History Repeating and the Present Renovating Like in 2017, 2025 showcases several issues that revolve around the dissipation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) plans; economic issues plaguing the world, political tensions with educational institutions, and changes in ways of learning revolving around technological innovations (Adams Becker et al., 2017; NewMediaConsortium, 2017; Robert et al., 2025). The recent United States (US) Presidential administration, as of 2025, has chosen to undo various embedded DEI programs in higher education, which were created to create a more inclusive learning environment for diverse students (Robert et al., 2025). This aspect is closely tied to the various interconnected impacts on many people’s livelihoods, following the…

Idea: Social Worker in the Library The goal of many libraries is to provide a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment for patrons to thrive, and incorporating a social worker into a library is key to achieving this goal (ALA, n.d.; Noah Lenstra [@NoahLenstra], 2023; The Salt Lake Tribune, 2023). This service enables multiple patrons to access essential resources vital for individuals experiencing homelessness, those in need of psychological support, those requiring immigration assistance, and more (Barboza, 2025; Rodriguez, 2019; The Salt Lake Tribune, 2023). Many of these needs are essential to support the community surrounding Southwestern College (SWC) in Chula Vista, given Chula Vista’s highly diverse population (Data USA, n.d.).…

Censorship, an Uphill Battle There has always been a history of censorship of books and narratives; however, as of 2025, an influx of individuals seeking to ban materials deemed unsafe for children has occurred (Oliver, 2022; Vasilogambros, 2025). The primary concerns of those who wish to censor books in the library pertain to subjects related to LGBTQIA+ issues and race (ALA, n.d.; CNN, 2021; Oliver, 2022). There is also the factor of how censorship is done, which is alarming to witness myself as a person who works in education. Censorship of contested topics encompasses either the downplaying of factors surrounding horrendous tragedies and prejudice, such as replacing Maus with less…