Evanston Public Library’s controversial “cranky librarian,” Lesley Williams, announced today that she is resigning from her job as head of adult services, and will leave the library after more than 20 years of service.
“I am in a position to not need to look for a new job immediately, so I am continuing my work advocating for a meaningful equity audit (or “assessment” if you prefer) of library services, as well as continuing to volunteer with Open Communities, Jewish Voice for Peace and other progressive nonprofits,” was how she put it, in an e-mail.
Although I will no longer be employed by the Evanston Public Library, as an Evanston resident and an advocate for social justice and intellectual freedom, I will continue to work with community members determined to push for full racial equity in library services, collections, hiring, and locations. These are critical concerns which go far beyond a mere “personnel dispute”. I hope that by removing my individual status from the debate, Evanston will be able to focus on the injustice of a publicly funded government institution which continues to resist confronting the inequitable service it provides to lower income, African American and Latinx residents.
