Increasing the collection and circulation of titles written by underrepresented authors is not a trend, rather, providing robust readers’ advisory service that values equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles is essential to all library services. But moving from being a neutral, well-meaning library where systemic racism is acknowledged to an actively anti-racist organization involves work, some of which is uncomfortable at first.
In this webinar you will begin that work ...
• learning tangible skills to help build enthusiasm for reading and discovering "diverse" books
• to deepen RA service through thoughtful inclusion of EDI principles in all interactions with leisure readers
• and to be a steward of the anti-racist mindset for your organization.
Readers’ advisory and collection development experts Becky Spratford and Robin Bradford will move your team from merely discussing "why" putting EDI concerns at the forefront of all of your work with leisure readers is important to the "how," including an honest look at action steps for all staff.
While it may seem uncomfortable at first, Becky and Robin will help you shift your focus allowing your entire organization to craft an actionable plan to incorporate EDI values into your normal RA practices. All you need is a little nudge in the right direction and a commitment to begin the march forward.
Robin and Becky will facilitate an open and honest conversation about how to provide actively anti-racist service to leisure readers by using our most commonly-received questions. Including but not limited to:
• Not racist vs anti-racist
• How to identify more diverse titles to add to our collections.
• How to display, booktalk, and organize titles in an anti-racist way.
• How to promote diverse titles always.
• How to deal with actively racist request for “NO” black, gay etc books etc…
• Complaints from patrons that you highlight too much diversity.
• Issues about “censorship” re: not promoting popular problematic titles.
• Cancel culture and “classics”
• American Dirt was our top circulating Book of 2020. What do we do now?
This webinar is sponsored by all 16 library systems.