Keynote Speakers Announced: Fostering an Antiracist Library Culture

Join us for our online Equity in Action: Fostering an Antiracist Library Culture course starting February 23 and learn how to transform your library services to better meet the needs of your users—and bring in new ones.

Over three weeks, you’ll hear from library leaders about the actions they’re taking to make their libraries antiracist and learn the tools that make it possible. You’ll complete assignments to build your own equity-based initiative in an interactive online classroom environment with personal coaching from an expert in the field.

The speaker program runs on February 23, March 2, and March 9, 2:00-4:00 pm ET (recordings available) with an ongoing workshop over three weeks.

Learn more about our keynote speakers below.

Register before January 31 and save 15%

Opening Keynote on Tuesday, February 23 | 2:15-3:00PM ET
Making Implicit Biases Explicit
Serving diverse and marginalized populations is rewarding but complicated work. Among the barriers to inclusive service is implicit bias. It is important for information professionals to examine and acknowledge their own privileges and biases and recognize their role in creating and sustaining a welcoming environment in the library for every person who seeks access to the library’s materials, services, programs, and spaces. In this session, you'll unpack the concept of implicit bias, as well as the closely related concepts of stereotypes, microaggressions, and cultural competence, and walk away with ideas for how to use this deeper understanding to enhance your critical information practice.

Speaker:

Nicole A. Cooke, PhD, MEd, MLS, Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and Associate Professor, School of Library and Information Science, College of Information and Communications, University of South Carolina

Closing Keynote on Tuesday, March 9 | 3:30-4:15PM ET
Anti-Oppression, Allyship, and Emotional Labor
Librarians committed to building strong and diverse collections and programs may wonder what else they can do to be positive agents of change in their communities. While there is far more than can be and is being done than we can cover in a single session, we’ll look at what it means to be an “ally,” how librarians can strive for social justice in their spheres of influence, and make space for marginalized voices and viewpoints. Anastasia Collins, librarian at Simmons College, will explore the experience of emotional labor and offer ways that diverse coalitions of professionals and advocates can support each other's efforts in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Speaker:

Anastasia Collins, Research & Instruction Librarian at Simmons University Library

View Full Program

All sessions will be available to you “on-demand” following the initial broadcast.

Group rates are available.
Send your team and increase your impact!

Please contact us at libraryjournal@edmaker.co to learn more about our discounted rates.