num_pages: 210
description: Who are libraries for how have they evolved and why do they fill so many roles in our society today? Based on firsthand experiences from six years of professional work as a librarian in high-poverty neighborhoods of Washington DC as well as interviews and research Overdue begins with Oliver's first day at an unusual branch: Northwest One. Using her experience at this branch allows Oliver to highlight the national problems that have existed in libraries since they were founded: racism segregation and class inequalities. These age-old problems have evolved into police violence the opioid epidemic rampant houselessness and lack of mental health care nationwideall of which come to a head in public library spaces. Can public librarians continue to play the many roles they are tasked with? Can American society sustain one of its most noble institutions?Pushing against hundreds of years of stereotypes romanticization and discomfort with a call to reckoning Overdue will change the way you think about libraries forever.
language: English
title: Overdue: Reckoning with the Public Library
publisher: Chicago Review Press