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LJ Professional Development

Evaluating, Auditing, and Diversifying Your Collections

Starting April 28

Evaluating, Auditing and Diversifying Collections

Early Bird Discount!

Register by April 1 and save 20%

Do you want to ensure that your library’s collections are diverse, equitable, inclusive—and well-read?

Live Interactive Sessions: Tuesdays: April 28, May 5 and May 12 from 2-4 PM ET. Plus, additional self-guided materials and bonus content. Can’t make a live session? No worries. All sessions will be available to you “on-demand” following the initial broadcast.

In this course from Library Journal and School Library Journal, you’ll hear from an outstanding group of experts who will guide you through evaluating books and media with an inclusive lens.

We’ll explore key concepts essential to cultivating and promoting inclusive and equitable collections, such as the experiences of LGBTQIA people, Native people, people of color, people with disabilities, non-binary or gender non-conforming people and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities.

As part of the course you will conduct a diversity audit and learn how to include diverse books, wider perspectives, #ownvoices, and how to be more responsive to the community you serve.

Learn More

Learning Outcomes:

  • The ability to assess current library collections, book promotions, and displays through a diverse lens in order to assess gaps in collections and service areas.
  • An understanding of key diversity and cultural literacy concepts such as white privilege, unconscious bias, cultural appropriation, and intersectionality.
  • The ability to recognize common problematic stereotypes, tropes, and microaggressions in media.
  • The ability to assess the diversity and inclusiveness of current collection development and RA practices.
  • Guidance on planning and executing a diversity audit.
  • Tools, tips, and advice on how to better diversify collections and displays.
  • A plan of action to better diversify your library collections and address gap areas that will transform your understanding of your library users and the services you provide.
Inspiring Guest Speakers
Register Now

Discounted group rates are also available!
Please contact us at libraryjournal@edmaker.co
for discounted rates

"The term 'privilege' comes up constantly in discussion of current issues. This course helped clarify what privilege means in the context of library service, and how it impacts our collections and services. Insights gained here will influence my approach to materials selection, marketing strategies, and program offerings in our library. I recommend the course!"

—Ann Cooper
Head Librarian
Fairborn Community Library

Program

Part 1: Tuesday, April 28, 2020, 2-4 pm ET

Session 1 | 2:00-2:15 pm ET

What Is a Diverse and Inclusive Collection?  

Mahnaz Dar, Reference and Professional Reading Editor at Library Journal and School Library Journal, will explain how the discussion groups and assignments will work and highlight key concepts, including #ownvoices, privilege, and intersectionality. 

Speaker: Mahnaz Dar, Reference and Professional Reading Editor, Library Journal/School Library Journal


Session 2 | 2:15-3:00 pm ET

Open the Gates: Addressing the Lack of Diversity in Publishing

Getting diverse books on our shelves is key in cultivating equity at our libraries. But it’s not a simple fix. In this eye-opening first session of our workshop, Jason Low of Lee & Low Books, will discuss the landscape of publishing today with regard to diversity and representation, sharing the findings of the 2019 Lee & Low Diversity Baseline Study and how it compares to the 2015 Study. He'll provide insight into the data and what we can learn from it, and crucially, where we need to go next to ensure that our library shelves are representative of the many identities and experiences of our readers and our world.

Speaker: Jason Low, Publisher, Lee & Low Books


Intermission |
3:00-3:15 pm ET


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

Conducting a Diversity Audit of Your Collections

In this session, we’ll discuss both the process of conducting a diversity audit and what comes next after you’ve successfully audited your collection. You’ll learn how to plan a diversity audit, which salient data points should be included, how to gather the requisite information, how to set goals to address gaps, and how to make diversity and inclusion natural parts of collection management and promotion. You’ll also come away with an understanding of what to do with your data once you have it, how to create a plan of implementation, and where to go next.

