In our digital society, technology can both support and undermine social justice causes. On the one hand, technology can be used to automate, conduct surveillance, and censor, but on the other, it can help provide equal access to information, raise awareness of injustice, aid learning, and organize resistance. Libraries can deploy emerging technologies for activism and civic engagement. Technology can be used to build communities and organize around issues. It also offers solutions for greater transparency and accountability forming histories that can be alternative, decentralized and collaborative. This research can foster cross-disciplinary explorations, explore social implications, and give a sense of commonality with a commitment to a common good.

This webinar explores how emerging technologies can be used in libraries in the service of social justice. Presenters will describe an issue of concern and how the choice of technology helped address it. They will also discuss managing that technology or platform, including any surprises or lessons learned along the way. Participants will gain an awareness of local, regional, or national issues that librarians are working to address, as well as engage with ideas and best practices for technological solutions. Join the dialog on how libraries are using new tech to advocate for equality and autonomy and empower users and their community.