The theme of belonging seems to appear in many of the spaces I inhabit right now. It was the theme of our 2024 WLA conference (which was, by the way, amazing). It is the theme of the school district and site where I just wrapped up my ninth year as Teacher-Librarian. And it is the theme of many of the books I have read or am reading as I inevitably lose the race to keep up with the rich landscape of middle-grade novels, transitional fiction, and picture books I can offer my students. Following the pandemic isolation and given the increasing polarization of our political landscape, we all seem to be searching for belonging.
Recently, two of my school library colleagues and I represented the Washington Library Association at the Washington State Parent Teacher Association conference. We were there to share our book award programs and educate parent advocates on the current state of school libraries in Washington. Before I arrived, my colleagues were confronted by a parent who accused them of promoting the “gay agenda” and grooming children. Before I left, we had the opportunity to chat with a parent whose family has two moms and wanted to hear about books that validated her family’s existence.
Both of these parents need to belong in our library spaces.
How, when their views seem so diametrically opposed, do we accomplish that?
I think we start by validating their feelings. In both cases, these parents care about their children. In both cases, these parents seek to have their world view confirmed by the reading material their child accesses. In both cases, the parents want to know that their concerns are heard.
We keep repeating the idea that libraries–all libraries–are for everyone. Everyone has a right to find books that reflect their lived experience in our spaces. Everyone has a right to choose NOT to read specific books or access specific materials or programming. We can’t only welcome the people whose beliefs or values align with our own–we have to welcome them all.
Sometimes, this is a huge stretch. I know I personally struggle to welcome those who would not accept people I love for simply living as their authentic selves. But if we hope to move toward creating a space where everyone truly belongs, we have to start by highlighting what we have in common.
All too often, particularly in online spaces, the focus seems to be on “telling” or “shaming” another person rather than on listening and finding common ground. I am not suggesting that we tolerate hate or bigotry. I’m suggesting that we shift the focus away from hate or bigotry to what we have in common. There, in that commonality, is where we have the opportunity to expand viewpoints and create real change, one individual at a time.
This work takes an emotional toll, and far too often library workers are asked to pay that toll without being provided resources to refill our coffers. I hope that we can all lean on our WLA colleagues when the toll becomes too great. I hope WLA helps you all find a space where you belong, and where you can find support from people who understand what it takes to create spaces where everyone belongs.
All library workers belong in our organization. The Washington Library Association does not require a specific job title, library environment, or amount of formal education of its members. All library workers and supporters are welcome to join WLA and be part of our divisions, sections, committees, and events. Just as all library workers and supporters contribute to the success of our varied library spaces, the contributions of all library workers are necessary for WLA to meet the needs of our members and create spaces that allow all of our members to feel belonging and support.
If you have not yet found that space in WLA, I encourage you to get more involved. Put your name forward to serve on a committee or task force; apply for a scholarship opportunity; submit a conference session proposal; attend an event. If all else fails, send me an email.
We are all in this together. All library workers belong in our organization. Together, we can all help create a world where everyone belongs.
Sarah Logan is the Teacher-Librarian at Dorothy Fox Elementary in Camas, Washington, and currently serves as the Washington Library Association Board President. Prior to moving to Washington in 2015, she was the Teacher-Librarian at Lynbrook High School in San Jose and earned her MLIS from San Jose State in 2012. Sarah has a reputation for actively participating in professional organizations and creating engaging, student-centered school library programs that promote authentic reading cultures. She is also a passionate advocate for access to quality school library programs and has been instrumental in the #K12Librarians4AllWA campaign, which seeks to increase the number of Teacher-Librarians in Washington’s K-12 public schools. She will continue to advocate for Washington’s students until they all have access to quality school library programs with qualified Teacher-Librarians.
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