not be surprised was similar to the way a number of us saw it.  However open discussion and
  diversi
 ty of opinions no longer seems to be allowed, not even in the library world.

__________________________________________________________________________

I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your posts to Libs-Or concerning the petition. I don't feel capable of navigating the hazardous trail of this discussion openly but have shared your concerns with this process. You have eloquently addressed them in a respectful way, which I so appreciate.  Like so many librarians I know and respect, I want to see BIPOC rise in the profession. I see this issue making it more difficult to navigate, especially after reading the September statement by WOC-LIB. Carry on and know how much you are appreciated for your ability to speak out. I am not alone in knowing that you are doing so with the best interest in the advancement of all libraries and librarians.
__________________________________________________________________________



Penny Hummel

PENNY HUMMEL CONSULTING

penny at pennyhummel.com<mailto:penny at pennyhummel.com> | 503.890.0494 | www.pennyhummel.com<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennyhummel.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7Ctheah%40wccls.org%7Ccf20e9bee2dc48757caf08d9f24416f2%7C4c8e58121f9643d092babbbeaa7b293c%7C1%7C0%7C637807196578058357%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=uXyLimX%2FAv0ujMwojzCFwEEHdIZCYdokiZfv9K%2F9Fqs%3D&reserved=0>



Ensuring that libraries survive and thrive in challenging times
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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2022 15:31:14 -0600
From: "melody.hiser" <melody.hiser at yahoo.com>
To: Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney <kbrodbeck-kenney at lincolncity.org>,
	"Libs-OR (libs-or at omls.oregon.gov)" <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of
	Oregon
Message-ID: <1760548543.1249111.1645133482972 at yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Please UNSUBSCRIBE this email. Thank youSent via the Samsung Galaxy S8+, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone
-------- Original message --------From: Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney via Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> Date: 2/17/22  12:33 PM  (GMT-06:00) To: "Libs-OR (libs-or at omls.oregon.gov)" <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon 

Matthew, I?m very proud to work with you, and you are spot on.
?
I voted to endorse this petition as a member of the OLA Executive Board, and I have signed it. I think it?s incredibly important that as an organization, as librarians,
 and as individuals, we are frank and clear-sighted about what we want to see at the State Library and in Oregon, and where the majority of the work (and opprobrium) has fallen.

?
I?d also like to say that I?m disappointed that Penny has chosen to share private communication here to Libs-OR. It doesn?t further dialog and conversation to
 air these quotes anonymously and out of context. I?m sure everyone involved in this conversation has received off-list communication both positive and negative, but people choose to share those comments off-list for multiple reasons.
?
?

?
Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney
LIBRARY DIRECTOR
Pronouns: She/Her/They/Their
__
?
City of Lincoln City?
|? Driftwood Public Library
801 SW Hwy 101 Ste 201??|??Lincoln
 City, OR
P:?541.996-1251
E:?kbrodbeck-kenney at lincolncity.org??|?W:?driftwoodlib.org
?
From: Libs-Or <libs-or-bounces at omls.oregon.gov>
On Behalf Of Matthew Baiocchi via Libs-Or
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2022 8:53 AM
To: Penelope Hummel <penny at pennyhummel.com>; libs-or at omls.oregon.gov
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon
?
CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.
In situations like this, when a group of people tell us that things aren't fair, that they're undervalued by their colleagues and the system of which they're a part, that they are mentally and emotionally
 abused and tired from dealing with the inequities in the system day in and day out, that this has been going on for year, for decades, for centuries, our first response cannot be, "I don't see it" or "respectfully, I think you're wrong."

?
Our response must be to listen. We must listen because? the emotional toll it takes a person to try and explain, yet again, what the problem is that we don't see is crushing. We must listen because
 we have a lot to learn and we better learn it quickly, for every moment that goes past and this continues people are being hurt. We must listen because we haven't been listening for a long time and things are changing far too slowly.
?
In the beginning this cannot be a dialogue where dissenting opinions are shared and concerns are raised. We don't get it. We rarely see it. Our opinion on the matter is literally the problem because
 our opinion on the matter is the system, the same system that's causing all this hurt. Dissenting opinion is privilege. The privilege of not having to live with the realities of how the system treats people who are other.
?
Claiming that everybody should play by the same rules while knowing those rules are the system and the system is flawed is wrong. We have had centuries to try and get this right and we have failed
 most every time, and absolutely failed every time when we haven't sought input from those wronged.? So even, especially in this specific case, when it feels like someone might be not playing by the rules or skating on thin ice with bad optics, we absolutely
 have to remember that the system is deeply flawed and slanted against some people and our privileged superpower must be to say, "yes, you are hurting, this will help fix things, and the system, and all of us, will be better for it."
?
There is no conflict of interest or cronyism here with Marci. She volunteered and was head of the OLA EDI Antiracism Committee. The committee realized that EDIA was not something to be fixed part-time
 by volunteers, that this should be a full-time gig and that the person doing it should be paid for their work (just as countless institutions are realizing as new EDIA poitions are created nationwide) and the Oregon Library Association Executive Board agreed,
 and everyone involved knew that Marci had already "made substantial contributions to the Oregon library community," and "rightfully earned the respect that has resulted from that effort," and was a main author of the "substantive work that OLA has been doing
 to address EDIA issues" and should get the job, not without proper regard to her qualifications, but because of her stellar qualifications, her proven record of kicking tush on a fundamental flaw in our system.
?
We are the system. We must change if the system is going to change. It will feel awkward and wrong and unfair in the beginning, but if we don't let ourselves feel uncomfortable then no change is
 going to happen.
?
We are wonderful people doing wonderful work.?This doesn't change that. But we have to try and be just that much more wonderful to realize our privilege and make things right.? And "try" is the right
 word, because it will take great effort on our part to wake up and see what is happening, and "try" is the right word because we will fail over and again before we get it right, and "try" is the right word because we must, because if we don't then nothing
 will change and people will keep getting hurt, and we do not want people to be hurt. So we must try.
?
?
?




