Img source: blacknews.com
May 31, 2024 Story by: Editor
Rodney Freeman, a digital production librarian at UNC Charlotte’s J. Murrey Atkins Library, is spearheading the creation of “Are You a Librarian: The Untold Story of Black Librarians,” a documentary delving into the rich history of Black librarianship.
Freeman’s role involves archiving documents, films, and photos, transforming them into digital formats to ensure wider accessibility. “In order for people to have access to this material here, it has to be digitized and online so they can find it,” Freeman emphasized, underlining his commitment to democratizing information access.
Inspired by encounters with Black male librarians at a national American Library Association conference, Freeman embarked on the documentary project. The film encompasses extensive research and numerous interviews with librarians, historians, college students, and recent graduates across the United States.
The documentary traces the journey of Black librarians from the era of slavery to the era of affirmative action, highlighting their pivotal role in both the Civil Rights Movement and the broader struggle for literacy and access to information.
Transitioning to the present, the documentary portrays the triumphs and challenges faced by contemporary Black librarians. Freeman, with 16 years of experience in the field, recalls how his career trajectory shifted from considering law school to embracing librarianship, influenced by experiences in Illinois where he witnessed the community-engagement initiatives of the library.
Despite encountering obstacles, including racism and microaggressions, Freeman remains steadfast in his dedication to the profession. With only 7% of librarians being Black according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Freeman hopes the documentary will inspire more Black individuals to pursue careers in librarianship, emphasizing, “They’ll start seeing we have a history, we belong in this field, and we helped shape this field.” Source: Spectrum News 1
Beyond increasing representation, Freeman aims to illuminate a neglected aspect of history. “This is a piece of history that is there, but it hasn’t been told,” he remarked. To capture diverse perspectives, Freeman and his team traveled extensively, including to California, to gather stories for the documentary.
Partially funded through a GoFundMe campaign, the documentary is slated to premiere at the 2025 American Library Association Conference in June, serving as a beacon for the ongoing narrative of Black librarianship.
