Books

Why Police Shouldn’t Be in Libraries (And How to Help


master mentalism tricks

TW: Racism and police violence

Libraries are an essential public institution. Beyond borrowing books for free, think of all the other things you can likely use your local library for: computer and internet access, space to work, assistance with research, a cheap place to print (because who owns a printer anymore?), resources to build skills and find a job, and more. Plus, as the social safety net has been eroded, libraries have filled the gap. Some offer childcare, food distribution, passport applications, etc. Increasingly, they’re also de-facto shelters, where people experiencing homelessness can rest, access electricity and a bathroom, and escape from extreme weather.

All of this hinges on the library being a safe, accessible space for everyone. So why are there police in libraries, compromising this very safety?

The Call to Abolish Policing in Libraries

In 2020, with the increased attention on the Black Lives Matter movement, several activist groups, including the Library Freedom Project and the Abolitionist Library Association, have advocated for libraries to not only say Black Lives Matter but to look within their institutions and end police power in libraries.

Check Your Shelf Newsletter

Sign up to receive Check Your Shelf, the Librarian’s One-Stop Shop For News, Book Lists, And More.

Thank you for signing up! Keep an eye on your inbox.

By signing up you agree to our terms of use

Police are present in many library systems in several ways. First, many libraries contract with police or security officers (often managed by police departments) to provide security and surveillance. For example, the Los Angeles Public Library has spent over $1 million each year since 2013 on security provided by LAPD Security Services, up to a proposed $10.4 million in 2021. But it doesn’t stop there. Police officers are also part of library events, like handing out library cards on the streets of L.A. or hosting Coffee with a Cop or Police Officer Storytime events. The prison industrial complex is upheld even further with some libraries, which use furniture created by incarcerated workers.

“When we call police to deal with patron issues, rather than investing in our own deescalation strategies and alternatives, we are risking police violence, especially against our most vulnerable patrons,” read an open statement by the Library Freedom Project. They note that police violence and brutality has occurred repeatedly within libraries, such as the killing of Kevin Allen in a New Jersey library and other violent attacks. This makes the library an unsafe place, especially for BIPOC, disabled, and otherwise marginalized patrons, who are disproportionately harmed by police violence.

Bookshelves in a library in Seattle | Why Police Shouldn't Be in Libraries (And How You Can Help Change That) | BookRiot.comBookshelves in a library in Seattle | Why Police Shouldn't Be in Libraries (And How You Can Help Change That) | BookRiot.comPhoto by Shunya Koide on Unsplash

Events like Police Officer Storytime also serve as an instance of community policing, which is described as “a form of policing that functions to legitimize the omnipresence of law enforcement, win the cooperation of community leaders, and gather intel about neighborhoods while improving a department’s image.” Rather than remaining complicit, libraries must work toward abolition.

Alongside other organizations, the Abolitionist Library Association (AbLA), a collective of library workers and community members created last year, is advocating for libraries “to divest from all forms of policing in libraries and invest in our collective liberation.” You can read a position statement from AbLA Ivy+, a branch of the group working in Ivy+ universities, here. AbLA and the Library Freedom Project call for an end to policing in libraries with a reinvestment in community-driven alternatives to policing, like specialists trained in trauma-informed de-escalation and community safety rooted in restorative and transformative justice. 

So how do we get there? What can you do?

How You Can Help

  1. Follow organizations that are working for change. You can find out more about AbLA here and join their mailing list, which includes more information on how to get involved and join their meetings, here. There are also similar organizations specific to certain locations, like Safe LAPL (Los Angeles), Libraries for All STL (St. Louis), Library Freedom Project (Philadelphia), Cop Free Library (NYC), AbLA Ivy+ (Ivy+ universities), and the Harvard Prison Divestment Campaign (Harvard University). AbLA maintains a full list in their resources here.
  2. Educate yourself on antiracism, abolition, and restorative and transformative justice. AbLA has an excellent list of resources here. The Library Freedom Project also highlights some resources at the end of their open statement. And of course, don’t forget to check out Book Riot’s archives for plenty of recommendations.
  3. Research your own library’s practices. How much does your local library spend on policing and surveillance? Do they hold community events with police officers? Are there any groups currently working toward divestment from police in your area? Get familiar with the current policies and practices around policing in your library system as a first step toward change.
  4. Get involved at your local library. There are many ways to be active at your own library. If you’re in one of the locations mentioned above, follow and reach out to the existing organizations to see how you can contribute. AbLA’s resources also include a section on organizing, so consider how you could start a campaign. Some possibilities include joining your library board if you can and advocating for change from there, writing a letter or petition, and attending board meetings to speak on the topic. 