Matthew Baiocchi

REFERENCE LIBRARIAN

__

?

City of Lincoln City?
|? Driftwood Public Library

801 SW Hwy 101
?|? PO Box 50??|??Lincoln
 City, OR

P:?541.996.1261??|??E:?mbaiocchi at lincolncity.org

W: 
Driftwoodlib.org
|?W:?LincolnCity.org


?


ook




?





From: Libs-Or <libs-or-bounces at omls.oregon.gov>
 on behalf of Penelope Hummel via Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2022 9:58 PM
To: libs-or at omls.oregon.gov
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon


?



CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise caution when opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.

Since my post late Monday raising ethical concerns in light of the OLA Executive Board?s endorsement of a petition promoting
 its president-elect for a position at the state library, I?ve had 20 different people contact me about it privately. (It?s been a busy couple of days.)


One of them likened my original post to a public lynching.? 
The other 19 were from people I know well and people I don?t know at all.? They live all over the state, are early career,
 mid-career and retired, are managers and front-line staff.? They are your colleagues and quite possibly, your good friends. They may see some things differently than you do regardless of whether you know that about them or not.?


Almost all stated that they did not feel safe publicly disclosing what they had to say to me.? So, with their permission, I am sharing some representative comments anonymously.? My focus here is not to rehash points I?ve already made about the EDIA petition,
 but rather to raise the issue of how we (as the Oregon library community) hold respectful space for each other to express dissenting points of view.? As you encounter the recurring themes in these comments, I hope you will ask yourself:
?how are we doing on that?? 
_________________________________________________________________________

I feel silenced and unwelcome in this discussion given the language?and the tactics that are being used.??I appreciate you speaking up and asking good questions because I obviously cannot. Libraries have an opportunity to provide a place where civil discourse
 can happen, a place where false dichotomies and polarization are discouraged. ? There?s a real need for that in the world right now. The dialogue needs to be constructive.?
__________________________________________________________________________
?
Thank you for speaking up about this. I am sorry to see, once again, anyone offering up constructive criticism of anything
 being done by anyone having to do with EDIA efforts is being labeled as, ?those who would keep whiteness in control of everything?. Unfortunately, this always turns personal and misses the point.
?
Your assessment of the issue of conflict of interest was spot on, as well as your assessment of how things may have gone
 with the executive board. I have spoken with several colleagues today that saw it that way as well. But we fear speaking up publicly about it because of how we?ve seen things pan out in the past. I am still relatively early in my library career and don?t feel
 I can speak up in good faith without it being seen as a personal attack that leads to potential retaliation.
__________________________________________________________________________
Thank you so much for this statement. This is exactly how I felt when I read the petition, which I did not sign for
 this very reason. I am concerned that this will be noted by some and hurt my standing within the OLA ranks.
__________________________________________________________________________
?
?I share the same concerns as you, regarding the appropriateness of the petition and the conflict of interest, but
 I do not feel like that I can step forward. So I appreciate you giving voice to the potential ethical issues with the petition.
?_________________________________________________________________________

What you did is very brave and currently I am not brave enough to stand with you publicly and I am ashamed of that. While it may sound extreme, I am afraid of losing my ability to keep my job, or get another library job, if I speak up.
__________________________________________________________________________
?
I felt compelled to write and just let you know I appreciate what you shared on libs-or about ?groupthink? and concerns
 about conflict of interest regarding the EDIA petition. I, too, have been concerned about both of these things, both in this instance and many others.??
?
I do feel like we (the collective ?we? of OLA) have been demonstrating some concerning behavior where if an idea/request/thought/initiative
 is presented under the lens of EDIA, it appears through repeated examples that they are accepted, cart blanche, without active discourse of clear critical thought.? I personally do feel unsafe bringing up dissenting opinions for the exact fear that was just
 enacted on you, which is public ridicule and criticism, immediately casting one out as not being an ?ally? or supporting the needs and advances of our EDIA directives.
?__________________________________________________________________________
I have concerns with the EDI Toolkit distributed, was it vetted by an HR attorney of reasonable experience? If not,
 I would consider it slanted advice, I don?t need the grief in my life to ask that question at this point. I am glad you made the points you did today. I was not surprised to see the responses that came.
___________________________________________________________________________

