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Introduction
In the summer of 2015, the Ferguson (Missouri) public library director Scott Bonner was widely lauded for keeping the library open to the community during the uprisings and unrest that followed the death of Michael Brown at the hands of police. During one of most fraught and violent periods of the city’s history, when everything was closed, including the public schools, the library remained open; they provided space for teachers to work with students, and they provided sanctuary and comfort to other members of the community who had no other safe place to go. In the coverage of the library, the phrase “radical hospitality” was frequently used to describe Bonner’s leadership and commitment to his community. But in several interviews, Bonner was very clear to state that he did not feel that he had done anything extraordinary, rather, he was serving his community as he always had (Ferguson Library, 2015).
Admittedly, the phrase was perplexing and this author, and others, attributed the use of the phrase to the public at large not truly understanding what libraries do – care for their communities, in addition to providing access to information and services. The word “radical” was thought to reference something unusual or extreme, and the word “hospitality” is typically associated with the tourism industry or used to denote duties associated with hosting guests and entertaining. Upon further investigation, “radical hospitality” was found in literature as related to religious studies; in this context, the words “radical” and “hospitality” take on new meanings. Pratt and Homan (2002) state “While we often think of radical as being extreme”, its primary meaning is “going to the center, fundamental, or source of something; fundamental; basic” (13). Regarding hospitality, they stated “hospitality is usually thought of as a form of entertaining, or as a for profit industry (e.g. hospitality as found in hotels and on cruise ships)(p. 15). However, “hospitality involves the accepting responsibility to care for strangers” (p. 16); it requires an open heart. The heart of hospitality is about inclusion and creating a sense of belonging. In this context, referring to Bonner’s actions as “radical hospitality” makes perfect sense.
How does “radical hospitality” fit within the larger Library and Information Science (LIS) landscape? Scott Bonner is a great example,...