Intentionality
/inˌten(t)SHəˈnalədē/
Noun
1. the fact or quality of being
done on purpose or with intent:
The author’s choice here may not have been intentionally racially
charged, but discrimination and prejudice
are often not rooted in intentionality.
2. an attitude of purposefulness,
with a commitment to deliberate action:
“Active hope” is a practice that does not require optimism; instead, it
requires intentionality.
My strongest “take away”from the
MLA/DLA 2025 Annual Conference was the importance of Intentionality, being
mindful and intentional when completing library tasks and performing library duties.
It can be difficult when things get hectic, but if you can slow down, take a
breath, and think about what you are doing, then you can better incorporate
best practices into your daily routine.
Maybe that means being aware that
marginalized people feel the greatest loss of digital privacy and incorporating
equity into privacy programming or anonymizing data when possible. Or it could
mean something as simple as making ready-to-print resources available such as How Secure Is My Password? flyers.
With digital resources it may be as
complex as revising metadata to ensure attribution and increase accessibility
or as simple as spreading the word about databases that document lesser-known
history such as Blacks of the Chesapeake.
When working with displays and marketing, it means being intentional not just
about diversity & ethnic representation, but also being intentional about
diversity of format, diversity of lived experience, and diversity of tone. Intentionality means focusing on materials
that are positive in tone, books where members of the group accomplish
something, not just materials relating what was done to them. (Though of course
some of the latter are necessary for education purposes, they should always be balanced
with some of the former.)
Intentionality means consciously
incorporating balance, equity, diversity, and accessibility. Like any practice,
it may be difficult at first, but as you practice and build the habit of
intentionality, it will become an inherent feature of your librarianship.
Dorothy
Reed
Adult
Services
