Lowrider Librarian

 

    There has been an awakening on Instagram this year--a political, social, and historical awakening that is helping to change thinking about race, racism, activism, social justice and more. The beautiful thing about this awakening is that it is being led by BIPOC. One of the most prominent accounts to follow on instagram is @BIPOC_in_LIS! This account brings together so many issues of people who are oppressed--not only in LIS and libraries, but also in education and in general society. Every day I am moved by her posts and also learn from them. @BIPOC_in_LIS can be thought of as a clearinghouse of information related to BIPOC in libraries. @BIPOC_in_LIS goes beyond BIPOC and posts about all sorts of oppressed groups and intersections! You can read more here .

  [Please share widely!] Greetings! Librarians with Spines is proud to bring you another outstanding author showcase recording! Dr. Miguel Juarez, Rebecca Hankins and Jina Duvernay (Librarians with Spines authors) interviewed Anthony Bishop and Kael Moffat (Librarians with Spines authors) on 8/24/2020. Topics discussed: Whiteness in LIS Ethnographies Recruitment of BIPOC into LIS careers Many other LIS topics relevant to students, librarians, library workers and others. Here is the link! https://www. librarianswithspines.com/post/ librarians-with-spines-author- showcase-3-1 Respectfully, 

I am so proud to announce that Librarians With Spines: Information Agitators In An Age Of Stagnation (or Vol. 1), is now available in an E-book format. The e-book can be found on Amazon, and is responsively formatted, so you can control the font size, etc. with your e-reader. HINCHAS Press is working hard to bring you Vol. 02 in an E-book format by this fall and we plan on publishing Vol. 03 as a print and E-book format together. If you are interested in submitting an abstract or an idea for a chapter in the next book, or as an author on a blog post here, please email Max at librarianswithspines@gmail.com . Librarians With Spines E-book

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...

  Information and registration is here: https://www.librarianswithspines.com/blog

"Anti-racism is the active process of identifying and eliminating racism by changing systems, organizational structures, policies and practices and attitudes, so that power is redistributed and shared equitably." - NAC International Perspectives: Women and Global Solidarity   Here are three Anti-racist actions you can take today in your library: Give your library policies an anti-racist audit. Form a group from different stakeholders at your library.   Recruit individuals from the administration of your organization, your union and your HR department--if possible. Pick a simple policy, practice or procedure to analyze. Notify any stakeholders who might not be included yet about your intent to audit the policy, practice or procedure.   Crowdsource your analysis on a zoom whiteboard, or Google Doc, or something that makes collaboration easier.  Present your findings to the group who owns said policy, practice or procedure.   Ask for feedback fr...