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

• Create a plan for protecting inclusive collections and intellectual freedom

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 Adult 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 conferences 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.

Week 1: Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Establishing goals and priorities: Defining inclusive collections and learning how to build and maintain them
 

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 + Break | 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:

Week 2: Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Preparing for your collection assessment: Identifying harmful – and amplifying authentic – stories in our library materials

From Margin to Center: A Collection Development Deep Dive

Not all representation is good representation, and in this series of enlightening sessions, you’ll learn how to identify the harmful and amplify the affirming. You will hear from several experts in the field about the ways that specific identities are portrayed in mainstream media, their traditions misunderstood or misrepresented, and their stories appropriated by cultural outsiders. You’ll learn how to spot problematic stereotypes and tropes and how to avoid perpetuating such depictions. You’ll walk away with the tools you need - and a trove of resources - to build a more inclusive and affirming collection at your library or institution and become an advocate for storytelling that moves beyond representation and towards real inclusion.

Session 1 | Black Stories in Library Collections | 2:00-2:30 pm ET

Speaker:

Session 2 | Muslim Stories in Library Collections | 2:30-3:00 pm ET

Speakers:

Break | 3:00-3:10 pm ET

Session 3 | Queer Stories in Library Collections | 3:10-3:40 pm ET

Speaker:

Session 4 | Native American Stories in Library Collections | 3:40-4:10 pm ET

Speaker:

Workshop Q&A | 4:10-4:20 pm ET

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

Week 3: Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Beginning your audit: Considering your policies and practices and getting to work 

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

Assessing and Revising Your Collection Management Policies to Protect Your Collections and Yourself

As you create more inclusive collections, it’s critical to assess your current collections policies so that you are equipped to handle both informal and formal book challenges and have conversations with patrons that promote your inclusive and affirming materials. Having clear procedures, protocols, and messaging in place can provide a strong foundation for collection development work as well as protect frontline staff. Assessing your policies and procedures and how they are communicated with your community is a key piece of your advocacy work.

Speaker: 

Workshop Q&A + Break | 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

Auditing and Recataloging 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 specific and tangible tools for how to audit and recatalog your nonfiction collection in a more equitable way. 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:

Session 3 | 3:45-4:15 pm ET

Sustaining Collection Assessment Momentum

Collection assessment work is never done, and in this session, we’ll discuss what is required to build and sustain momentum for this iterative process. You’ll come away with tools and strategies for assessing and understanding the impact of your initial auditing approach, as well as considerations for expanding and refining for the future.

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