My colleague and I discussed this and we do not believe commenting on the forum would accomplish much of anything other than creating trouble for us and possibly destroying our respective careers.??I read the petition and was dismayed at its divisive language
 and also that the author of the petition was being promoted as the perfect person to fulfill the new prospective job position, especially in light of her current position of being an incoming OLA president.? Like you, I felt this to be a conflict of interest.?I
 would like to see the petition worded differently and the conflict of interest in naming Marci Ramiro Jenkins specifically for it be taken out in order to garner my support.? If I state this however then I?m labeled instantly as a racist so I won?t say anything.
 I appreciate that you took the leadership to address what you saw as problems with the petition in a way that I?d not be surprised was similar to the way a number of us saw it.??However open discussion and diversity of opinions no longer seems to be allowed,
 not even in the library world.
__________________________________________________________________________

I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your posts to Libs-Or concerning the petition. I don't feel capable of navigating the hazardous trail of this discussion openly but have shared your concerns with this process. You have eloquently addressed
 them in a respectful way, which I so appreciate.? Like so many librarians I know and respect, I want to see BIPOC rise in the profession. I see this issue making it more difficult to navigate, especially after reading the September statement by WOC-LIB. Carry
 on and know how much you are appreciated for your ability to speak out. I am not alone in knowing that you are doing so with the best interest in the advancement of?all?libraries and librarians.?
__________________________________________________________________________
?

Penny Hummel

PENNY HUMMEL CONSULTING
?
penny at pennyhummel.com | 503.890.0494 |
www.pennyhummel.com?
?
Ensuring that libraries survive and thrive in challenging times







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Message: 4
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2022 14:45:28 -0800
From: PLD Chair <pld at olaweb.org>
To: "libs-or at omls.oregon.gov" <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of
	Oregon
Message-ID:
	<CABjM8jih3h=0qmf0x3csWdVj8t5nYTjAa_ignUVoNhhmt_9Mmw at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

When I read your initial email, Penny, I was troubled by your assertion
that either the OLA Executive Board does not understand the concept of
"conflict of interest and general appropriateness" or individual board
members were somehow coerced or shamed into supporting the petition.



As a board member, I was in that meeting, and I was part of the unanimous
support for this petition. We all agreed -- no coercion or shaming involved
-- that it is time for our State Library to support our shared EDI and
anti-racism values with capacity and funding. We also agreed that Marci
Ramiro-Jenkins has done and continues to do exemplary work in moving EDI
and anti-racism work forward for OLA, sharing her expertise and experience
through unpaid labor that we all benefit from. Why wouldn't we want Marci
to be considered eligible for a paid position that she has already been
doing so well for free?



I was also troubled by you sharing anonymous comments in support of your
own position without considering how these comments would impact Marci and
our other BIPOC colleagues who have been expected to engage with EDI and
anti-racism work simply by virtue of existing, while white colleagues can
opt out. I would urge you to examine the weaponizing of "silenced and
unwelcome" voices to garner sympathy while you have a platform and
privilege.



If we only think about solutions in terms of what has been done before, we
will only get the same results. And some of us have heard loud and clear
that not only are these same results unacceptable, they are actively
harming our BIPOC colleagues. This is not okay. Change will be disruptive
and it will be uncomfortable, but it is necessary, and it is urgent.

Halsted Bernard (she/her)
Oregon Library Association
Public Library Division Chair, 2021-2022
pld at olaweb.org


On Wed, Feb 16, 2022 at 9:58 PM Penelope Hummel via Libs-Or <
libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:

