Reflection on Hyperlinked Communities

A Free and Open Library

Two subjects stood out to me the most in this module: the need for librarians to adopt an equitable and open-minded attitude in serving their community, and how libraries can be an encouraging space for patrons to thrive (Garcia-Febo, 2018; Hasan, 2022). The subjects reminded me of previous courses that I took, which focused on social justice and the need for libraries to be more equitable areas for patrons to thrive in a culturally aware environment. (Kostelecky et al., 2023). Because of this experience in those courses, I realized that providing such a free and open space for many patrons to thrive in a non-judgmental environment not only aids in the mental well-being of patrons but also prevents various formerly incarcerated individuals from reentering the justice system under new charges (Fleary et al., 2022; Kriegel et al., 2023). Additionally, it is not just the books in a library that contribute to the mental well-being of patrons, especially those who are formerly incarcerated, but also the extensive programming that helps patrons thrive in a place that values their privacy (Blair, 2020; Ringrose, 2020). By providing an equitable and non-judgmental environment for patrons to thrive, libraries enable their community to flourish mentally and physically, thanks to a space that caters to them, respects their privacy, and offers more than just books (Jordan-Makely et al., 2022; Kostelecky et al., 2023; Schmidt, 2013).

Creating More Access

Several methods are available to ensure that both librarians and libraries foster a free and non-judgmental environment. One approach is to continually train librarians on how to become more empathetic and understanding of the diverse cultural and age backgrounds within their community (Kostelecky et al., 2023). This can be achieved by promoting diverse reading materials for the community, adopting a patient and loving mindset, and implementing programming that ensures all patrons are treated as freely and equitably as possible (Clarke & Schoonmaker, 2020; Kostelecky et al., 2023). One more method can include allowing and encouraging the privacy of all patrons involved in the library space, as many rely upon it to be a free space to recover from the struggles of the world, and some, like many immigrants, need the library to aid them in prospering from the persecution they face (ALA, 2006; Barboza, 2025; Van Hyning et al., 2023). Making the library as accessible and friendly as possible is an essential step in ensuring the mental well-being of a library’s community and promoting social equity as much as possible, especially in a contentious era such as the 2020s (Barboza, 2025; Kostelecky et al., 2023).

References

ALA. (2006, July 7). Privacy: An interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights. American Library Association. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretations/privacy

Barboza, T. (2025, February 27). Where can L.A. immigrants go for help under Trump? Try the public library. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-02-27/immigrants-resources-help-los-angeles-public-library

Blair, T. (2020, July 24). The healing power of books: Using reading to address social and emotional needs. Gale Blog: Library & Educator News | K12, Academic & Public. https://blog.gale.com/the-healing-power-of-books/

Clarke, R. I., & Schoonmaker, S. (2020). Metadata for diversity: Identification and implications of potential access points for diverse library resources. Journal of Documentation, 76(1), 173–196. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-01-2019-0003

Fleary, S. A., Gonçalves, C., Joseph, P. L., & Baker, D. M. (2022). Census tract demographics associated with libraries’ social, economic, and health-related programming. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), 6598. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116598

Garcia-Febo, L. (2018, November 1). Serving with love. American Libraries Magazine. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/11/01/serving-with-love/

Hasan, T. N. (2022, October 20). ‘Free, non-judgemental, accessible’: How your local library is a sanctuary of health and wellness. SBS Language. https://www.sbs.com.au/language/bangla/en/article/free-nonjudgmental-and-accessible-how-your-local-library-is-a-sanctuary-of-health-and-wellness/t15blzsi9

Jordan-Makely, C., Austin, J., & Brammer, C. (2022). Growing services: How libraries outside of prisons create access to information for incarcerated people. Library Journal, LLC, 147(8). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A712725110/GRNR?sid=summon&u=csusj

Kostelecky, S. R., Townsend, L., & Hurley, D. A. (Eds.). (2023). Hopeful visions, practical actions: Cultural humility in library work. American Library Association. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/sjsu/detail.action?docID=30698431

Kriegel, L. S., Barrenger, S. L., & Henwood, B. F. (2023). Public space as a potential resource during reentry for formerly incarcerated people with serious mental illnesses. Health & Place, 84, 103133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103133

Ringrose, K. (2020). Libraries & reentry: The importance of public spaces, technologies, and community to formerly incarcerated patrons. American Library Association, 7, 1–16.

Schmidt, A. (2013). Focus on people, not tools. Library Journal, 138(10), 32–33.

Van Hyning, V., Olmeda, S., James, R., Boyington, E., & Bibeault, B. (2023). Rewriting the American Library Association Standards for Library Services for the Incarcerated or Detained. Journal of Intellectual Freedom & Privacy, 8(2), 9–12.