And don’t forget to find your people! You’re not alone as we work toward collective liberation.

Read The Full Article Here


trick photography
Kayleigh McEnany Shares Video Of Protesters Blocking Mother From Work
Kayleigh McEnany Shares Video Of Protesters Blocking Mother From Work
James Franco Celebrates Dave Franco’s 40th Birthday in Public Appearance
James Franco Celebrates Dave Franco’s 40th Birthday in Public Appearance
Julia Stiles Shared What Julia Roberts Once Said To Her When She Was Struggling With Body Image, And It's Wisdom I Needed
Julia Stiles Shared What Julia Roberts Once Said To Her When She Was Struggling With Body Image, And It's Wisdom I Needed
Michael Shellenberger Exposes How Biden Administration Labeled Anti-Mandate Americans As Terrorists
Michael Shellenberger Exposes How Biden Administration Labeled Anti-Mandate Americans As Terrorists
‘Spaceballs 2’ Is Happening, With Mel Brooks as Yogurt
‘Spaceballs 2’ Is Happening, With Mel Brooks as Yogurt
Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 3 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch
Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 3 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch
Highest Grossing Movies Released Memorial Day Weekend
Highest Grossing Movies Released Memorial Day Weekend
Woman and Child – first-look review
Woman and Child – first-look review
Taylor Blackwell Guests On “If These Walls Could Talk” With Hosts Wendy Stuart and Tym Moss Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 
Taylor Blackwell Guests On “If These Walls Could Talk” With Hosts Wendy Stuart and Tym Moss Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 
Brett Goldstein ‘All of You’ Movie Cast, Release Date on Apple TV+
Brett Goldstein ‘All of You’ Movie Cast, Release Date on Apple TV+
What to Watch and Stream the Week of May 25, 2025
What to Watch and Stream the Week of May 25, 2025
Stars Tease Intense Mystery and New Department Dynamics (Exclusive)
Stars Tease Intense Mystery and New Department Dynamics (Exclusive)
Mechatok Announces Debut Album, Taps Ecco2k and Bladee for New Video: Watch
Mechatok Announces Debut Album, Taps Ecco2k and Bladee for New Video: Watch
Jody Blaine Watson’s “Living It Up Down in Mexico” Brings Country Vibes to the Coastline
Jody Blaine Watson’s “Living It Up Down in Mexico” Brings Country Vibes to the Coastline
Justin Bieber Makes Onstage Return With SZA In Los Angeles
Justin Bieber Makes Onstage Return With SZA In Los Angeles
8 Most Cringeworthy Rock + Metal Songs About Sports
8 Most Cringeworthy Rock + Metal Songs About Sports
“The Ghostwriter” Masterfully Blends Family Drama and Murder Mystery
“The Ghostwriter” Masterfully Blends Family Drama and Murder Mystery
Book Riot’s Deals of the Day for May 24, 2025
Book Riot’s Deals of the Day for May 24, 2025
Loved Netflix’s “Ransom Canyon”? Here’s 8 Western Novels to Keep You in the Saddle
Loved Netflix’s “Ransom Canyon”? Here’s 8 Western Novels to Keep You in the Saddle
The Buzziest Books of May | 2025
The Buzziest Books of May | 2025
How To Lay Your Edges, According To A Celeb Hair Stylist
How To Lay Your Edges, According To A Celeb Hair Stylist
What to Wear to Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball Tour
What to Wear to Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball Tour
Nikki Glaser Told Us 3 No-Fail Tricks for an Instant Glow-Up
Nikki Glaser Told Us 3 No-Fail Tricks for an Instant Glow-Up
21 Best Memorial Day Clothing Sales 2025
21 Best Memorial Day Clothing Sales 2025
THE LEGACY LIVES ON: ANDREW PIERSON CAST AS WILLIAM SPANNER IN WITCHCRAFT 17
THE LEGACY LIVES ON: ANDREW PIERSON CAST AS WILLIAM SPANNER IN WITCHCRAFT 17
Filming Begins for Dragon Studio’s Return of the Living Dead: Trash’s Revenge
Filming Begins for Dragon Studio’s Return of the Living Dead: Trash’s Revenge
UNTIL DAWN (2025) – Peliculas de Terror ⋆
UNTIL DAWN (2025) – Peliculas de Terror ⋆
FOUND TV Announces FOUND Original with Alternate Ending Only on DVD/Blu-ray
FOUND TV Announces FOUND Original with Alternate Ending Only on DVD/Blu-ray