“I’m hiding. I’m not my full self all the time,” said a naturalized immigrant library worker in the Zoom chat.
On January 21st, Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO/SELS) and the Prairielands Library Exchange in Minnesota hosted “An Online Conversation about Care for Ourselves and Our Communities.” Called “ICE, MN Libraries and Prioritizing Safety,” librarians and library workers gathered virtually to share what they had seen and what they feared to see in their libraries at the hands of ICE and CBP agents.
Some expressed their dismay at being targets: “I’m a Somali American library worker…staff saw ICE agents in our parking lot yesterday and hearing the whistles/car horns was extremely dystopian and frightening. I don’t feel safe coming to work anymore.”
Others shared advice and talked about what their libraries were doing to support their communities, though they sometimes hit obstacles: "[Our library] wanted to provide ICE Alert Whistles," like the ones provided by Mischief Toys in St. Paul, "but we were told as a nonprofit that we are not allowed to be outwardly political…so we called them ‘safety whistles’ instead.”
One contributor stepped in when they wanted to remind those in the group, who were mostly white, that, even though they are afraid, they need to remember the ICE and CBP’s true targets. “Let’s not center white fear,” they said.
As a librarian, I’ve always been proud to see libraries stand up and go above and beyond for their communities, whether it’s during a natural disaster or economic hardship. But when I first joined this profession, I never imagined I would see libraries protecting their patrons from federal sieges of U.S. cities. I don’t have the words to express the horror or my rage. As the last bastions of democracy, where one is allowed to simply be, libraries are supposed to be safe places for all. Now, so many patrons and staff, especially people of color, regardless of legal status on U.S. soil, are afraid to make the trek to the libraries they love, the last places many of them felt safe, in fear of being unlawfully detained.
Some of the measures libraries have taken include maintaining lists of local immigration attorneys and other legal professionals, as well as digital toolkits. Many are also providing Red Cards with rights information. Some are reviewing their policies with staff and updating those policies to include DHS agent encounters, advising them how to legally and responsibly share information from community alert networks in chat apps or social media. Partnerships with other likeminded community organizations have become crucial, including across state lines, such as Library Freedom or the Ready NOW project.
Inside the buildings, libraries have rededicated to multi-language collections, informational programs, and acquiring primary sources of immigrants’ experiences. Moreover, many libraries have posted new signage throughout their buildings clearly indicating spaces that are staff only, reminding potential DHS invaders that they are not legally permitted in those areas. Directors and managers have tried to make space for stress and fear, bringing in on-site counselors, and asking staff to be understanding with patrons who may be expressing their anxiety in unpredictable ways. Library staff are reassuring patrons that they do not collect information regarding their patrons’ citizenship status and will not share that information without a judicial warrant. Even with a warrant, the library will first contact their legal representation before handing anything over.
And that’s just public libraries. School and academic libraries are taking similar efforts to protect their students and often that involves getting help from the parents. Many parents are acting as escorts not just for their own children, but for the whole community, standing sentinel on school sidewalks to remind the public of their rights, alert the school if ICE approaches, and act as legal observers.
Most state library organizations and the American Library Association (ALA) have all provided statements and resources. However, this spring, librarians face a difficult choice. The Public Library Association (PLA) Conference is scheduled to take place in Minneapolis. Though PLA put out a statement explaining their decision to keep the conference in place and keeping it safe, with many members happy to stand their ground and support the city, some library workers — especially library workers of color — are too terrified to attend. Some sentiments on social media have reflected this, with some commenting, “tone deaf,” “good luck if you’re a Brown librarian,” and expressing that PLA’s responsibility should be to the safety of their members and not city businesses. Sadly, there is no good solution; the PLA Conference is booked and planned months, even years, in advance, but ultimately some librarians will simply not feel safe enough to attend and will risk losing the money they’ve already spent to secure travel.
Though it is primarily libraries in major cities of blue states that are being attacked in clear retaliation for voting against Trump, even libraries in red states have to consider how they’ll take a stand when they become the next targets.
I mourn for all affected by the terror imposed by ICE, CBP, and the Trump administration, and I hope libraries can continue to stand strong and provide support. If you’re not sure what your library is doing to help, don’t hesitate to ask. If they are doing nothing, demand that they do something and demand they be prepared. And, of course, volunteer your time or dime if they need it, no matter how small.
More importantly, you can support your library’s cause by supporting the groups they are trying to protect, such as supporting protests and other events trying to make a difference. Here, you’ll find plenty of examples of literary activism, which is perfect for you book lovers out there. Chances are, whatever your hobby or fandom is, there is some way that hobby or fandom is trying to engage with activism that can make a difference. Your library is a great place to help you find those opportunities and hopefully a great partner in defending you and your community.
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