Divisive Politics and Threats to Academic Libraries

Libraries and the expertise of library professionals have been under direct, political threat since 2021. Book bans and criminalization efforts have targeted both library professionals and educators in schools and public libraries, but higher education and academic librarians will not escape the societal dividers being wedged into place. If the goal is to destabilize society and shake the foundations of democracy, libraries, schools, and colleges and universities will continue to find themselves in the crosshairs of this cultural conflict. Humanities, Liberal Arts, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion have been maligned and are being diminished, language itself is being redefined to fit a narrative. Research freedoms are being tested and information literacy faces an onslaught of mis- and disinformation and partisan investigations. While there will be no direct attacks on academic library professionals, self-censorship, program and course elimination, and conservative scrutiny of funding, endowments, and research areas will impact academic libraries and their content and technology providers. These same provocations can serve as catalysts for library professionals to step up, provide resources, and serve the needs of their institutions. In an information war information, professionals are the best guides within the academic community to confront these assaults.