How to Build and Defend Inclusive Collections

and Jumpstart Inclusive Cataloging

Make practical DEI changes to your library collections and cataloging with our perfect pair of online courses: How to Build Diverse Collections and Jumpstart Inclusive Cataloging. You'll learn practical skills from expert guest speakers and be able to make real change to your collection development and cataloging practices.

Register now and receive bonus on-demand content for free!

How to Build and Defend Inclusive Collections

October 25, November 1, November 8

After you attend this interactive online course and workshop, you’ll be able to:

Assess current library collections, book promotions, and displays through a diverse lens in order to assess gaps in collections and service areas
Understand key diversity and cultural literacy concepts such as white privilege, unconscious bias, cultural appropriation, and intersectionality
Recognize common problematic stereotypes, tropes, and microaggressions in media
Assess the diversity and inclusiveness of current collection development and RA practices
Plan and execute a diversity audit
Diversify collections and displays with cultural humility and confidence
Assess and revise your collection policies to address censorship
Find allies to join you in protecting intellectual freedom

Featured Sessions

Betsy Bird, Collection Development Manager, Evanston Public Library (IL) and Dontaná McPherson-Joseph, Collection Management Librarian, Oak Park Public Library (IL)

Week 1 Session 2 | 3:00-3:45 pm ET

Conducting a Diversity Audit of Your Collections and Ordering: Where to Start

In this session, we’ll discuss the process of conducting a diversity audit of both your collections and your ordering. You’ll learn how to plan a diversity audit, which salient data points should be included, how to gather the requisite information, and how to set goals to address gaps. We’ll discuss the step-by-step process for establishing your diversity audit and how to make diversity and inclusion natural and ongoing parts of collection management and promotion.

Week 2 Overview

From Margin to Center: A Collection Development Deep Dive

Not all representation is good representation, and in this series of enlightening sessions, you’ll learn how to identify the harmful and amplify the affirming. You will hear from several experts in the field about the ways that specific identities are portrayed in mainstream media, their traditions misunderstood or misrepresented, and their stories appropriated by cultural outsiders. You’ll learn how to spot problematic stereotypes and tropes and how to avoid perpetuating such depictions. You’ll walk away with the tools you need - and a trove of resources - to build a more inclusive and affirming collection at your library or institution and become an advocate for storytelling that moves beyond representation and towards real inclusion.

Kelly Jensen, Editor, Book Riot

Week 3 Session 1 | 2:00-2:45 pm ET

Assessing and Revising Your Collection Management Policies to Protect Your Collections and Yourself

As you create more inclusive collections, it’s critical to assess your current collections policies so that you are equipped to handle both informal and formal book challenges and have conversations with patrons that promote your inclusive and affirming materials. Having clear procedures, protocols, and messaging in place can provide a strong foundation for collection development work as well as protect frontline staff. Assessing your policies and procedures and how they are communicated with your community is a key piece of your advocacy work.

Click here to see the full program!

See what a past participant had to say:

"Wow! This course was so eye-opening. All the presenters were fabulous and I already want to watch the recordings again a second time. Having homework deadlines helped give me accountability and it felt good completing the course in just three weeks. I would definitely take another class in the future!" Lisa Gillihan School Library Media Specialist, NBCT Brownsburg, IN

Jumpstart Inclusive Cataloging

November 15

After you attend this interactive online course and workshop, you’ll be able to:

Understand and utilize inclusive metadata practices and initiatives
Possess the tools and plan for a cataloging equity audit
Define your goals and construct the type of equity project you have the capacity to undertake
Plan strategically for short- and long-term inclusive cataloging
Educate your community and patrons on your updated system
Incorporate and streamline your updates with vendors
Employ tools that support the longevity and sustainability of this process

Featured Sessions

Colette Poitras,

(she, her), BA, MLIS,

Indigenous Public Library

Services Advisor, Public

Library Services Branch,

Municipal Affairs,

Government of Alberta

and Ashley Edwards,

Indigenous Initiatives and Instruction Librarian, Simon Fraser University

Session 2 | 12:45-1:30 pm ET

Indigenous Cataloging: Centering First Nations Cultures, Communities, Collections

This session will highlight Indigenous cataloging practices. Learn how to start the work of decolonizing the way information is sorted, cataloged, and shared by more accurately representing Indigenous knowledges and cultures. You will leave this session with new ideas about how Indigenous cataloging can serve as a model for inclusive representation and access to knowledge.

Jay L. Colbert, (he, him, his) Library Director at Longy School of Music of Bard College

Session 3 | 1:40-2:20 pm ET

Cataloging with Homosaurus: Advocating for LGBTQIA+ Resources and Discoverability

The Homosaurus is an international linked data vocabulary of LGBTQIA+ terms that supports improved access to LGBTQ resources within cultural institutions. This session will teach you practical ways to ensure your cataloging practices are inclusive of LGBTQIA+ people. You will also learn how to use Homosaurus to enhance the discoverability of LGBTQIA+ resources.

Meghan O’Keefe,

(she, her) Readers' Services Librarian

Session 5 | 3:15-4:00 pm ET

Tools and Strategies for Auditing and Recataloging Nonfiction

Learn specific and tangible tools for how to audit and recatalog your nonfiction collection in a more equitable way. You’ll leave with a model for this process as well as a clear plan of action that you can adapt to your individual needs.

Click here to see the full program!

See what a past participant had to say:

"I was not able to attend the live online sessions but listened to the recordings and I have to say that this is some of the best content that I have listened to on the topic of inclusive cataloging. Each presentation was interesting and full of absolutely helpful, practical information that will be immediately usable in my library, and it inspired me to start in on projects that had previously seemed overwhelming. Thank you for providing this stellar content!" Lara Phelps Technical Services Manager.