Decentering Whiteness in Libraries: A Framework for Inclusive Collection Management Practices

Jamison (school librarianship, Illinois State Univ.) offers a practical yet heartfelt guide to understanding diversity inequities in libraries and assessing, clarifying, and reworking collection development policies. The book is divided into two main sections. Part one provides background on the Library Bill of Rights and outlines the importance of inclusive collection development policies. Part two gives librarians tools, notably the Jamison Measure of Diversity (J-MOD) tool, to assist with assessing current policies and targeting areas that need improvement. Jamison digs into best practices for writing inclusive policies, including an outstanding, sample-rich discussion of concrete recommendations for reframing, providing context, creating specificity, and connecting policies to the Library Bill of Rights. Tables, lists of recommended resources, clearly defined objectives, lists of major concepts, and discussion questions round out the book, making this a resource that librarians can revisit as they develop their collection development strategies and policies.