Whiteness in US Libraries/Library Schools Abides...

We can do so much better than this!

What are you going to do about the dominance of whiteness in libraries?

I mean right now--there is no time to waste--what will you do? 

Source

 

Guest Interview for a Multicultural Library Science Class

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 professional, particularly in regard to serving racially/ethnically diverse? 

 4. What, if any, institutional barriers have you seen in your library with regard to better serving racially/ethnically diverse users? 

 5. EITHER a. If you are a member of one or more of the ethnic caucuses, please speak to how your membership has expanded your ability to better serve users. b. Would you please speak briefly to how your race/ethnicity informs you as a professional, particularly with regard to the social justice aspects of librarianship?

LSTA Advisory Councils and more...

I hope your Spring is springing.


I wanted to ask you all to consider volunteering to be on your state's LSTA Grant advisory boards.


I am currently the chair of the Oregon LSTA Advisory council.


My place on the council give me a voice that I can use to represent others who are not at the table.


There have been many times already where I was able to make an argument that would have not been made (concerning Latino issues) if I had not been there.



If we take our places on these and other committees that have a say in where money goes, then more Latino programming may get funded.


At the very least, we can represent where we are not represented already.


We can create change, we can lead from anywhere we are and we can help one another be strong.