Unshelving When Inclusive Displays Make People Uncomfortable

 As many of you know, changes to laws in places like Arkansas and Florida are making passive readers advisory more challenging. There are legitimate reasons for library workers to be concerned. 

The most basic way to deal with this is to follow what I wrote in RUSQ in an article called "Inclusion as the Norm: The Power of Diverse Book Displays." I posted about it here including a link to the article which is free for anyone to read. Every book display or other passive readers advisory tool should include a wide variety of authors and publishers. Patrons are as curious as we are and want to find great books. Many of them are written by diverse authors. 

Promote the final book in the Harlem Trilogy, Colson Whitehead's Cool Machine , by putting up read alikes and books about New York City and 80's history. Add information about your holds lists and you will be spotlighting a book by an award winning author without mentioning anything that will draw activist attention. You can create a sign that says something about "While You Wait for This New Release" and a smaller sign with the name & author. Change it out regularly, using a wide variety of authors. 

Being more general with signage is a way to promote books without creating negative situations for staff. Try using - 

1960's History - There are likely many books on your shelves, fiction and non-fiction, that you can use. There are years like 1965, 1968, and 1969 in which there were many significant events. 

Step Into Their Shoes - Focus on biographies and memoirs

Places Far and Wide- Use fiction and non-fiction by international authors and books about places outside the United States

Even a display like this one for The Day of the Cowboy could have books about the Black, Chinese, and Native Experience during the Western Expansion. Don't forget books about women and the West. By doing this you are including many experiences rather than just one. 

There is also the option of not using a sign. Make your book displays mini-collections with lots of faceouts. The covers of the books will draw attention to the titles. I realize that creating signage is enjoyable for staff but if there is fear in your administration, it might be easier to forget it. Use easels on the shelves and focus on a book at the service desks. 

The purpose of a display is to merchandise your collection and help patrons find their next great read. The battle over libraries and the freedom to read will continue in the courts and legislatures. We can still promote our entire collections and the wide variety of books in those collections.