RA for All Roadshow to Visit Library Journal Course: Evaluating, Auditing, and Diversifying Your Collections

I am back from vacation and it appears that [mostly] you all behaved yourself. Seriously though, I am back and recharged to get moving, and that's good because my busy travel season is about to kick into high gear.

Today I wanted to start by letting you know about one of my upcoming training opportunities that is part of that busy season-- the latest Library Journal Professional Development Course which will feature a host of experts including myself entitled, Evaluating, Auditing, and Diversifying Your Collections.

Click here for all of the details, some of which I have pulled out below. I know it is not cheap, but I have participated in these classes before and talked to others who have taken them and they are a good deal. You will learn from a variety of experts who will all speak from their varied experiences. I personally know and have worked with many of the speakers in this go round.

Contact me if you have questions.

I will be developing my own longer EDI program for interested libraries this Fall, but I am going to be honest, for less than I charge for a 1 hour webinar [let alone my in-person costs], you can get much more and from more people with this course:



Evaluating, Auditing, and Diversifying Your Collections

In this multifaceted online course, you’ll complete work to ensure that your collections are Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive—with personal coaching from experts from libraries and beyond.

Live Interactive Sessions: Tuesdays: April 30, May 7 & May 14 from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM ET. Plus, self-guided options and additional bonus content offered so you can follow along at your own pace.

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

In this foundational course from Library Journal and School Library Journal, designed specifically for public librarian professionals who work in collections and readers’ advisory (RA), you’ll hear from an outstanding group of experts as they explore key concepts essential to cultivating and promoting inclusive and equitable collections. You’ll conduct a diversity audit of your collections and learn about how to include diverse books, wider perspectives, #ownvoices, and how to be more responsive to the community you serve. 

The course will cover a wide range of topics, helping teach librarians how to evaluate books and media through an inclusive lens, that includes the experiences of LGBTQIA people, Native people, people of color, people with disabilities, non-binary or gender non-conforming people, and ethnic, cultural, religious minorities, and more.

When you attend this interactive online course, you’ll come away with:  

• 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 Live Guest Speakers + Project-Based LearningEngage with presenters via live video stream, visual presentations, and chats, and workshop practical solutions in groups, with guidance from an advisor, to map out your own cultural literacy and inclusion initiatives. You’ll leave with well-developed strategies designed to make a lasting impact on your community.

Finally, here is the info about my day in particular. You can click here for all of the details for the entire course. I hope you can join us.

Part 3 - Tuesday, May 14, 2018, 2 — 4:15 pm ET 

Session 1 | From Reading Diversely to Buying Diversely: Collection Development and Readers’ Advisory for the Inclusive Librarian | 2:00 PM — 2:30 PM ET 

Diversifying your collection begins with diversifying your suggestions. Learn from Becky Spratford of RA for All 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 patron, staff, and the wider community.

Speaker: Becky Spratford, Readers’ Advisory Specialist