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Conduct a diversity audit of your collections with the guidance of experts in our online course How to Build Diverse Collections starting March 8.

Developed and led by leaders in the field, our three-week course gives you the tools and knowledge to transform your collections. Join live sessions on Tuesday, March 8, 15, and 22, from 2:00-4:30 pm ET that will explore key concepts essential to cultivating and promoting inclusive and equitable collections. You’ll participate in an asynchronous, facilitator-led workshop in our interactive classroom where you’ll conduct a diversity audit of your collections, and hear about ways to include wider perspectives from and about LGBTQIA people; people of color; ethnic, cultural, religious minorities and more.

You’ll also have access to our foundational bonus content—rich supporting materials you can explore at your own pace, including readings, activities, videos and a series of webinars—from Library Journal and School Library Journal editors and contributors.

Register today!

Contact libraryjournal@edmaker.co for group discounts

Learning Outcomes

The tools and knowledge necessary to plan and execute a diversity audit
The ability to assess current library collections, book promotions, and displays through a diverse lens in order to address 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 micro-aggressions in media
The ability to assess the diversity and inclusiveness of current collection development and RA practices

Who should take this course?

Any librarian or educator wanting to learn how to build and maintain diverse collections

Certificate of Completion Provided - 15 PD Credits

Can’t make a session? No worries! All live sessions will be recorded for on-demand viewing.
Discounted rates available for groups of 3 or more!! Contact libraryjournal@edmaker.co for pricing.

Course Curriculum Advisor

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

Recognized as a leader in the management and coordination of library collections, Robin Bradford has extensive experience managing library collections, budgets, vendors, contracts, and services. She is a highly regarded speaker on the subject of library collection development and has been an integral part of Library Journal courses for the past several years.

Program

Week 1: Tuesday, March 8, 2022

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

Actively Anti-Racist Service to Leisure Readers

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 conversation between Robin Bradford and Becky Spratford, you’ll learn concrete strategies for making lasting change in your approach to collection development and readers’ advisory, ensuring your library’s collections and suggestions are diverse, inclusive, and anti-racist.

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

Conducting a Diversity Audit of Your Collections and Ordering

In this session, we’ll discuss the process of conducting a diversity audit of both your collections and your ordering processes. 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 and ongoing parts of collection management and promotion. You’ll 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.

Session 3 | 3:45-4:00 pm ET
Auditing Your Non-Fiction Collection
Can we apply the same audit process to all of our collections, both fiction and non-fiction? In this session, you’ll learn where the processes align, and where they differ, including top tips and considerations for your non-fiction collection audit. You’ll come away with a framework for assessing your current non-fiction collections and the vital information you need to know to make progress on your goals.

Speakers


Robin Bradford, Collection Development Librarian, Pierce County Library System (WA) Session 1 \| 2:00-2:45 pm ET	Becky Spratford, Readers’ Advisory Specialist Session 1 \| 2:00-2:45 pm ET	Betsy Bird, Collection Development Manager, Evanston Public Library (IL) Session 2 \| 3:00-3:45 pm ET

Dontaná McPherson-Joseph, Collection Management Librarian, Oak Park Public Library (IL) Session 2 \| 3:00-3:45 pm ET	Colleen Wood, Knowledge and Learning Services Librarian, Darien Library (CT) Session 3 \| 3:45-4:00 pm ET

Week 2: Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Sessions 1-4 | 2:00-4:15 pm ET

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.

Session 5 | 4:15-4:45 pm ET

Equity, Representation and Your Digital Library

Sponsored Session by:

Diversity issues impact all communities. Libraries have been at the forefront at this critical time in our history, leading the way by tackling misconceptions with programs and materials. Join librarians from OverDrive and the Municipal Library Consortium (MO) as they reflect on the first iteration of OverDrive's Diversity Audit. We will discuss feedback from librarians, next steps, and actions taken by libraries after the audit. Learn more about how OverDrive's diversity audit can help you plan and prioritize creating a diverse digital collection.

Speakers


Jennifer Baker, Writer, Editor, Advocate, and Founder, Minorities in Publishing podcast Session 1 \| 2:00-2:30 pm ET	Mahasin Abuwi Aleem, Childrens Collection Management Librarian, Oakland Public Library (CA), Co-Founder, Hijabi Librarians Session 2 \| 2:30-3:00 pm ET	Hadeal Salamah, Lower and Middle School Librarian, Georgetown Day School, Washington DC Session 2 \| 2:30-3:00 pm ET

Carson Williams, Adult Services Librarian, Benson Memorial Library (NM) Session 3 \| 3:15-3:45 pm ET	Kara Stewart, Author, Teacher, Literacy Specialist Session 4 \| 3:45-4:15 pm ET	Maria Fesz, Collection Development Team Lead, OverDrive Session 5 \| 4:15-4:45 pm ET

	Heather Arnold, ILS Administrator and Selector for the Municipal Library Consortium (MO) Session 5 \| 4:15-4:45 pm ET

Week 3: Tuesday, March 22, 2022

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

Reading, Writing, and Reviewing Diverse Books: A Conversation

There’s more to building diverse collections than auditing! In this session, we’ll approach diversifying your collections from new angles, considering the author and reviewer’s perspectives in the process. You’ll hear why one author started writing, what they found missing from the books they were seeing on the shelves, and what improvements they’ve seen since they’ve been in the business. You’ll also hear from a collection development expert and reviewer on both the great benefits and the limitations of the review. This session will help you broaden your approach to collection development and enhance your ability to build a more equitable collection.

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

Librarianship Through a Racial Reckoning
How do our personal identities impact the culture of our libraries? A truly inclusive library culture begins, first, with ourselves and considering how our blindspots can impact what our library spaces become. Creating libraries that reflect, and are safe for, BIPOC children and youth, is an active, ongoing practice requiring intent and unflagging effort. In this closing keynote, Dr. Kim Parker will help you think through how you can create an environment that is liberatory and reflective of diverse populations, on your shelves and beyond.

Speakers