> Since my post late Monday raising ethical concerns in light of the OLA
> Executive Board?s endorsement of a petition promoting its president-elect
> for a position at the state library, I?ve had 20 different people contact
> me about it privately. (It?s been a busy couple of days.)
>
> One of them likened my original post to a public lynching.
>
> The other 19 were from people I know well and people I don?t know at all.
> They live all over the state, are early career, mid-career and retired, are
> managers and front-line staff.  They are your colleagues and quite
> possibly, your good friends. They may see some things differently than you
> do regardless of whether you know that about them or not.
>
> Almost all stated that they did not feel safe publicly disclosing what
> they had to say to me.  So, with their permission, I am sharing some
> representative comments anonymously.  My focus here is not to rehash points
> I?ve already made about the EDIA petition, but rather to raise the issue of
> how we (as the Oregon library community) hold respectful space for each
> other to express dissenting points of view.  As you encounter the recurring
> themes in these comments, I hope you will ask yourself: * how are we
> doing on that?  *
> _________________________________________________________________________
>
> *I feel silenced and unwelcome in this discussion given the language and
> the tactics that are being used.  I appreciate you speaking up and asking
> good questions because I obviously cannot. Libraries have an opportunity to
> provide a place where civil discourse can happen, a place where false
> dichotomies and polarization are discouraged.   There?s a real need for
> that in the world right now. The dialogue needs to be constructive. *
>
> __________________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
> *Thank you for speaking up about this. I am sorry to see, once again,
> anyone offering up constructive criticism of anything being done by anyone
> having to do with EDIA efforts is being labeled as, ?those who would keep
> whiteness in control of everything?. Unfortunately, this always turns
> personal and misses the point.*
>
>
>
>
> *Your assessment of the issue of conflict of interest was spot on, as well
> as your assessment of how things may have gone with the executive board. I
> have spoken with several colleagues today that saw it that way as well. But
> we fear speaking up publicly about it because of how we?ve seen things pan
> out in the past. I am still relatively early in my library career and don?t
> feel I can speak up in good faith without it being seen as a personal
> attack that leads to potential retaliation.*
> __________________________________________________________________________
>
>
> *Thank you so much for this statement. This is exactly how I felt when I
> read the petition, which I did not sign for this very reason. I am
> concerned that this will be noted by some and hurt my standing within the
> OLA ranks.*
> __________________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
>  *I share the same concerns as you, regarding the appropriateness of the
> petition and the conflict of interest, but I do not feel like that I can
> step forward. So I appreciate you giving voice to the potential ethical
> issues with the petition.*
>
>  _________________________________________________________________________
>
> *What you did is very brave and currently I am not brave enough to stand
> with you publicly and I am ashamed of that. While it may sound extreme, I
> am afraid of losing my ability to keep my job, or get another library job,
> if I speak up.*
>
> __________________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
> *I felt compelled to write and just let you know I appreciate what you
> shared on libs-or about ?groupthink? and concerns about conflict of
> interest regarding the EDIA petition. I, too, have been concerned about
> both of these things, both in this instance and many others.  *
>
>
>
> *I do feel like we (the collective ?we? of OLA) have been demonstrating
> some concerning behavior where if an idea/request/thought/initiative is
> presented under the lens of EDIA, it appears through repeated examples that
> they are accepted, cart blanche, without active discourse of clear critical
> thought.  I personally do feel unsafe bringing up dissenting opinions for
> the exact fear that was just enacted on you, which is public ridicule and
> criticism, immediately casting one out as not being an ?ally? or supporting
> the needs and advances of our EDIA directives.*
>
>
> __________________________________________________________________________
>
>
> *I have concerns with the EDI Toolkit distributed, was it vetted by an HR
> attorney of reasonable experience? If not, I would consider it slanted
> advice, I don?t need the grief in my life to ask that question at this
> point. I am glad you made the points you did today. I was not surprised to
> see the responses that came.*
> ___________________________________________________________________________
>
> *My colleague and I discussed this and we do not believe commenting on the
> forum would accomplish much of anything other than creating trouble for us
> and possibly destroying our respective careers.  I read the petition and
> was dismayed at its divisive language and also that the author of the
> petition was being promoted as the perfect person to fulfill the new
> prospective job position, especially in light of her current position of
> being an incoming OLA president.  Like you, I felt this to be a conflict of
> interest. I would like to see the petition worded differently and the
> conflict of interest in naming Marci Ramiro Jenkins specifically for it be
> taken out in order to garner my support.  If I state this however then I?m
> labeled instantly as a racist so I won?t say anything. I appreciate that
> you took the leadership to address what you saw as problems with the
> petition in a way that I?d not be surprised was similar to the way a number
> of us saw it.  However open discussion and diversity of opinions no longer
> seems to be allowed, not even in the library world.*
>
> __________________________________________________________________________
>
>
> *I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your posts to Libs-Or
> concerning the petition. I don't feel capable of navigating the hazardous
> trail of this discussion openly but have shared your concerns with this
> process. You have eloquently addressed them in a respectful way, which I so
> appreciate.  Like so many librarians I know and respect, I want to see
> BIPOC rise in the profession. I see this issue making it more difficult to
> navigate, especially after reading the September statement by WOC-LIB.
> Carry on and know how much you are appreciated for your ability to speak
> out. I am not alone in knowing that you are doing so with the best interest
> in the advancement of all libraries and librarians. *
> __________________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
> Penny Hummel
>
> PENNY HUMMEL CONSULTING
>
> penny at pennyhummel.com | 503.890.0494 | www.pennyhummel.com
>
>
>
> *Ensuring that libraries survive and thrive in challenging times*
>
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Message: 5
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2022 15:29:27 -0800
From: Scott Gallagher-Starr <scott.gallagherstarr at gmail.com>
To: Bryce Kozla <brycekozla.wccls at gmail.com>
Cc: "libs-or at omls.oregon.gov" <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>,
	thall at ala.org, "REFORMANet at googlegroups.com"
	<REFORMANet at googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of
	Oregon
Message-ID:
	<CAGLHCGu5X2mda_mzo=D9vaKbtNUafiDJSZzRsBajKpH729S+5g at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Thank you, Bryce, I was just coming to write this myself. Marci is
providing terrific leadership in this effort, and I also see her as an
excellent person to recommend to lead the recruitment process - if she is
willing to do yet another unpaid job for this community!

