Many Oak Parkers want a diverse community but sometimes without understanding what it requires. When our public library limited its role in a recent Palestinian gathering because it was a “community” event and not a “library” event, the Wednesday Journal remarked that this was “a distinction without a difference.” Really?!
The point of contention is whether public librarians should avoid putting their own “ideological thumbs on the scale of social discourse,” particularly when it comes to use of library spaces (R. Anderson, The Scholarly Kitchen). Fortunately, it is our library’s judgment that its imprimatur must be used judiciously. Patrons borrowing a book, taking home a video, reading a national newspaper and, most importantly, attending an event in a library meeting room, want to feel confident that the library honors their different persuasions. All are welcome, whether a progressive pro-Palestinian, traditional Democrat supporting Israel, evangelical Christian or libertarian.
Of course, making this work in practice is not easy. The dividing line between “library” and “community” events will be difficult to discern sometimes. A Palestinian event in 2024 is not one of those times. The war and terror in Gaza have divided people everywhere, and unsurprisingly also in Oak Park. Presidents of Ivy League universities have resigned in the face of the turmoil. So if the distinction between “library” and “community” for a Middle Eastern event today is not intuitive to the local newspaper editors or the protesters at library board meetings, all need to rethink their own diversity principles.
We can start by listening to the library’s (now former) Executive Director Joslyn Bowing Dixon. She has explained that there are “library” events for which the library does the planning and advertising. And there are “community” events hosted, planned, and advertised by outside groups — not the library. The library’s Meeting Space Policy affirms that it “protects the right of the individual to speak freely, even when the content may be controversial or unacceptable to others. The library does not promote or endorse all the ideas, discussions, and activities taking place in its spaces.”
For my own purposes, I participate in a group that meets at the library to promote the legalization of Medical Aid in Dying and learn from people who have helped terminal patients minimize suffering. The library provides space for these meetings but does not sponsor them.
I regret that ex-Executive Director Dixon and the library board have apologized profusely for causing unspecified “hurt and confusion.” The apologies should have come from those who did not support the library’s diversity principles. Although there may have been some initial miscommunication about the “library vs. community” distinction, the library held its ground and the meeting was conducted as scheduled. Some 400 people reportedly attended.
The library’s former executive director can stand proud for how she protected the library and its diverse patrons. We should applaud and learn from her.
Dale Sorenson is a longstanding Oak Park resident who frequents the Oak Park Public Library for books and meetings.