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An introduction is presented in which editor discusses various articles within the issue on topics including emergence of neoliberalism undermined democracy by posing direct challenges to libraries, women's acceptance of digital technology and practices in LIS professions.

The article offers information on the constant changes to periodical and several members of the periodical's editorial board. Topics discussed include the changing landscape of the libraries in the U.S.; the diversity problem in the periodical's staff; and the editorial board members, such as Michelle Caswell, Ricardo L. Punzalan and Michael Crandall.

The engagement of the US federal government with libraries has been disjointed. Financial support for libraries has been controversial and inconsistent, and many policy decisions have directly affected library operations and activities, particularly those of public libraries. Libraries' experiences with the federal government offer many lessons about the broad ideological attitude toward--and constraints on--library support before the 2016 election. These lessons have import for all publicsphere institutions as they navigate the even more complicated current environment. This article argues that the best hope for library funding and support is to concentrate efforts at the local and state levels, coordinating efforts and sharing ideas and resources across locations and types of institutions. A national advocacy strategy coordinated across the states will maximize advocacy efforts where we may have a greater chance of success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the aftermath of the 2016 U.S. presidential election for libraries. The outcome of the election and the policies that were implemented since the 2017 inauguration pose many challenges for the activities and roles of libraries including the inclusion of people with disabilities, the defunding and closure of federal agencies that support libraries, and the closure of public and school libraries.

While much discussion of information literacy in librarianship has focused on the educational roles that librarians play in promoting information literacy among the communities they serve, the information literacy education of librarians themselves has not received much attention. In response to an article written by the authors of this chapter, a surprisingly large number of librarians responded to them to try to contradict the assertions of their article using what was clearly disinformation. Drawing upon these attempts by librarians to spread misinformation in a professional context, this discussion explores the ways in which a lack of critical information literacy among information professionals can impact the ability of libraries and librarians to support their communities. This chapter also considers ways in which the librarians and library professional organizations could work to promote critical information literacy among current and future members of the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This chapter summarizes the core human rights and social justice functions of libraries. Methodology/approach: After reviewing how each chapter of this edited volume offers evidence of libraries' clear contributions in the area of human rights and social justice, this chapter explores in greater detail how the current environment in which libraries operate impacts their ability to promote human rights and social justice. Findings: In many communities, libraries are the only institution capable of fulfilling a wide array of social justice and human rights roles. As they seek to fulfill these roles, however, libraries face significant challenges related to the lack of emphasis on considerations of human rights and social justice within the pedagogy, research, and practice of our field. Originality/value: This chapter serves as a call to action for library practitioners, educators, and researchers to better articulate the social justice and human rights roles of libraries to policy-makers, funders, politicians, and community members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This chapter introduces the role that libraries play in promoting and fostering human rights and social justice within the communities they serve. In describing this role, it highlights the different ways in which information intersects with human rights and social justice. Methodology/approach: This chapter offers a brief review of the existing body of literature related to human rights and social justice in the field of library and information science (LIS). After articulating the need for this edited volume, we introduce the four sections in this book: Conceptualizing Libraries as Institutions of Human Rights and Social Justice; Library Services to Marginalized Populations; Human Rights and Social Justice Issues in LIS Professions; and Human Rights and Social Justice Issues in LIS Education. Findings: The social roles and responsibilities of libraries have expanded greatly in recent years. These roles and responsibilities, however, are not often framed within the discourse of human rights or social justice. Together, the chapters in this book--written by researchers, educators, and professionals--paint a comprehensive picture of the broad range of roles and contributions of libraries in human rights and social justice. Originality/value: This chapter introduces a book that explores the current efforts of libraries to meet a wide range of community needs (including education, employment, social services, civic participation, and digital inclusion) through the lenses of human rights and social justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the special issue on libraries in the U.S.

Due to an increasing reliance on public libraries to deliver government services online, coupled with decreasing funding for public services, many public libraries have begun to collaborate with local government agencies and community organizations to provide vital services to their communities. Drawing upon findings made through an extensive literature review, site visits at a number of public libraries across the country, and interviews with state library staff, government officials, and community organization leaders, this paper highlights the e-government service roles of public libraries, the innovative partnerships between community groups, government agencies, and public libraries in the realm of e-government, and the impacts of these services and partnerships on communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces that two articles within the issue including "Teens, Technology, and Libraries: An Uncertain Relationship" by Denise E. Agosto and colleagues have won the Jesse H. Shera Award for Distinguished Published Research, highlighting the importance of academic journals.