Dismantling deficit thinking in academic libraries: theory, reflection, and action

Abstract

The authors of this new and much-needed book, Dismantling Deficit Thinking in Academic Libraries , offer the reader an understanding of the concept, a plan of action for academic librarians, and many thoughtful ways to consider and reflect on ways to transform their teaching and run their libraries. The book is organized into four discrete chapters, with many sug-gested readings deftly woven into the essays. Particularly worth noting are the thoughtful reflections from librarians in the field after each chapter. The authors have reached out widely into the library field to explore many different points of view. These reflective pieces discuss educational challenges and practices of librarians in the classroom and educational spaces in general. They have been written by a broad mix of librarians, including Cynthia Mari Orozco, Librarian for Equitable Services at East Los Angeles College; Naomi Binnie, the Digital Education Librarian at the University of Michigan; and Yi Ding, Online Instructional Design Librarian at California State University at Northridge, among many others. The authors begin the first section with a brief introductory history of deficit thinking in educational practice, which many readers new to this subject will find illuminating. As the authors describe this slim book, it is meant to be between the practical and the theoretical. For a topic that may be new to many academic librarians, it offers a way to understand and navigate the principles behind “ anti-deficit thinking ” and how to dismantle it in an easily understandable style.