Libraries Rise: Lisa McLymont

We asked visual artist, designer, and social justice advocate Lisa McLymont four important questions about racial injustice and inequity as well as how libraries have responded and could address.

What are your thoughts on racial inequality and injustice today?

My thoughts mainly hover around me creatively putting myself where I am both reasonably safe and where I can promote Blackness in positive ways, possibly helping to redefine what allies see and react to as they work to dismantle hate in places where Blacks can’t be heard. The fight of Black people is to protect and lift each other, while the fight of white people is to dismantle the systemic racism that plagues a majority of our world and empowers those who think less of us to oppress and terrorize us. Before I die, I’d like to see hate beat back deep into the shadows and see equality and equity prevail. We have such a long way to go and much work to do.

Have you seen libraries respond?

Yes, by providing access to materials during the pandemic and allowing families to use resources like Wi-Fi when they don’t have it at home. I believe books are mental getaways that our bodies may never be able to travel to, freedom in pockets where everyday we are reminded that some do not think we belong here. Books provide knowledge and inspiration about all the reasons why we do belong here.

The recent large book club event was a smart move by the library!* I’m sorry to have missed out on the author discussion.

Could libraries do more? If so, how?

More discussions on race and inequality, and also on how intricately tied we all are though we are white/black, male/female, queer/straight, rich/poor, abled/disabled, young/old, etc. We can use what libraries have to offer by learning to find commonality and working to erase the boundaries limiting us all.

Any closing thoughts?

None right now.

*Let’s Talk About Race: One Book – One Community. Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) partnered with eight central Ohio library systems for a citywide reading initiative. The selected book was STAMPED: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, and the initiative culminated with a discussion with Jason Reynolds on January 24, 2021.

Libraries Rise: Black Perspective on Libraries

Cbus Libraries asked six leaders inside and out of libraries their thoughts on racial injustice and inequality. All responses are the leaders’ personal reflections and not necessarily representative of the organizations they are part of. The six-part feature will be serialized over the months of February and March, 2021. Check back weekly on Mondays for the latest feature and follow our tag, #LibrariesRise.

About Cbus Libraries

Cbus Libraries’ mission is to champion Central Ohio libraries, library enthusiasts and the love of reading. Co-founded by two librarians, Andrea Dixon and Bryan Loar, Cbus Libraries reaches more than 9,000 online followers worldwide, features Central Ohio libraries, has raised more than $1,100 in scholarship funds for librarians of color and has gifted over 5,000 books to the community. Cbus Libraries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.