Speaker: To be announced soon


Part 2: Tuesday, May 5, 2020, 2–4:15 pm ET

Session 1 | 2:00-2:30

Stereotypes, Tropes, and Cultural Appropriation: A Collection Development Deep Dive

Some common stereotypes in books and media are easy to spot—others require a more fine-tuned understanding of culture and history. In this series of enlightening sessions, you will learn how to spot problematic stereotypes and tropes and how to avoid unintentionally perpetuating such depictions. You will hear from several experts in the field about the ways that specific marginalized cultures—Native American, Asian American, African American, and LGBTQIA+—are portrayed in mainstream media, their cultural traditions misunderstood or misrepresented, and their stories appropriated by cultural outsiders. You’ll walk away with the knowledge you need to build a more representative, inclusive collection at your library or institution.

Speaker: Jennifer Baker, Writer, Editor, Advocate, and Founder, Minorities in Publishing podcast

Session 2 | 2:30-3:00

Speaker: Anna Clutterbuck-Cook, Reference Librarian, Massachusetts Historical Society

 
Intermission | 3:00-3:15 pm ET


Session 3 | 3:15-3:45

Speaker: Sarah Park Dahlen, Ph.D.,Associate Professor, Master of Library and Information Science Program, St. Catherine University (MN)


Session 4 | 3:45-4:15

Speaker:Debbie Reese Ph.D., Publisher of American Indians in Children's Literature 


Part 3 - Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 2-4:15 pm ET

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

Collection Management Strategies to Enact Change at Your Library

Being aware of a lack of diversity in your library collections and having the intention to make a change is important, but having a plan of action to address these problems is where the magic happens. In this session, you’ll learn concrete strategies for making lasting change in your approach to collection development and management, ensuring your library’s collections are inclusive. 

Speaker: Robin Bradford, Collection Development Librarian, Pierce County Library System (WA)


Session 2 | 2:45-3:15 pm ET

Collection Development and Readers’ Advisory for the Inclusive Librarian

Diversifying your collection begins with diversifying your suggestions. Learn from [Becky Spratford of RAforall.com] how to locate and combat implicit racism and sexism in our resources and provide a wider range of suggestions to our readers in this compelling session. Spratford will explain how encouraging readers to read more diversely results in libraries buying more diversely, and share ideas for how you can include your whole staff in the process. You’ll come away with an understanding for how equity work can become a part of your daily practice via interactions with your patrons, staff, and wider community.

Speaker: Becky Spratford, Readers’ Advisory Specialist


Intermission | 3:15-3:30 pm ET


Session 2 |
3:30-4:15 pm ET

Moving the Needle on Diversity in the Library

Given the state of libraries -- their demographics, budgets, challenges, and barriers -- what do librarians need to be doing now to lead from the front when it comes to equity initiatives? In this inspiring opening keynote, Loida Garcia-Febo will share lessons learned from her years of work in the field, including what library professionals need to be doing right now to create a more equitable outlook for our patrons and communities.

Speaker: Loida Garcia-Febo,International Library Consultant and Immediate Past President, American Library Association

Speakers

Jennifer Baker

Jennifer Baker
Writer, Editor, Advocate, and Founder, Minorities in Publishing podcast 

Robin Bradford

Robin Bradford
Collection Development Librarian Pierce County
Library System (WA)

Anna Clutterbuck-Cook

Anna Clutterbuck-Cook
Reference Librarian, Massachusetts Historical Society

Mahnaz Dar

Mahnaz Dar
Reference and Professional Reading Editor,
 Library Journal/School Library Journal

Loida Garcia-Febo

Loida Garcia-Febo
International Library Consultant and Immediate Past President, American Library Association

Jason Law

Jason Law
Publisher, Lee & Low Books

Sarah Park Dahlen

Sarah Park Dahlen, Ph.D.,
Associate Professor, Master of Library and Information Science Program, St. Catherine University (MN)

Debbie Reese

Debbie Reese Ph.D.,
Publisher of American Indians in Children's Literature

Becky Spratford

Becky Spratford
Readers' Advisory Specialist

Can't make it this time, but know someone who might benefit from this course?
Please forward this email.


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