Black librarians choose not to hold conferences in Indianapolis

Indianapolis, Indiana – As a result of the local library’s refusal to hire a woman who was acting as temporary chief permanently, a national organization of Black librarians postponed its July conference in Indianapolis.

According to the National Conference of African American Librarians on Friday, Indianapolis is an “inhospitable location.”

Nichelle Hayes, a Black woman, was not chosen by the board of the Indianapolis Public Library to be the library’s director. Despite serving for eight months as interim CEO, several board members claimed she lacked the necessary qualifications, according to the Indianapolis Star.

“The actions of the Indianapolis Public Library Board are a reflection of what happens within our profession, where hardworking, talented, and qualified people are used to clean up messes, fix problems, and to just be seen enough that diversity is ticked without any substantive change,” the group of Black librarians said.

Gabriel Morley, the former director of the New Orleans library, was offered the top position on December 8 but turned it down due to the criticism.