Renate Chancellor, associate professor and dean for DEIA at Syracuse University School of Information Studies, released her newest book in late July, “Breaking Glass Ceilings: Clara Stanton Jones and the Detroit Public Library.”
Chancellor is launching the book at the Detroit Public Library on Sept. 21.
Her book tells the story of Jones, who was the first woman to direct a major public library system in the U.S. and the first African American president of the American Library Association. Her appointment as the director of the Detroit Public Library in 1970 resulted in a public backlash against her hiring. Two members of the library board resigned and library commissioners refused to honor her the supplementary salary that was to be paid to the incoming director.
She rose to the height of her profession through her community outreach and efforts to fight against racism and sexism. One of her significant achievements was the passage of the Resolution on Racism and Sexism Awareness while she was president of the American Library Association.
“As someone who experienced many intersectional oppressions, she was able to push through and accomplish many things in her profession,” Chancellor said. “As the first African American elected as president of the American Library Association, she led efforts to encourage librarians to be conscious about the experience of library users and staff to problems of racism and sexism.”
Jones’s signature program at the Detroit Public Library was The Information Place (TIP), which helped connect people from underserved communities with information that would improve their daily lives. Her model was adopted by five other library systems and is still thriving today.
“Jones’s work on social justice has impacted libraries on several levels,” Chancellor said. “And I learned that there are many more Black librarians who have made outstanding contributions to the field, but are hidden figures. Their stories should be told.”
In her role at the iSchool, Chancellor has been a thought leader on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility and serves as associate dean for DEIA. She has also published widely in the areas of critical cultural information studies, equity, diversity and inclusion, and social justice in informational contexts.
“Social justice is a prevailing theme throughout my courses,” Chancellor said. “In the IST 511, I not only highlight Jones’s efforts on social justice, but other librarians who have done the work. Many years ago I developed a ‘library luminary’ assignment where students delve into the professional career and contributions of pioneering librarians such as Jones. Students present on these luminaries, so the class can learn about efforts that they may not have known.”
Chancellor’s book is available for sale at Amazon and was published by Rowman & Littlefield.