So far as the recruitment process goes, please correct me if I am wrong,
but the State library is obligated to go through the normal recruiting
process - put in a request to create and budget for an EDIA position,
advertise the position, solicit applications, review applications,
interview candidates and recommend a hire. That's a flawed process too, and
it's the process the library has to use as a state agency. I would advocate
for Marci (or Max, or anyone else who thinks they could do that hard work)
to apply when applications open, and I demand that OSL work with community
to create the position in the first place.

Scott
-----
Scott Gallagher-Starr
Instruction and Reference Librarian
Bushnell University

On Thu, Feb 17, 2022 at 10:00 AM Bryce Kozla via Libs-Or <
libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:

> For what it's worth, when I read in the petition, "We want to ask the
> State Library of Oregon (SLO) to create an EDIA Consulting position within
> their institution and provide the opportunity to our colleague Marci
> Ramiro-Jenkins to lead us in this effort", I interpret it to mean "due to
> her expertise, we [the people organizing and signing the petition] are
> suggesting Marci as a possible person to lead the recruitment effort."
>
> I do not see any communication in this thread or elsewhere confirming any
> other interpretation of this sentence by the petition organizers, OLA, or
> the State Library.
>
>
> Bryce
>
> On Thu, Feb 17, 2022 at 9:03 AM Meredith Farkas via Libs-Or <
> libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:
>
>> I recognize that everyone is in different places in their journey in
>> understanding their privilege and the insidious ways whiteness culture and
>> racism are baked into our institutions and beliefs (as evidenced by the
>> anonymous comments you shared). I recognize that people make mistakes on
>> that journey and I try to have empathy for folks when they do it, but,
>> Penny, you are not making that easy. I do not necessarily agree that asking
>> questions isn't being an ally, but many people have responded to you to try
>> to provide education and context and, rather than consider that you might
>> have something more to learn here, you seem to only focus on the responses
>> of a BIPOC man. Do you understand that for you and I, conversations like
>> this are merely an academic discussion, whereas for our BIPOC colleagues,
>> they are existential? I always try to keep that in-mind when I engage in
>> these conversations, because tone-policing BIPOC in extremely asymmetric
>> dialogues would make me look ignorant.
>>
>> It is the BIPOC library workers who have pushed OLA towards this work and
>> their unpaid labor helped create the progress that has been made so far.
>> And I'm immensely grateful for that because their initiative helped all OLA
>> units (including ACRL-Oregon when I served on the Board) to really look
>> inward and investigate ways to be more inclusive and equitable. I'm
>> honestly ashamed that I didn't focus on EDI work more during my year as
>> ACRL President. During the years I served on and chaired the OLA Membership
>> committee, including when you were President, there was no OLA focus on
>> antiracist work. OLA units were incredibly homogeneous and no one seemed to
>> have a concern about that beyond getting more representation from beyond
>> the Willamette Valley. That you're more concerned about current optics than
>> the lack of inclusion you helped to continue as a past OLA President is
>> disappointing.
>>
>> Progress is not made by people charitably encouraging and mentoring one
>> or two BIPOC librarians (and then taking credit for the good work they are
>> doing) -- it is made by fostering changes in systems. You are experienced
>> enough to know that as a government unit, the State Library has stringent
>> hiring policies and procedures that could not be railroaded by either
>> Arlene, Marci, or OLA. I'm grateful that the Board sent a very clear
>> statement of support for someone who has done SO MUCH for OLA and for BIPOC
>> librarians in Oregon (more than encouraging two BIPOC to go to library
>> school). Marci has helped to create SYSTEMIC CHANGE in how OLA runs and all
>> that even before her presidential year. I'm in awe.
>>
>> Your original post essentially accuses Marci and Arlene Weibel of
>> cronyism (or at least giving the impression of cronyism), which is really
>> insulting given your knowledge of how the OLA Board works. Are you also
>> concerned about the cronyism that has led to BIPOC being systematically
>> left out of positions of power in our field for generations? Are you
>> concerned about the cronyism that still has white men overrepresented in
>> positions of power in our field? Have you spoken up or tried to change
>> those things? What about the optics of only being concerned about cronyism
>> and partisanship when it is focused on supporting a BIPOC woman? And you
>> seem unwilling to see or care about the harm you are causing Marci, which
>> after publishing those anonymous comments is only growing. But worst is the
>> accusation that Marci and other BIPOC have bullied the OLA Board and others
>> into going along with something they disagree with. You've impugned not
>> only Marci's character, but that of each individual OLA Board member, and
>> you've made Marci doubt the very real support she has from many allies in
>> the profession.
>>
>> I hope you will reconsider your point of view.
>>
>> Meredith
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Feb 17, 2022 at 8:07 AM Penelope Hummel via Libs-Or <
>> libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:
>>
>>> Max--it is unfortunate that you appear to believe that *any *critique
>>> of a EDIA initiative, however respectfully and thoughtfully expressed, is
