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In April of last year I wrote this piece for @latimesopinion about my work as a public librarian in D.C. leading to symptoms, and an eventual diagnosis of, PTSD:
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-oliver-librarian-the-public-movie-20190419-story.html
There was plenty of support, but some backlash.
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-oliver-librarian-the-public-movie-20190419-story.html
There was plenty of support, but some backlash.
Since the DC public libraries have closed, a former coworker of mine was finally able to focus on their mental health. They have been diagnosed with PTSD from their work at the same branch where I worked.
It is both heartbreaking, and maddeningly validating, to learn this.
It is both heartbreaking, and maddeningly validating, to learn this.
As of March 28, 2020, there are still hundreds of libraries, both academic and public, in the United States that are sending employees to work despite stay-at-home & shelter-in-place orders enacted at the local or state level.
Some librarians and library workers are being sent to shelters to help instead. Librarians are inadequately trained to be providing this care. Library workers have *always* done our best to research, request trainings, & advocate for help&support. This is why we're being tapped.
It is almost always at a colossal hit to our own mental and physical health. What we are seeing right now—public and academic libraries all over the country refusing to close—is evidence of the lack of support that I have been speaking about since pre-COVID-19.
@eminencefont has been tracking all of this very closely through her tweets and on a phenomenal website she created: http://closethelibraries.org/petitions.php
I urge you to get involved. For librarians, but also for the people of this country who rely on libraries for basic needs, not just books.
I urge you to get involved. For librarians, but also for the people of this country who rely on libraries for basic needs, not just books.
There is a profound deficit of services for vulnerable populations. Whether it's uncomfortable to hear or not, the fact is this: libraries and librarians are caretaking beyond their means. It is a systematic failure of our government, local, state, and federal.
We need to care now.
And we need to care so much more when this is over.
I plead with every level of government to turn to libraries and librarians as resources for how to be innovative, compassionate caregivers with equity and free access in mind.
And we need to care so much more when this is over.
I plead with every level of government to turn to libraries and librarians as resources for how to be innovative, compassionate caregivers with equity and free access in mind.
And I ask that they remember they treated us as essential workers and essential places of employment when they make financial decisions.
I ask library admins to LISTEN when their staff asks for better training, support, and care.
I ask library admins to LISTEN when their staff asks for better training, support, and care.
There are one million things to be filled with rage about, but if you are angry about people not being able to have adequate shelter, food, and basic care, we are angry about the exact same things.
But librarians & libraries can’t support people if they don’t have support, too.
But librarians & libraries can’t support people if they don’t have support, too.
One final note: the worst backlash I received for the @latimesopinion was from people saying I was “in the wrong field.” No. I was in the exact right field. But I did not have the right support to continue that work. I was self conscious for months after it published.
What’s happening right now—libraries not closing AND the many people left without help BECAUSE they’re closed—is part of why I have been fighting/yelling/writing so much. Close the libraries. And then have a real reckoning with who that harms and why.
