Lowrider Librarian

Image source: Millenial Grind [Please note--this is not an extensive, comprehensive definition--it is my working definition.] I'm sure you have probably heard the term antiracist recently.  It is a current trend for organizations and businesses to use the term antiracist in their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion documentation and activities.   But what does the term Antiracist really mean? Not being racist is NOT antiracism.  In fact, nobody in the americas can escape being racist in some way.   Being antiracist is actively working toward creating a society that does not view individuals as representations of their entire people.   Being antiracist is being actively engaged in bringing about this change in your organization. We must root out the idea that certain groups of people are superior, by their nature, and force structural change in our workplaces, organizations and society. A way of thinking. Here is what Ibram X. Kendi says about it in his boo...

The recording is now available!  You can now hear  Grace Yamada  Interview  kYmberly Keeton  about the Black Covid 19 Project .   Here is the recording of the Showcase:

Come hear and interact with two Librarians with Spines: Grace Yamada Interviews kYmberly Keeton about the Black Covid 19 Project, about Hip-Hop and Information Science  (kYmberly's chapter was on this) .  The conversation will be sure to include aspects of digital citizenship (Grace's chapter was on this topic), books, libraries and more. More about the Black Covid-19 Project:  Keeton--Austin History Center's African American Community Archivist and Librarian was instrumental in organizing and launching Growing Your Roots, the four-day statewide African American genealogy conference earlier this year. But in this case, Keeton is all about the present – specifically about African Americans living through this same pandemic that's sending the AAABF to Zoom this year. She believes  their  stories matter, and she's collecting them for the  Black COVID-19 Index , an independent project she initiated to gather stories, images, audio, and video created by Africa...

When 'equity' preconferences, workshops and other trainings are inequitable it defeats the purpose.  I don't mean to call out LJ specifically--this is just an example of the absurdity of the cost of DEI training. If your organization can afford to pay for you--then it is no problem.  But what about those who can't afford it? Ask yourself how does this relate to inclusion and if this is the model libraries want to pursue. We want affordable, practical, impactful equity training now! What role does your State Library play in making equity training affordable for libraries in your state? What role does your state library association play in making equity training available in all areas of your state? Does your library make equity training available to you as a library worker? If yes--that is awesome! If not, what does this mean? Equity work is library work and it should be made available to all library boards, staff, librarians and commu...

Hinchas Press If you have a friend who is a librarian, LIS student or library worker, Librarians with Spines is the perfect gift! You can get it via  Amazon ,  Latin American Book Source , or  Hinchas Press. Some of the Hinchas Press Lineup: Thank you for your support! ✊🏼

Please join us on Google Hangouts for a discussion between Yago, Autumn, Max and yourselves! Please follow the URL below on Sunday, Sept. 8th from 6-7 pm PST.

Buy this book for your Library An American Genocide: The United States and the California Indian Catastrophe, 1846-1873 (The Lamar Series in Western History)by Benjamin Madley is a book that should be in every library in the US.  This book covers an essential history that has heretofore been neglected save for a few works such as Murder State . Series:  The Lamar Series in Western History Hardcover:  712 pages Publisher:  Yale University Press (May 24, 2016) Language:  English ISBN-10:  0300181361 ISBN-13:  978-0300181364 Product Dimensions:  6.1 x 1.8 x 9.2 inches The book covers the history of the genocide of Indigenous peoples in the state of California from 1846-1873.  During this time, the book traces the beginnings of the genocide from scattered massacres to full scale state and federally sponsored militia and military massacre campaigns.  The sheer brutality and callousness against the indigenous people of Califor...

Hush puts out nothing but quality medicine for Oregon Medical Marijuana Program patients. They have a close relationship with Green Source Gardens--which provides the cannabis that is then made into HUSH BHO oil cartridges.  There has been a flood of cartridges into the market, but HUSH has some qualities that make them different.   Organic ingredients Sustainable practices Great variety High THC available Green Source Gardens! From the  Green Source Gardens  Website: Green Source Gardens is committed to creating rich diversity in our soils which in turn will grow the highest quality medicine possible.   In order to achieve a healthy biological soil ecosystem it requires a commitment to not disturbing the communities of soil life that thrive if left undisturbed. We understand the importance of poly-culture gardens where diverse plant species work in collaboration with one another to achieve their highest potential as medicine. Our gardens ...

Yes, that is a Grumpy T-shirt.   Here is a link to an short interview I did for a multicultural librarian graduate course: https://goo.gl/r93L4g These are the questions I covered:   Questions for 825 Interviews   1. Will you please introduce yourself to the class and briefly describe your current library and position as well as the path that led you to librarianship?   2. In this course, we are exploring how libraries can best meet “the recreational, cultural, informational, and educational needs of African American, Asian American, Latina/o, Native American, and bi/multiracial children, young adults, and adults.” In what ways does your racial/ethnic identity enable you to meet these needs in your library?   3. As a patron in libraries throughout your life, you have probably had both positive and negative experiences related to access and collections. How have these experiences shaped your work as a professiona...

An introduction to Library Technical Services slideshow that went with a job interview teaching session I had to give. It was for a basic introduction to library services class.   The scenario was that we had already covered circulation. The presentation was very short--like 20 mins.  Here is a link to the notes for this session: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9_AI2rqzHHAMl9mTTA0M0JUWUdRWTRYaWdIbzBjdw/view?usp=sharing

Here is a link to the presentation with notes:

Ola 2015 Presentation from Max Macias This slideshow and talk was the first part of the first library conference session on cannabis resources for Librarians ever. The second part of the session was a panel. Max Macias: librarian, Jake Boone: dispensary owner and Bethany Sherman: cannabis testing facility owner. This presentation was meant to show general types of cannabis resources available in Oregon and other places.  This was not a primer on Cannabis. But you can find that here: http://lowriderlibrarian.blogspot.com/2014/07/cannabis-resources-for-librarians.html    Link to handouts:   http://tinyurl.com/o62rr2m   This was not a primer on Cannabis. But you can find that here:  http://lowriderlibrarian.blogspot.com/2014/07/cannabis-resources-for-librarians.html