>>> hurtful to BIPOC people.  By saying ?just stop? you are quite clearly
>>> telling me to shut up. That the only way I can avoid your repeated public
>>> censure is to either go silent, affirm everything you say, or recant my
>>> heresy.  It must be frustrating to you that unlike others, I haven?t
>>> cracked under your constant pressure.  This is exactly the toxic dynamic I
>>> was trying to address in my last post.  Thank you for demonstrating it so
>>> clearly.
>>>
>>> I?m not sure who you?ve cc?d on this message at the American Library
>>> Association but can only hope that they are affiliated with the Office of
>>> Intellectual Freedom.
>>>
>>> In general, I find virtue signaling to be pretentious and annoying but
>>> since I am being publicly accused of damaging my BIPOC colleagues, I will
>>> just say that there are currently two Oregon BIPOC librarians who are doing
>>> the great work they are doing in part because I saw their potential,
>>> mentored them and encouraged them to go to library school. I did so for all
>>> the same reasons that OLA is supporting its EDIA initiatives:  our
>>> profession needs to become more diverse and nurturing BIPOC talent is
>>> essential in that effort.  I fail to understand how the only way to support
>>> EDIA work is to never dare to question any of it.  And so far, no one who
>>> has been engaged in this current conversation has addressed this issue.
>>> Reiterating how important EDIA work is (which I wholeheartedly agree with)
>>> does not address this issue.
>>>
>>>
>>> You are entitled to behave on this listserv however you want.  What
>>> surprises me are the number of people in our community who continue to
>>> lavish public praise on you despite the nature of your discourse. You write
>>> below ?Anyone who has eyes can make their own judgements about you and your
>>> behavior.?
>>>
>>> Yes, Max, that?s quite true.  Anyone who has eyes can make their own
>>> judgements about you and your behavior.
>>>
>>> I stand by mine.
>>>
>>> Penny Hummel
>>>
>>> PENNY HUMMEL CONSULTING
>>>
>>> penny at pennyhummel.com | 503.890.0494 | www.pennyhummel.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Ensuring that libraries survive and thrive in challenging times*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *From: *Max Macias <max.macias at gmail.com>
>>> *Date: *Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 6:05 AM
>>> *To: *Penelope Hummel <penny at pennyhummel.com>
>>> *Cc: *"libs-or at omls.oregon.gov" <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>, "
>>> REFORMANet at googlegroups.com" <REFORMANet at googlegroups.com>, <
>>> thall at ala.org>
>>> *Subject: *Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of
>>> Oregon
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Ms. Hummel,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Thank you--it is great to know where people stand.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> When white people are scared to talk and they find a spokesperson for
>>> them--such as you--a mass of pity is created for them.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> However, when BIPOC raise concerns on this email list they are labelled
>>> as aggressive, as 'using tactics" to intimidate people--they are castigated
>>> and ostracized.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> You, Ms. Hummel are being aggressive, unprofessional and are using
>>> intimidation tactics against BIPOC who are doing Equity, DIversity,
>>> Inclusion and Antiracism work in Oregon.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I'm not going to label your behavior--I wouldn't want to be accused of
>>> being aggressive.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Anyone who has eyes can make their own judgements about you and your
>>> behavior.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Please stop now--you are hurting people.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Max Macias
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Feb 16, 2022 at 9:58 PM Penelope Hummel via Libs-Or <
>>> libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:
>>>
>>> Since my post late Monday raising ethical concerns in light of the OLA
>>> Executive Board?s endorsement of a petition promoting its president-elect
>>> for a position at the state library, I?ve had 20 different people contact
>>> me about it privately. (It?s been a busy couple of days.)
>>>
>>> One of them likened my original post to a public lynching.
>>>
>>> The other 19 were from people I know well and people I don?t know at
>>> all.  They live all over the state, are early career, mid-career and
>>> retired, are managers and front-line staff.  They are your colleagues and
>>> quite possibly, your good friends. They may see some things differently
>>> than you do regardless of whether you know that about them or not.
>>>
>>> Almost all stated that they did not feel safe publicly disclosing what
>>> they had to say to me.  So, with their permission, I am sharing some
>>> representative comments anonymously.  My focus here is not to rehash points
>>> I?ve already made about the EDIA petition, but rather to raise the issue of
>>> how we (as the Oregon library community) hold respectful space for each
>>> other to express dissenting points of view.  As you encounter the recurring
>>> themes in these comments, I hope you will ask yourself: * how are we
>>> doing on that?  *
>>> _________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>> *I feel silenced and unwelcome in this discussion given the language and
>>> the tactics that are being used.  I appreciate you speaking up and asking
>>> good questions because I obviously cannot. Libraries have an opportunity to
>>> provide a place where civil discourse can happen, a place where false
