The Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture presented at the annual conference of the American Library Association (ALA) is tribute to the work of Jean E. Coleman to ensure that all citizens, particularly Native Americans and adult learners, have access to quality library services. Dr. Coleman directed the ALA, Office for Literacy and Outreach Services (OLOS) which served the Association by identifying and promoting library services that support equitable access to the knowledge and information stored in our libraries.[1] OLOS focused attention on services that are inclusive of traditionally underserved populations, including new and non-readers, people geographically isolated, people with disabilities, rural and urban poor people, and people generally discriminated against based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identification, age, language and social class. The Jean E. Coleman lecture is now sponsored by the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS).[2]
The Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture series is an opportunity for library workers to learn more about their roles in providing equity of access. The Social Responsibilities Round Table Action Council of the American Library Association approved the following testimonial to the work of African American librarian Jean Coleman in outreach during her work from 1973 to 1986 for the ALA Office for Library Outreach Services (now Office for Literacy and Outreach Services: OLOS):
Jean Coleman ... was outstanding in her willingness to listen to the members of the groups she worked with and to make their wishes effective, translating ideas into action and program, unlike the model of the staff who organizes the agenda and steers the meetings in a controlled setting.
She offered her services especially warmly to the minority librarians and those from small libraries, and did not play a career-promoting role of special services for the powerful. She therefore fully represented the original concerns of ALA in proposing the many outreach organizations and diverse programs under the OLOS umbrella.
She is especially missed by those who found in her the education to become competent officers and received from her the support to make their groups effective.[3]
So important were her contributions to the world of diversity in librarianship, that in 1999 it was noted that the Smithsonian Institution accepted two items for its collection from Coleman's estate, including two Apache toy cradle boards, and a sand painting.[4]
Barbara J. Ford was the inaugural Jean E. Coleman Lecturer.
Legacy
For background on the development of outreach services in U.S. libraries The evolution of library outreach 1960–75[5] provides historical background in the context of the War on Poverty.
Jean Coleman's legacy is the evolving mission of the Office of Literacy and Outreach Services. This also includes the ideals of equity of access. Carla Hayden chose equity of access as her theme when she was American Library Association president (2003–04). A book written during Hayden's presidency, From outreach to equity: Innovative models of library policy and practice includes an introduction coauthored by Satia Marshall Orange (director, OLOS, 1997–2009). The book suggests reframing outreach based on equity rather than underserved populations.[6]
A report highlighting the work of OLOS was initiated by President Hayden, Rocks in the Whirlpool: Equity of Access and the American Library Association[7] which examined unifying visions for equity of access and making new technologies work for human development.
Satia Marshall Orange, 2019 lecturer, gave a history of the series in her presentation, "Backstories: Reflections of the Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture: 2000–2019".[8]
"Creando Enlaces y Abriendo Puertas: Creating connections and establishing trust to provide welcoming inclusive services for historically excluded communities."[9]
2022
Jeanie Austin, Jail and reentry services librarian at the San Francisco Public Library. Author, Library Services and Incarceration.[10]
"Creativity, Learning and Free Expression in Carceral Contexts." Panelists: Nicole Shawan Junior, Deputy Director of PEN America Prison and Justice Writing and Kurtis Tanaka, program manager for justice initiatives at Ithaka S+R.[11]
2021
Aaron LaFromboise, Director, Library Services, Medicine Spring Library, Blackfeet Community College and community library/archives for the Blackfeet Nation.
"Mirroring Community in the Library: Growing momentum for Tribal libraries and Tribal librarianship."[12]
2020
no Lecture
2019
Satia Marshall Orange, director of American Library Association Office for Literacy and Outreach (OLOS) now the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS).In 2022 ALA established an endowment honoring Orange.[13]
"Backstories: Reflections of the Jean E. Coleman Library Outreach Lecture: 2000–2019"[14][15]
2018
no lecture
2017
Janice Rice, retired Outreach Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries.[16]
“Visions of the Web: Indigenous Values, Voices and Literacy.”
2016
Andrew P. Jackson (Sekou Molefi Baako), director emeritus of Queens Library Langston Hughes Community and Cultural Center.[17]
Lecture on his extensive library outreach to schools, libraries, organizations, cultural institutions, correctional facilities, churches and academic arenas.
For her efforts to keep the Library and its branches open and continually engaged with the community during the civil unrest in the wake of the death of Freddie Gray in April 2015.
Supporting literacy, promoting LIS education through an emphasis on practice, and establishing programs for workplace wellness.
2012
Carol A. Brey-Casiano, Director of libraries for El Paso, Texas, and president of the ALA.
Library advocacy and outreach notably to Spanish-Speaking patrons.[20]
2011
Robert Wedgeworth, University Librarian and Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois; Former President and CEO, ProLiteracy Worldwide; Former Executive Director, American Library Association.
"Literacy in Libraries: Challenges and Opportunities.[21]
Kathleen Mayo, consultant to State Library and Archives of Florida, improving library programs for Florida's correctional, mental health, and developmental disabilities services.
"The Challenges and Opportunities of Serving America’s Elders."
"Lies in the libraries: changing the image of gay and lesbian from abnormal to acceptance."[25]
2006
Carla D. Hayden, CEO, Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, named Library Journal National Librarian of the Year in 1995.Hayden appointed Librarian of Congress in 2016.
Sanford Berman, sought to correct biased headings in the Library of Congress Subject Headings, worked to ensure libraries work more with the poor and homeless, founded the ALA's Hunger, Homeless and Poverty Task Force.
"Classism in the Stacks: Libraries and Poverty."[27]
2004
Richard Chabrán, chair, California Community Technology Policy Group (CCTPG), works to narrow the digital divide to schools and libraries in California. Sought to promote multicultural librarianship and assists libraries in serving low-income and underserved communities.
"Answering the Call: How the FCC’s Definition of Information Service Threatens the Future of Universal Service."[28]
2003
Thelma H. Tate, Professor, Global Outreach Services Coordinator, New Brunswick Libraries, Rutgers University Libraries
"Unserved and Underserved Populations: Empowering People for Productivity in the 21st Century."[29]
^2016. “Interview: Mary Ghikas on Merging the ALA Office For Diversity and the ALA Office For Literacy and Outreach Services.” SRRT Newsletter Social Responsibilities Round Table), no. 194 (March): 12.
^Jean Coleman Testimonial. Library Journal. May 1, 1987, p. 19.
^Weibel, Kathleen. 1983. The evolution of library outreach 1960-75 and its effect on reader services: some considerations. [Champaign]: University of Illinois, Graduate School of Library and Information Science.
^Osborne, Robin. 2004. From outreach to equity innovative models of library policy and practice. Chicago: American Library Association.
