Sticks and Stones: Coping with the Abusive Language of Library Critics
Session Description
In this session, we will examine rhetoric that has been used by book banners and other library critics to accuse and discredit library workers. Many of the communication techniques we see being used in these high-conflict situations are similar to the communication patterns identified in abusive dynamics. This session will explore and explain these communication techniques so that participants can identify them in real time. The hope of this session is that, by learning to recognize these communication patterns, library staff members will feel less mentally and emotionally affected by high-conflict interactions and empowered to develop appropriate coping strategies.
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Learning Outcomes
- Identify abusive communication patterns and behavior often seen in rhetoric that is critical of libraries and library workers;
- Prepare advance strategies and talking points for diffusing high-conflict interactions with book banners or library critics;
- Develop coping strategies to use after a high-conflict interaction with a book banner, or library critic, has taken place.
Presenter: Darcy Lipp-Acord
Darcy Lipp-Acord currently works as the Collection Development Manager for Laramie County Library System in Cheyenne, WY. In her previous experience, she has worked as a Deputy Director, and as a Youth Services Librarian in other Wyoming public library systems.
In all these systems, she has worked with library staff who have been mentally and emotionally affected by political rhetoric targeting books, libraries, and librarians. Darcy has advocated for helping library staff recognize abusive language and behavior when it is used, and for empowering staff to develop strategies to cope. She has presented her work at the Young Adult Library Services Symposium, in an ALA e-learning webinar, and to several regional conferences, small libraries, and university classes.