>>> dichotomies and polarization are discouraged.   There?s a real need for
>>> that in the world right now. The dialogue needs to be constructive. *
>>>
>>>
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Thank you for speaking up about this. I am sorry to see, once again,
>>> anyone offering up constructive criticism of anything being done by anyone
>>> having to do with EDIA efforts is being labeled as, ?those who would keep
>>> whiteness in control of everything?. Unfortunately, this always turns
>>> personal and misses the point.*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Your assessment of the issue of conflict of interest was spot on, as
>>> well as your assessment of how things may have gone with the executive
>>> board. I have spoken with several colleagues today that saw it that way as
>>> well. But we fear speaking up publicly about it because of how we?ve seen
>>> things pan out in the past. I am still relatively early in my library
>>> career and don?t feel I can speak up in good faith without it being seen as
>>> a personal attack that leads to potential retaliation.*
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>> *Thank you so much for this statement. This is exactly how I felt when I
>>> read the petition, which I did not sign for this very reason. I am
>>> concerned that this will be noted by some and hurt my standing within the
>>> OLA ranks.*
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  *I share the same concerns as you, regarding the appropriateness of
>>> the petition and the conflict of interest, but I do not feel like that I
>>> can step forward. So I appreciate you giving voice to the potential ethical
>>> issues with the petition.*
>>>
>>>
>>>  _________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>> *What you did is very brave and currently I am not brave enough to stand
>>> with you publicly and I am ashamed of that. While it may sound extreme, I
>>> am afraid of losing my ability to keep my job, or get another library job,
>>> if I speak up.*
>>>
>>>
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *I felt compelled to write and just let you know I appreciate what you
>>> shared on libs-or about ?groupthink? and concerns about conflict of
>>> interest regarding the EDIA petition. I, too, have been concerned about
>>> both of these things, both in this instance and many others.  *
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *I do feel like we (the collective ?we? of OLA) have been demonstrating
>>> some concerning behavior where if an idea/request/thought/initiative is
>>> presented under the lens of EDIA, it appears through repeated examples that
>>> they are accepted, cart blanche, without active discourse of clear critical
>>> thought.  I personally do feel unsafe bringing up dissenting opinions for
>>> the exact fear that was just enacted on you, which is public ridicule and
>>> criticism, immediately casting one out as not being an ?ally? or supporting
>>> the needs and advances of our EDIA directives.*
>>>
>>>
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>> *I have concerns with the EDI Toolkit distributed, was it vetted by an
>>> HR attorney of reasonable experience? If not, I would consider it slanted
>>> advice, I don?t need the grief in my life to ask that question at this
>>> point. I am glad you made the points you did today. I was not surprised to
>>> see the responses that came.*
>>> ___________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>> *My colleague and I discussed this and we do not believe commenting on
>>> the forum would accomplish much of anything other than creating trouble for
>>> us and possibly destroying our respective careers.  I read the petition and
>>> was dismayed at its divisive language and also that the author of the
>>> petition was being promoted as the perfect person to fulfill the new
>>> prospective job position, especially in light of her current position of
>>> being an incoming OLA president.  Like you, I felt this to be a conflict of
>>> interest. I would like to see the petition worded differently and the
>>> conflict of interest in naming Marci Ramiro Jenkins specifically for it be
>>> taken out in order to garner my support.  If I state this however then I?m
>>> labeled instantly as a racist so I won?t say anything. I appreciate that
>>> you took the leadership to address what you saw as problems with the
>>> petition in a way that I?d not be surprised was similar to the way a number
>>> of us saw it.  However open discussion and diversity of opinions no longer
>>> seems to be allowed, not even in the library world.*
>>>
>>>
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>> *I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your posts to Libs-Or
>>> concerning the petition. I don't feel capable of navigating the hazardous
>>> trail of this discussion openly but have shared your concerns with this
>>> process. You have eloquently addressed them in a respectful way, which I so
>>> appreciate.  Like so many librarians I know and respect, I want to see
>>> BIPOC rise in the profession. I see this issue making it more difficult to
>>> navigate, especially after reading the September statement by WOC-LIB.
>>> Carry on and know how much you are appreciated for your ability to speak
>>> out. I am not alone in knowing that you are doing so with the best interest
>>> in the advancement of all libraries and librarians. *
>>> __________________________________________________________________________
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Penny Hummel
>>>
>>> PENNY HUMMEL CONSULTING
>>>
>>> penny at pennyhummel.com | 503.890.0494 | www.pennyhummel.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Ensuring that libraries survive and thrive in challenging times*
>>>
>>>

