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����Aspirations and Resistance�Conducting library history research �to unlock the narratives of �UK-based (community) librarians of colour and �their anti-racist work��Sae Matsuno�King’s College London���

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A deep well (or a tall tree) of questions

2018

Why are there so few of us –

UK-based librarians of colour?

Silence

2019

Where are they?

Attending events

Organizing events

2021

Who have been before us?

2022

What stories are there to tell?

Historical research

Archival research

Dissertation

2024

What can I do, so that their work will be more recognized?

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to

  • Marilyn Clarke
  • Alison Hicks
  • Alice Corble
  • Nenna Orie Chuku

Inspired by

  • Alberta Whittle
  • Rohan Ayinde

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Content notes

  • My dissertation addresses the issues of intersectional racism in the history of British librarianship.
  • Each attendee has their own life experiences.
  • Some of you may find my topic emotionally challenging.
  • Please take the necessary steps for your emotional safety.

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Research and writing:�A slow process of creating space

  • To foreground the forgotten work of (community) librarians of colour who were active in Britain during the 1970’s and 1980’s
                • Ann Thompson
                • Jaswinder Gundara
                • Ziggi Alexander

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This is how the story begins…

Dissertation introduction

  • Ann Thompson, “Racism, Libraries and Book Selection” in Dragons Teeth (vol.3, iss.4, 1982, pp.4-5)

Image reproduced for the purpose of review

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Sites of primary literature search

  • University College London (UCL)
    • Dragons Teeth (all 37 issues)
  • UCL and The British Library
    • Journals (1960s – 1980s)
      • The Assistant Librarian
      • Library Association Record
      • Race Today

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Sites of archival research

  • UCL, Institute of Education
    • Marina Foster Papers
    • Jagdish Gundara Papers
  • George Padmore Institute, London
    • Archives relating to John La Rose
  • (National Museums Liverpool)
    • Dorothy Kuya Archive

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Archival materials

  • Meeting minutes
  • Letters
  • Hand-written notes
  • Pamphlets
  • Posters
  • Book fair participation forms

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Conceptual framework:�Avtar Brah’s diaspora space

  • Ugandan-British sociologist/activist of Indian origin
  • Profoundly influenced by the work of Stuart Hall
  • Developed the idea of ‘diaspora space’ through her feminist research into:
    • migration
    • settlement
    • globalization of ‘differently marked ethnicities’

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Building a new landscape of information

  • Historical research as a way of breaking silence
    • Understand the past
    • Navigate the present
    • Envision the future
  • Challenging but liberating
  • Ever-unfinished conversation

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