Book review: The role of libraries, archives, and museums in achieving civic engagement and social justice in smart cities By MohamedTaher, Hershey, PA: IGI Global. 2022

This hefty volume of research from the library, archive, and museum or LAM sector seeks to “present a single source on the current status of inclusion and engagement via LAM.” (xxvii) While this volume is not exhaustive, it certainly nears that threshold. The editor of this book demonstrates great awareness regarding the source of each chapter, crafting an ensemble of voices never heard before in one volume. This book shatters the “global north” norm or orientation of LAM literature available today. With authors hailing from Africa, Asia, and Oceania, this work combines traditionally marginalized researchers into a formidable chorus of social science research. Organized into four sections and two subject categories, the editor displays not only a depth of research but also an understanding of how these researchers are connected contextually. The presented charts in the introduction outline the content of each chapter, the affiliation of each researcher (LAM), the geographic location of each author, and the themes of each study. This volume demonstrates by example, a standard of self-reflection that all LAM literature should aspire to. In addition to the exemplar format of the volume, the premise of the work is clearly articulated in the “Agenda for study, research, teaching and training” (xxxv). It is in this agenda that the editor and authors formulate important and uncomfortable questions that we must ask the fields of LAM. The foundation of these inquiries is built upon the most substantial of theories within our fields: Ranganathan's five laws. If you are a librarian, you will be keenly aware of these laws concerning libraries, books, and readers. If you are an archivist, you probably know these laws as well. If you are a museum worker, this may be your first time hearing of Dr. S. R. Ranganathan. Dr. Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan is a key figure in the development of Library and Information Science globally, and in particular within India, where he is considered the “Father of library science.” Among his accomplishments are monumental works, including the Five Laws of Librarianship and the “development of the first faceted classification (i.e., colon classification)” (296). His laws, listed in the chart below, are integral to understanding the societal value of libraries, and as the authors of this volume contend, archives, and museums. If these five laws sound profound to the museum community, consider that Dr. Ranganathan constructed and implemented these laws nearly 90 years ago! It is in this new volume that authors such as Dr. Bharat Mehra argue that these five laws could be reconceived as “Social Justice Laws of Librarianship.” Mehra reimagines “every book has its reader,” as social justice “calls for community engagement…to look outward of their institutions as they find ways to operationalize synergies via collaborations and partnerships with external communities (and individuals), ‘making new pathways’ toward meaningful experiences and value for all, including underserved populations.” (Rimland, 2007, Mehra 304). Quite frankly, as a reader of museum philosophy, Dr. S. R. Ranganathan's third law sounds a great deal like John Cotton Dana's “Learn what needs the community needs; fit the museum to those needs” (Dana & Peniston, 1999, p. 42). This book challenges us as museum professionals to consider the role of museums in society. In doing so, a reader may find themselves wondering if museums followed the guidance of Ranganathan and Dana, would defining the museum even be a thing? This volume demonstrates clearly, the connection between libraries, archives, and museums—within non-Western thought. In these three respective fields, LAM researchers, especially those who are Western-based, and who may focus on the “convergence” of these three fields, will discover from this collection that for many on this planet there has been no divergence to begin with! For librarians and museologists alike, we can be comforted by this volume, content in the knowledge that kindred spirits reside around our world. Throughout this volume, we are reminded that convergence occurs at every level of our institutions. For example, even the subheadings within chapters include “The experience of gaming and discovery,” “The experience of a common space,” and “Understanding the importance of time together and of history affecting our present.” Are these not the very conversations we are having across museums? Are we not considering ourselves as valuable common spaces, as experiences and places of discovery? And are not many of the museum conference proceedings, consultants, and writings focused on “understanding the importance of time together”? This collection makes clear that we have much to learn from our colleagues in libraries and archives. Of particular interest in this book is the focus on libraries, archives, and museums in smart cities. Prior to reading this work, I had only heard in passing the term “smart cities.” In thinking back over conference schedules and the latest literature, I am finding a dearth of research into the role of museums in smart cities—at least in the mainstream western museological writings. Smart cities are “intended to be self-sufficient via cutting-edge technologies, purposive innovations, and inventions” (355). Sadly, our technologies are outpacing the one technology that has not evolved (yet)—people. The authors of the chapter, “The Role of Libraries, Archives, and Museums for Metaliteracy in Smart Cities: implications, challenges, and opportunities,” researched the “roles of libraries, archives, and museums (LAM) in supporting citizen literacies for social and digital inclusion” (355). A 2015 PEW study clearly demonstrates that libraries are a recognized resource in their communities, something already accepted by practitioners in the field and the public at large (PEW Foundation, 2015). But are museums assuming a role within their communities? Are we being, as Nina Simon would say, “relevant?” (Simon, 2016). And if we worked with libraries and archives, could we, as a field, support “citizen literacies for social and digital inclusion”? Also notable within this work are chapters “Countering Fake News: A Study of People's Attitudes and Strategies to Offset Disinformation in Smart Cities in India,” “Helping Communities Confront Extremism: A Role for Librarians in Debunking the Claims of Extremists on Social Media,” and “A Missed Opportunity for Community Engagement and Data Collection: Case Study of a Diaspora Organization in Toronto.” In reading these chapters, we can consider the role of museums in “countering fake news”—Do history museums have a responsibility to counter false historical narratives and support civic engagement? How about the natural science museums—do they have a responsibility to “debunk the claims of extremists on social media” who argue that climate change is not real? Do museums, who preserve our stories for the next generation, have a duty to engage the community? And in studying our past, are we not obligated to return objects to the descendants of those from whom they were plundered? While some in the museum field may argue with me on these points, I believe the majority of museum workers want to fulfill a relevant, necessary social role in smart cities—and that this book is small step in that direction. Overall, this volume contains research, theory, and also practical assistance with a 42-page appendix devoted to resources for those wishing to pursue social justice and inclusion within their institution. Concluding this book is an extensive “About the Contributors” section that lays bare the non-Western identities of the authors. While this volume is not perfect, and occasionally the writing is tricky to follow, the insights gained are worth the effort to review this significant work. We also contend that archives, libraries, and museums will continue to fill a broad social need to decrease disparities between ‘information haves’ and ‘information have-nots’ especially as skills in acquiring, evaluating, manipulating, and generating information become more fundamental to individual and social well-being. (Hedstrom & King, 2003, XXXVI) As a field, we should embrace the opportunity to hear from our colleagues, discover anew Ranganathan's five laws, and further develop museum philosophy to create a brighter, better future for museums and their peoples. Professor Laura-Edythe S. Coleman is an American researcher of museums, library science, and activism. Dr. Coleman is the director of the Responsible Cultural Leadership Graduate Certificate program where she mentors future museum professionals and advocates for societal change.

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