-- 
-----
Scott Gallagher-Starr
scott.gallagherstarr at gmail.com
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Message: 6
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2022 09:38:22 -0800
From: Stephanie Chase <acornsandnuts at gmail.com>
To: libs-or at omls.oregon.gov
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of
	Oregon
Message-ID:
	<CAJBoEorcLMf+e39wonGdoSSJfefhhwftLiT4Yda8mGFK-VK-Ow at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

I feel like there are few times when I know as little about what I am doing
as when I try to remember how to respond to Libs-Or messages that come in
the digest, so I'll ask for forgiveness as I likely start a new thread ;)

As a  member of the Oregon library community, I proudly signed the petition
to the SLO, because I *trust* the expertise of my colleagues. I trust in
the hard work done in partnership, and I trust the conversations that were
had with the State Library and OLA before this petition was put forward to
the library community. I am so thankful for the work Marci, the OLA EDIAC
members, and colleagues across the state are doing, and continue to do, to
lead the movement to replace outdated and oppressive structures.

In every single project I have worked on in the past two years as a
consultant, the organizations I was working with recognized how crucial it
is to make a clear and meaningful investment in equity work, and that such
an investment is long, long overdue. As the lead consultant working on the
State Library's LSTA evaluation, this is true of our State Library as well,
as our Acting State Librarian shared in her message:

"Currently we are reviewing our Library Services and Technology Act
(LSTA) 2018-22
Five-Year Plan
<http://ola.memberclicks.net/message2/link/23c0d134-6c83-41f5-b199-a55d718d19e5/2>,
which is how we heard so much feedback to prioritize EDIA. Thank you to
everyone who participated in that process. The LSTA Five-Year
Plan guides us on allocating the $2.5 million we receive annually
in federal LSTA funds, and where staff in our Library Support & Development
Services division
<http://ola.memberclicks.net/message2/link/23c0d134-6c83-41f5-b199-a55d718d19e5/3>
 focus their time.

Over the next few months, we?ll be writing the new 2023-27 Five-Year
Plan based on the feedback we?ve heard, including through this
petition. We feel confident saying now that EDIA will be an important part
of our new plan, particularly considering its complete
absence from the current plan. The new plan will be finalized by the end of
June 2022 and implemented starting in July 2023."

We must move forward together, in solidarity, and we need to do so by
trusting the experts we are fortunate to work with and the voices of our
colleagues who call on us to take action ? and, as others have mentioned,
with those of us in positions of privilege to be continuously committed to
learning, and learning from our mistakes.

Stephanie Chase
Executive Director, Libraries of Eastern Oregon
Founding Principal, Constructive Disruption

>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2022 10:33:48 -0800
> From: Steve Silver <stevesilver673 at gmail.com>
> To: Meredith Farkas <meredith.farkas at pcc.edu>
> Cc: thall at ala.org, "libs-or at omls.oregon.gov"
>         <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>, "REFORMANet at googlegroups.com"
>         <REFORMANet at googlegroups.com>
> Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of
>         Oregon
> Message-ID:
>         <CAGUZvy-qrn=c8NcOGVkc9GmK-9hFK9=
> HG8dJm5fdOv3rr3PHow at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Apologies for being late to this conversation (crazy week and just now
> getting to some of my emails). Meredith and Matthew have wonderfully
> expressed why this petition and work deserve our support. Kate, your
> articulate perspective on the OLA board dynamics that led to the petition
> is immensely helpful. Penny, your willingness to be a respectful voice
> raising questions about process that I had not originally considered, while
> still supporting the intent of the petition, is appreciated. Nancy, your
> explanation of the State Library's engagement with this topic, and
> procedures they are/will be required to follow, is a helpful addition to
> this conversation. Many thanks go to the OLA board for wrestling with this
> topic in good faith and with intention. And of course, much thanks to Marci
> for her leadership in this area, even while carrying the extra emotional
> and cognitive labor we as a profession and society far too often tacitly
> (or explicitly) expect from our BIPOC colleagues.
>
> I think we can all agree that change is needed. At least I hope we can all
> agree on that point. Librarianship remains more white than the US
> population and has seen little to no improvement despite efforts and
> rhetoric dedicated to improving representation of BIPOC. What we have been
> trying to do has not been effective. New approaches are needed. Change by
> definition means disrupting the status quo. Disruption and change are messy
> and uncomfortable. If it were clean and easy we likely would have
> accomplished it by now. Missteps by all involved will inevitably happen as
> we struggle together to forge a new and better path. In my opinion, those
> missteps and my discomfort pale in comparison to the systematic injustice
> and harm we as a profession and society continue to inflict on our BIPOC
> colleagues, potential colleagues, and communities. Policies, procedures,
> and ethics exist for good reason and ought not to be lightly abandoned or
> ignored. But dismantling white supremacy in our profession requires
> dismantling policies, procedures, and even ethics that are doing harm
> rather than their intended good. If we are smart we will learn from our
> missteps, but not let them derail us from the critically important,
> difficult, messy work of dismantling white supremacy within our profession.
> This old, white, hetero, male fully supports this work being done by the
> OLA board, the EDI Anti-Racism committee, the State Library, and especially
> Marci and our other BIPOC colleagues, despite whatever mistakes will be
> made along the way. I continue to learn, grow, and make mistakes. May we
> all do the same.
>
> Steve Silver
>
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End of Libs-Or Digest, Vol 228, Issue 21
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