Transformative Library and Information Work

Intended to be an accessible guide to transformational information work, the book collects approximately thirty brief case studies of information related organizations, initiatives, and/or projects that focus on social justice related activities. Each case is a short narrative account of its particular subject’s history, objectives, accomplishments, and challenges faced. It also describes the material realities involved in the subjects’ day-to-day operation. Furthermore, cases include pertinent excerpts from interviews conducted with individuals directly involved with the information organization and will conclude with three-to-five bulleted takeaway points for information workers to consider when developing their own praxis

"This book gathers together thirty profiles of radical, progressive, and alternative information organizations and libraries, initiatives, and programs. The authors refer to these initiatives and organizations as transformative library and information projects. ....A book of this caliber and focus is long overdue for our profession, and the authors have done a tremendous job of providing relevant and timely research and information on these transformative groups and projects."—E-RESOURCES REVIEWS

"Honing in on a multiplicity of bodies for smaller groups and sub-groups in society may seem divisive, but the purpose is to ensure that the targeted groups receive library- and information-related specialised services. The providers may indeed be libraries for their local communities, or the initiatives of non-librarians employing information and support service techniques. The value of this stimulating collection exists in the ‘snack-size’ reports about these case studies, and often the interviews with those who have instigated them. There is no survey of users’ comments on these transformative projects, so that success may only be measured by the longevity of some and the thriving of others, which suggest that the concepts are worth considering. The descriptions of the various projects are easy to read and to consider – to adopt and adapt or reject by the reader – but well worth the effort of seeing what is happening elsewhere."—Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association