Any CILIP members?

[RhubarbCrumbled]

I'm at the CILIP conference and this is a tweet from the LGBTQ+ network. It came after I raised a perfectly legitimate query about support for GC librarians after the Julie Bindel cancellation and complaints about transphobic books. I'm meeting with Nick Poole tomorrow but would appreciate emails / tweets to him in support.

Thank you for tackling this Rhubarb. Out of interest - did Nick Poole actually condemn the dinosaur tweet?

No, that particular tweet hasn't been publicly condemned but there are behind the scenes discussions going on. The tweet is going to be taken down soon but I (and it seems many others!) have the screenshots.

I do have to say that I've been really impressed with how CILIP staff have dealt with this so far. They're open to discussion and understand the complexity of getting TRAs to actually accept there are other beliefs. We'll have to see what happens next but so far so good.

Thank you for highlighting this @RhubarbCrumbled

Nicholas Poole has tweeted this (& it's retweeted by the clip lgbt network)

"I include my pronouns on my email signature as a basic act of civility. It's not "woke", it's manners and it helps create a more inclusive environment for everyone."

I have seen that and brought it up as part of the complaint. I've been clear that what he does on a personal account needs to be separate from a CILIP account. It may be becoming clear that this can't be ignored.

@RhubarbCrumbled I see Maya Forstater (shero) posted a link to the tweet. Quite a few outraged librarians in the comments so maybe a source of recruits for any group or network that gets set up. twitter.com/MForstater/status/1545161102375505920

Sounds positive so far from Cilip.

Original tweet seems to have been deleted, hopefully because they've realised how badly it's gone down, more likely they think all the replies were tRaNsFoBiC

Ex Cilip member here, but willing to rejoin to help the cause.

OP thank you for doing this. More power to you.

CILIP member here. Thank you so much for raising this, and glad to see the tweet has been deleted.

Will definitely be looking out for the Women’s Network!

Awesome! If members rejoin in support of women then we're doing something right!

Brilliant! Apparently this still needs to go through some 'official' processes but it's very firmly on the radar especially if others raise the question of why we don't have the women's network that was promised in 2020.

Anybody on here involved with Drag Queen Story Hour? If so, any insights on how this got imto libraries?

www.gbnews.uk/news/librarians-urged-to-call-drag-queens-pantomime-dames-to-fool-story-time-protesters/346016

I find this totally unprofessional. Libraries Connected and the Library Campaign both seem to be totally captured. twitter.com/whileromeburns_/status/1553405154770276352?t=4ZyTaEeFZkLWRrkWASPS7A&s=19

Was there ever any discussion on the appropriateness of drag Q storytimes for young children? Libraries are sadly not coming out of this well

I don't want to muddy the waters with my own situation, but it would be interesting to see the evidence supporting the claimed positive outcomes for this. I've tried to find it but am having difficulty. Many public library colleagues are as skeptical and worried about this too but don't feel they can speak up.

Maybe a letter to CILIP asking about their support for this and asking for the evidence?

Would CILIP be covered by the FOIA? If so, it might be worth a request.

Oh FFS - have you seen this?
twitter.com/CILIPinfo/status/1620784238768361472

I include my pronouns on my email signature as a basic act of civility. It's not "woke", it's manners and it helps create a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Far from inclusive, and very bad manners in pressuring people who have a moral objection to taking part.