Chris Shaffer
Chris Shaffer
Chris is an open science advocate and serves as University Librarian and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Information Management. Contact him to discuss the vision, strategic plan, and services of the UCSF Library.

Standing in Support of Social Justice and BLM

Libraries and library workers have long stood up for marginalized communities, protecting access to information, bringing people together, and building community. While we have done a lot, it is clear we need to do more, as individuals and as institutions.

Black Lives Matter. Police violence, systemic racism, and structural inequality are the work of public health. The UCSF Library is committed to working with our colleagues in academic medicine for racial justice, equality, and the elimination of disparities.

We are very proud to work with leaders who stand up as allies against the structural and blatant racism in our country and the world. The messages they have shared over the past few days strongly articulate our thoughts, emotions, and convictions. We wish to highlight and amplify these communications to enforce our stance and encourage the courageous conversations UCSF Chancellor Hawgood calls upon us all to have with one another.

We will leave you with a selection of the words from UCSF leadership that moved us in these troubling times:

For those of us who benefit from privilege, I encourage us to go beyond denouncing acts of racism and hate. We must examine our own bias and have honest, courageous conversations with one another. We can grow to recognize racism and bias the way people of color live with it every day. In so doing, we will find the strength to take on the struggle of those who don’t share in the privileges conferred to us by a system that we must change.

Sam Hawgood, Chancellor

To my brothers and sisters who are suffering so – I am at a complete loss as to what words I can offer that would provide comfort, other than to say that I hold you in my heart, as aching as it is, and I, along with so many others in the UCSF community, stand with you as steadfast allies.

Dan Lowenstein, EVCP

Let’s say their names:

Ahmaud Arbery

Breonna Taylor

George Floyd

Tony McDade

Renee Navarro, Vice Chancellor for Diversity

And finally, if you haven’t seen it yet, we highly recommend watching the statement from Mark Laret, UCSF Health CEO at the end of the May 29 UCSF town hall.


We Shall Overcome

Chris Shaffer, University Librarian and Assistant Vice Chancellor
Haley Mcewan, Director of Administration
Micquel Little, Associate University Librarian for Research and Learning
Polina Ilieva, Assistant University Librarian for Archives & Special Collections
Rich Trott, Director of Technology Strategy and Services