Micromanagement' is now being used to euphemistically encompass the concerns of social responsibility advocates. Reviewing the history of social responsibility in librarianship reveals a persistent set of binary oppositions. The initial antithesis between intellectual freedom and social responsibility forms part, but not all, of the oppositions at work. The dichotomy leads to a kind of 'self fulfilling prophecy'. It is not meant to establish dialogue and debate but to silence it.
Critics accuse that their 'political' interests as 'citizens' overtake their 'professional duties'.
Their activism is seen as a threat to librarianship's professional integrity. This 'minority' is disruptive and detracts from 'library issues'. While the profession is interested in 'reasonable' problems, social responsibility advocates loudly 'micromanage', detracting from 'legitimate social awareness'. This polemical discourse masks the political differences at work. Instead of engaging the political interests of social responsibility advocates discussion is simply silenced.