“Grabbing Tea,” a two-volume book set edited by Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz and Sara Howard, Princeton University Library’s Librarian for Gender and Sexuality Studies and Student Engagement, is now available from Litwin Books & Library Juice Press. 

The books are the 14th and 15th entries in the Litwin Books Series on Gender and Sexuality in Information Studies, edited by Emily Drabinski. The first volume highlights queerness in library practice and theory across academic and public libraries, while the second shifts focus to queerness in archives and archival theory and practice. Both volumes feature Library staff sharing their interpersonal and professional experiences as they relate the field, their professional connections, and the communities they serve.

“I think one of the biggest takeaways I had after editing all of these brilliant chapters is that talking about identity in the workplace will never be a binary or ‘we did it’ conversation,” said Howard. 

Though she thinks readers will welcome the discussions in each chapter, she called out Liam Adler and Hunter Albini’s chapter “You Have the Power to Be Such an Influence Simply by Being” in volume one. “That chapter really underscores the importance of being fallible and authentic in the workplace,” Howard said. 

“In volume two, I’m a bit biased as I have had the pleasure of working closely with RL Goldberg and Gerard Koskovich, but their chapter, ‘Responsibility to the Future,’ emphasizes the importance of preserving and collecting records and stories from the LGBTQIA+ community, which should be the same as other marginalized communities,” Howard added.

Smith-Cruz and Howard first met in 2016 via a Gale webinar about the Archives of Sexuality and Gender. After a number of run-ins and having thoughtful conversations about their work, and pedagogy, their reflections became the foundation for the book set. 

Earlier this year, Smith-Cruz and Howard also teamed up to present the fourth installment of the Gender and Sexuality in Information Studies Colloquium at Princeton University, which is another outgrowth of Drabinski’s series for Litwin Books.

“Hopefully, we all continue to learn and change, alter and reflect,” Howard said. “And while we may take missteps, even with the best of intentions, the one thing I have no patience for is those who intentionally will not take steps to learn, alter, change.”

Related reading: Princeton University Library co-sponsors the 2024 Gender and Sexuality in Information Studies Colloquium

Media Contact: Stephanie Oster, Library Publicity Manager