Who?
Library Journal is hosting an online workshop and guest speaker program for librarians, “How to Build Diverse Collections“. The program of speakers include a diverse array of library professionals, writers, and other specialists with experience in collection management and strategies, representation, and managing change during implementation in libraries. Speakers come from both public and higher education backgrounds.
What?
From Library Journal’s Course Overview:
“Library collections must be diverse and inclusive, offering windows into, and reflections of the vast array of people, stories and experiences that make up our world.
In this course, you’ll learn from an outstanding group of experts as they explore key concepts essential to cultivating and promoting inclusive and equitable collections. You’ll conduct a diversity and inclusion audit of your collections, and hear about ways to include wider perspectives from and about LGBTQIA people, Black, indigenous, and people of color, and historically underrepresented ethnicities, cultures, and religions. You’ll learn how to ensure that your collections are more reflective of the diversity of your community and the larger world.
You’ll complete assignments to complete a diversity and inclusion audit over 3+ weeks in an interactive online classroom environment with personal coaching from an expert in the field. In addition, you’ll have access to our foundational bonus content—rich supporting materials you can explore at your own pace, including a series of webinars from Library Journal and School Library Journal contributors, readings, activities, and videos.”
When & Where?
The course’s guest speaker sessions will be conducted over Zoom on October 18, 25 and November 1, from 2:00 – 4:30 PM ET. Can’t make it? Don’t worry, each session will be recorded and available for your viewing at your own convenience. In addition to the live sessions, participants can complete a diversity audit in the 3-week asynchronous workshop, led by an expert librarian who provides written feedback and direction.
Why?
Critical subject matter and value: If you are a librarian, educator, or consultant, or maybe a manager of a library looking for an engaging staff training related to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in collection management, this course is for you and is flexible enough to work on your schedule. 15 professional development credits are available upon completion.
Actionable items for your library: The audit that the participants of the course will complete will help frame the current strengths and gaps in your current collection, and be key in informing goals and strategies to implement using the tools you will learn in the class. Not only will you look at the collection itself, but how you communicate and engage with your community and users what is available to them and why.