This week, while reflecting on how libraries can meet the needs of their communities, I came across a Reddit thread where a librarian shared something that stuck with me:
“I live and work in a red state, so libraries are seen as neutral places of expression. We don’t even have holiday or theme displays, so that we don’t offend the patrons” (Ok-Librarian-8992, 2025).
It made me wonder—in this era of deep divisions, is it still possible for libraries to meet the needs of the whole community? Does attempting to be neutral avoid conflict and allow our communities to come together, or does it enable divisions to deepen by avoiding necessary conversations?
Even in these divisive times, there is no question that libraries should be places where everyone feels welcome. At their core, libraries are about sharing—books and materials, of course, but also knowledge, space, and community. By opening their doors to all, libraries naturally embrace diversity and inclusivity. However, as the Reddit post suggests, some libraries attempt to create neutral environments where they likely avoid topics dealing with diversity and inclusion. But does this approach really make libraries welcoming for everyone, or does it exclude voices and ideas that need to be heard? Jenson (2017) argues that “libraries are not, nor have they ever been, neutral spaces. They are political. Every decision made in a library, from books to be included in the collection, to displays created, to special populations to reach, is political.”
If neutrality isn’t possible, how can libraries bridge divides rather than simply avoid conflict? Certainly, some libraries face more challenges than others. But even in the most restrictive circumstances, libraries can still bring people together. Ciara Eastell (2019), in her TED Talk How Libraries Change Lives, explains that information professionals are “super connectors within their local community, forging new connections between different groups and individuals that just wouldn’t happen otherwise.” It’s these connections that help people understand one another and begin to bridge divides.
Instead of avoiding topics, libraries have the power to encourage conversation, build understanding, and create connections between people who might not otherwise cross paths. Whether through inclusive programming, carefully curated collections, or simply offering a space where diverse voices can be heard, libraries can help communities come together—not by staying silent, but by embracing their role as facilitators of knowledge and understanding.
So, the real question isn’t whether libraries should try to be neutral but how they can use their influence to strengthen communities in meaningful ways.
References
Eastell, C. (2019, April). How libraries change lives [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/ciara_eastell_how_libraries_change_lives?language=en
Jensen, K. (2017, February 10). Libraries resist: A round-up of tolerance, social justice, & resistance in us libraries. Book Riot. https://bookriot.com/libraries-resist-round-tolerance-social-justice-resistance-us-libraries/
Ok-Librarian-8992. (2025, February 19). My library isn’t doing anything like this because it will reinforce the issue that patrons don’t want to hear. [Comment on the online forum post Economic blackout February 28]. Reddit. https://tinyurl.com/3a3syk9t