Radical-friendly MLS programs

answer: 

I'm going to back off a bit from source citation mode, since this is a collegial sort of question. My impression is that Library Science tends to attract people who are more progressive than average, perhaps because of the field's dedication to the free flow of information and to the facilitation and encouragement of independent thought. So I would suggest looking into other strengths of programs you consider, since you will likely find at least some like-minded people at whatever program you choose.

That being said, perhaps you could consider schools which have student chapters of the Progressive Librarians Guild. Among the PLG's ideals is "providing a forum for the open exchange of radical views on library issues." [For the sake of clarity, I guess I should point out that there is no affiliation between PLG and Radical Reference, though there are certainly shared ideals.]

Madison, Wisconsin, has a rich history of progressive politics, and there is a MLS program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison that specializes in school libraries (and archives). You might also find opportunities to work in rural areas close to that institution during your studies.

I think it is difficult in any field to prepare for real-world situations in a classroom setting, particularly in a field like librarianship where there is so much local politics and interaction with people involved. For this I would encourage internships, and work-study jobs in the library if you are eligible, as a part of your education.

Related Question