Forming An Alliance: Library Relationships with Local DIY Communities

Short Session Description: Outreach and community engagement are tenants of librarianship, and yet many librarians fall considerably short. Libraries advocate for social justice, independent music, zines, harm reduction or disadvantaged youth without consulting or citing their local active communities: punk rock and hip hop scenes, zine creators, needle exchanges, or direct action activists. Community engagement is more than events or collection building-- it’s creating and sustaining equal partner relationships with community groups. Librarian culture expects us to be independently DIY, but there are provincial experts who are willing to work with, and legitimize, our library programming.

Session Format & Style: Discussion round table

Takeaways: Participants will leave with informed knowledge of DIY community operations, concrete action plans, and (if time allows) a personalized list of local contacts to reach out to.

Organization: Fully formed

Contact Information:

Donna Baluchi

University of Utah

Library Supervisor; Public Services

donna.baluchi@utah.edu; 801-581-5534