Wait, We’re Invited, Too? An Academic Social Justice Book Club for the Community (A Case Study)

Political tensions, racial reckoning, and rising book challenges have led to deeper polarization in the United States, especially in Pennsylvania, where there is already an even divide between liberals and conservatives. The increasing division led two librarians from the Susquehanna University Blough-Weis Library (2021) to initiate a Social Justice Book Club. This club aimed to unite the campus and local communities to grapple with social justice issues in a safe environment. Librarians had concerns when starting the club due to the regional tensions. Still, they were determined to find a way to safely allow everyone involved to learn more about social justice topics. In addition to safety concerns, the librarians had to consider the best way to gain interest and participation in a group intended for these different audiences, such as what type of material to read, where to meet, and more. There was initial success followed by hurdles that shaped the future of the book club. We hope sharing these challenges will inform others how to implement similar book clubs at their institutions.