Foundations of Social Justice

Cooke’s important text, suitable for both graduate and undergraduate courses as well as current practitioners, outlines and examines the components of social justice that are most compelling and relevant for the library and information professions.

Libraries serve all types of communities and diverse populations, and they are also part of the communities being served. As such, library staff need to be familiar with and capable of the social justice work that will allow them to advocate for, protect, and enhance their communities. Cooke, past winner of the ALA Equality Award and an acclaimed scholar, introduces this seminal concept to those new to the social justice lens, while also offering an authoritative and enlightening overview for those who are already familiar. Readers will

• learn about the five main principles of social justice (access to resources, equity, participation, diversity, and human rights) and their historical context;
• understand how these principles apply to the practice of librarianship, both as aspirational goals and in day-to-day work;
• discover why common assumptions and misconceptions about social justice work can be toxic and are often counterproductive;
• explore topics such as social justice consciousness raising, action and advocacy, cultural competence, and anti-racism;
• get to know about relevant and related issues, including intersectionality, critical race theory, social justice storytelling, and critical pedagogies;
• practice self-reflection through compelling exercises and activities included throughout the text; and
• be introduced to a hand-picked selection of key literature and sources that will illuminate the concept and encourage further study.