Create library collections that are inclusive and that reflect a diverse range of people, stories, and experiences by learning how to conduct a diversity audit, ensure representation, and defend your collections against censorship challenges.

Course Overview

Learning Objectives 

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

Who should take this course

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

Live sessions are also available on demand 

Can’t make a live session? All guest speaker sessions are recorded and available on demand following the initial broadcast. Asynchronous workshops allow you to complete assignments and receive feedback from experts.

Certificate of completion provided

15 professional development credits are available

For support with online courses, please contact libraryjournal@edmaker.co

Accessibility

All guest speaker sessions feature live captioning and are made available on demand after the initial broadcast. Please email libraryjournal@edmaker.co upon registration if you require any special accommodations and we will make our best efforts to facilitate them.

Group Rates

Have a team attend and increase your impact!

Discounted registration fees are available for groups of 3 or more. When you register your team for our online courses, they will be placed in the same small workshop group, where discussions and project-based assignments receive feedback from an experienced librarian.

Send us a request for a quote.

If your group prefers to work separately, just let us know.

Course Curriculum Advisor

Kymberlee Powe, (she,her) Children and YA Consultant, Connecticut State Library Division of Library Development

Kymberlee Powe has been working in libraries for over fourteen years and specializes in youth services. Kym is currently the Children and Young Adilt Consultant with the Connecticut State Library and was awarded the inaugural Judy Burroughs award by the Connecticut Crossroads Project, an award given to people whose skills and talents have a positive effect on the greater Connecticut Community. Kym has given presentations and participated in panel conversations at various conference which include the Connected Learning Summit, Niche Academy, and School Library Journal/ Library Journal.

By registering for this event you confirm that you have read and agree to our Code of Conduct.

For support with online courses, please contact libraryjournal@edmaker.co.

Full program will be announced soon.

See past program.

Week 1: 

Session 1 | 2:00-2:45 pm ET

Creating Inclusive Library Collections

While it’s important to ensure our collections are diverse, what does it mean to ensure they are truly inclusive? In this session, we’ll discuss why moving toward inclusive library collections is a crucial step in advancing equity and justice at our institutions. You’ll learn from an expert how to assess your collections as they are now, and hear what considerations to make when ordering and weeding. We’ll also touch on how to address some of the challenges to materials in your collection and how to advocate for underrepresented voices that must be included.

Speaker:

Workshop Q&A | 2:45-3:00 pm ET

An introduction to this week’s assignment and an overview of what to expect from the online workshop in this course

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.

Speakers:

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.

Speaker:

Week 2: 

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 identities—Native American, Muslim, African American, and LGBTQIA+—are portrayed in mainstream media, their 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 1 | Black Representation in Library Materials | 2:00-2:30 pm ET

Speaker:

Session 2 | Muslim Representation in Library Materials | 2:30-3:00 pm ET

Speakers:

Workshop Q&A | 3:00-3:15 pm ET

An introduction to this week’s assignment and an overview of what to expect from the online workshop in this course

Session 3 | Queer Representation in Library Materials | 3:15-3:45 pm ET

Speaker:

Session 4 | Native American Representation in Library Materials | 3:45-4:15 pm ET

Speaker:

Week 3: 

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

Inclusive Cataloging for Your Collections

Once you’ve begun auditing and diversifying your collections, it’s important to consider your cataloging. In this session, we’ll explore how to handle classification of materials with an inclusive and antiracist approach. We’ll discuss the history of classification systems such as Dewey and Library of Congress, address why these systems need to be reconsidered and updated, and what you can do at your library to improve the user experience of your catalog. We’ll also cover how to replace problematic headings, take a community-informed approach to new headings, and how to communicate these changes to your patrons and students.

Speakers: 

Workshop Q&A | 2:45-3:00 pm ET

An introduction to this week’s assignment and an overview of what to expect from the online workshop in this course

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

Moving Beyond Representation: Doing More With "Diverse" Books

Young people’s ability to access books that serve as mirrors and windows is a critical conversation in literacy. During this presentation, you will gain greater clarity around what it takes to move beyond providing young readers access to books solely for the purpose of representation and the importance of doing so. You'll be provided with a toolkit for supporting young people as they read in ways that affirm the racial and cultural identities of those who have been marginalized, oppressed, and whose lived experiences are often silenced in literature. This toolkit will also support young people as they read in ways to develop their awareness about systems of inequities and determine ways to disrupt them.

Speaker:

For support with online courses, please contact libraryjournal@edmaker.co.

Online Course Preview

A preview of how we build your library skills and bring inspiration to your projects with our online learning experience.

Course Format

One-Week Timeline (Course Runs 3+ Weeks)

DAYS 1-2 On Demand	DAY 3 2.5 hours	DAYS 4-7 1-2 hours (optional)
PRE-LIVE SESSION - Resources - Discussions - Bonus Content	LIVE SESSIONS - Guest speakers via webcast - Q&A via chat - Recordings available on demand	ASYNCHRONOUS WORKSHOP - Project-based homework, applied to your job - Personalized feedback from a facilitator - Group discussion in an asynchronous workshop setting via discussion forum	3-WEEK WORKSHOP - Facilitator-led feedback WEEK 1 Establish goals and priorities WEEK 2 Prepare for your collection assessment WEEK 3 Begin audit or select materials for a collection

Inspiring Live Guest Speakers + Facilitated Group Workshop for Project-Based Learning

Live session with Andrea Blackman and Tasneem Ansariyah Grace	Live Guest Speakers Each Week Engage with presenters via live video stream, visual presentations, and chats Map out your own equity initiatives with guidance from an expert advisor Leave with refined, robust strategies designed to make a lasting impact on your community Workshop tangible antiracist approaches to your work with input from peer groups

Online Course Features

Recordings of guest speakers

Recordings Available After The Live Session Real-time guest speakers and conversation via live video stream (with recordings available afterward) Instructor-led online course features personalized interaction over 3+ weeks

Facilitator-led workshop

Online Classroom Organizes All Materials Workshop assignments to help you make progress on your goals Individualized attention from course facilitators who work with you in a coaching environment in the workshop to help sort out challenges Ongoing group conversation via discussion forums

Early Access On Demand Resources

Early Access and Ongoing Resources To Support Learning Supporting resources (articles, videos, worksheets) in the online classroom to provide a foundation for your work Access all course content for six months after the course ends Bonus: Register early and get immediate access to archival video recordings from related courses and other bonus content