LIBRARIANS THE REAL SUPERHEROES IN A MAGA WORLD ARE UNDER ATTACK
In a world where knowledge is power and books are the gateways to infinite wisdom, there exists a group of unsung heroes who tirelessly dedicate their lives to the preservation and dissemination of information. They are the librarians, the guardians of public knowledge, and they are under attack. But fear not, dear readers, for this is no ordinary battle. It is a battle of wits, a battle of words, and above all, a battle that will be fought with humor and wit.
The city of Oakland, known for its vibrant culture and progressive values, is home to a group of librarians who have recently found themselves feeling "more unsafe" than ever before. According to an internal report obtained by The Oaklandside, these fearless warriors of literature have been subjected to verbal abuse and threatening interactions. But let's not dwell on the negative, for even in the face of adversity, our librarians remain resolute and unyielding.
Commissioned by the library system in June 2022, the report was conducted by an Oakland-based mediation consultant. Its findings were both enlightening and concerning. Some library staff members considered the abuse they faced as "part of the job". Now, I don't know about you, but if my job description included being insulted and threatened on a regular basis, I would seriously reconsider my career choices. But not our librarians! They have chosen to stand tall, armed with knowledge and armed with humor.
The report also identified a lack of training for employees dealing with patrons experiencing mental health and other crises. Now, I'm no expert, but I would assume that training in psychology and crisis intervention was not part of the librarian job description. And yet, our brave librarians have taken on this responsibility with grace and aplomb. They have become masters of empathy, experts in diffusing tense situations with a well-timed joke or a witty retort.
But it's not just the lack of training that our librarians face. They also need better support from upper management. Imagine fighting battles on multiple fronts - battling against lawmakers seeking to ban books and reduce funding, and fending off far-right extremists who have targeted LGBTQ+ literature and events. It's like being a superhero without a cape or a sidekick. But fear not, dear readers, for our librarians are not alone. They have the support of their fellow book lovers, their loyal patrons, and the power of humor on their side.
Now, let's take a moment to appreciate the irony of this situation. Libraries, the very institutions that are meant to promote free thought and open dialogue, are under attack by those who seek to suppress knowledge and control information. It's like going to a comedy show and demanding that all jokes be censored. It's like going to a buffet and demanding that only one type of cuisine be served. It's like going to a library and demanding that only one perspective be allowed. It's absurd!
But fear not, dear readers, for our librarians are here to save the day. Armed with their encyclopedic knowledge and their quick wit, they are ready to face any challenge that comes their way.
So let us raise our metaphorical glasses to these brave warriors of knowledge, these defenders of free thought. Let us celebrate their resilience, their humor, and their unwavering commitment to the pursuit of truth. And let us remember that in the battle between ignorance and enlightenment, it is our librarians who will always emerge victorious.
Long live the librarians! Long live public knowledge! And long live laughter in the face of adversity!
Oakland librarians feel ‘more unsafe’ than ever, internal report says https://oaklandside.org/2023/09/12/oakland-public-libraries-security-safety-report/?utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=gnews&utm_campaign=CDAqEAgAKgcICjC7yZsLMP_TswMw5e3QAQ&utm_content=rundown