The 21st Century Black Librarian in America: Issues and Challenges. Eds. Andrew P. Jackson, Julius C. Jefferson Jr., and Akilah S. Nosakhere. Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press, 2012. 277p., $80.00 (ISBN 9780810882454). LC 2011-042051
چکیده
permeates and inspires this collection of essays addressing the diverse and multifarious concerns of the black librarian in America. This edition, which follows two earlier versions edited by Josey in 1970 and 1994, begins with a dedication to Josey, a selected bibliography of his works, and a tribute to him by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). Indeed, Josey influences every page in this comprehensive volume with his work providing inspiration and guidance to black librarians in America. With 47 chapters and eight parts, this wide-ranging collection offers a varied and prolific assortment of essays related to black librarianship in America. The unifying theme of this collection is that, despite the hard work and accomplishments of black librarianship's preeminent activists and scholars, such as Josey, there still remains much work to be done, " glass ceilings to be shattered, closed doors to be opened. " Activism against racism in America remains as relevant as ever, and the 21st-century generation of black librarians is encouraged to continue the work of Josey and others: " Our responsibility to ancestor warriors and elders has not yet been fulfilled. " Racism in the profession of librarianship continues to obstruct recruitment of black librarians to the field and their advancement in the profession. Part I focuses on the school library. As the introduction notes, " all are in agreement that students with low academic skills typically come from schools with poorly equipped school libraries. " Part II addresses issues in the public library. Themes explored in this section include the financial difficulties faced by public libraries in difficult economic times and the centrality of the public library to the community as a safe place for all people, from job seekers to the homeless, to seek assistance and refuge. Part III discusses black librarianship in terms of the academic library. A variety of perspectives from the academic library are presented. Part IV focuses on the special library. The chapters presented here address health sciences and medical librarianship and private institutional libraries. Part V discusses state and federal libraries, and Part VI addresses issues in the library and information school: both sections contain important essays about recruitment and retention of black librarians in the profession. Part VII focuses on library technology and its impact on librarianship and information access. Access to Africana collections in historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is one such topic …