Libraries Respond to #MeToo Movement

By Julia Eisenstein

Libraries have long been in the forefront when it comes to responding to social justice issues. The current focus on the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements are no exception.

Me Too began in 2006 to focus attention on women of color who have been victims of sexual abuse. #MeToo exploded last fall when actress Alyssa Milano used it to highlight the magnitude of the problem of sexual harassment. The film industry later created Time’s Up, an initiative to fight sexual harassment in the workplace.

Libraries are getting involved. In Ingham County Michigan, the sight of the recent trial of Larry Nasser, the former Michigan State University (MSU) physician who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting hundreds of female athletes, East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) is responding to this stress occurring in their community. ELPL has offered space to city and MSU leaders and student groups for community conversations. ELPL recently screened the film The Mask You Live In followed by a panel discussion. The movie follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s idea of masculinity. Pressured by the media, their peer group, and even the adults in their lives, the boys confront messages encouraging them to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, objectify and degrade women, and resolve conflicts through violence. ELPL has book displays on harassment and abuse. ELPL regularly hosts a Social Justice Reading Group for children ages 4-11. The reading group is designed to engage youth in critical exploration of social justice topics through children's literature. Librarians and community volunteers lead the group. In March, the topic will focus on Women’s Rights and Gender Justice. Another event relevant to the #MeToo movement is planned for April.

In December, the Lawrence Public Library in Lawrence, Kansas hosted a panel discussion with area film professionals and scholars to discuss the recent allegations of sexual misconduct in Hollywood and the politics of power in the workplace. About 40 people attended and a meaningful discussion took place.

The University of Minnesota (U of M) Libraries runs a regular blog titled A Matter of Facts. Kimberly Clarke and Karen Carmody-McIntosh wrote the February 7 post Me Too: Hashtag and Social Movement. In it contains links to resources regarding the origin of the #MeToo movement Helpful books, ebooks, databases, journal articles are available only to U of M faculty and students, but the Newspaper, Magazine articles and websites are available for anyone to view.

Many academic libraries are creating LibGuides on sexual harassment providing links to resources for both scholars who are researching sexual harassment and survivors of sexual harassment. Examples include Tulane University’s Howard Tilton Memorial Library guide on Sexual Violence Prevention Resources, the University Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign guide on Sexual Harassment, and New York’s Adelphi University guide on Sexual Harassment Resources.

As they have consistently done when issues affect their communities, libraries are responding and the #MeToo movement is no exception.

Thanks to Kristin Shelley, Director, East Lansing Public Library and Kristin Coper, Events Coordinator, Lawrence Public Library for their contributions to this article.

Last updated 3/9/2018