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Fwd: EDI Update | May 2021

  • 1.  Fwd: EDI Update | May 2021

    Posted May 20, 2021 09:09 AM


    ---------- Forwarded message ---------
    From: Amber Hayes <diversity@ala.org>
    Date: Thu, May 20, 2021 at 10:03 AM
    Subject: EDI Update | May 2021
    To: <edprism@gmail.com>


    Website

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    Online Version

    May 20, 2021

    Please note ALA's Personal Data Notification (PDN) and Opt-Out options.

    This month, the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS) provides information on ALA elections, member benefits, and upcoming events.

     

    If you'd like to stay in touch with ODLOS, please consider subscribing to our monthly newsletter.

    Pelayo-Lozada Wins 2022–2023 ALA Presidency

    Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada, adult services assistant manager at Palos Verdes Library District in Rolling Hills Estates, California, has been elected 2021–2022 president-elect of the American Library Association (ALA).

     

    Pelayo-Lozada received 4,056 votes, while her opponents, Ed Garcia, director of Cranston (R.I.) Public Library, received 2,598 votes, and Stacey A. Aldrich, state librarian of the Hawaii State Public Library System in Honolulu, received 2,186 votes.

     

    Pelayo-Lozada holds an MLIS and a bachelor's in sociology from UCLA and an associate's in philosophy from El Camino College in Torrance, California.

     

    Learn more.

    2021 Rural Libraries Summit

    ALA's Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds Committee (RNTLOAK) invites rural library workers to the inaugural Rural Libraries Summit. During this virtual two-day summit, library workers will have the opportunity to hear new innovative initiatives happening at libraries across the United States, share challenges and successes, and network with peers.

     

    The summit is May 25-26 and registration closes Friday, May 21.

     

    Learn more and register.

    June is Rainbow Book Month

    Rainbow Book Month™ is a nationwide celebration of the authors and writings that reflect the lives and experiences of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, pansexual, genderqueer, queer, intersex, agender, and asexual community.

     

    Originally established in the early 1990s by The Publishing Triangle as National Lesbian and Gay Book Month, this occasion is an opportunity for book lovers and libraries with the very best in LGBTQIA+ literature.

     

    Learn more and celebrate.

    2021 Rise Book Project Presents Top Ten Feminist Books for Young Readers

    RISE, a subgroup of the ALA Social Responsibilities Round Table's Feminist Task Force, announced its Top Ten feminist books for young readers, selected from the 2021 RISE Book Project.

     

    Formerly known as the Amelia Bloomer Booklist, The RISE Book Project recommends well-written and well-illustrated books with significant feminist content for young readers from birth to 18 years old. Books may be recommended by anyone through the field recommendation process, but books can only be officially nominated for the list by regular RISE committee members.

     

    The bibliography is intended as a recommended reading list for children and teens. It may also be used by interested librarians, teachers, parents, and others who work with youth.

     

    View the list and learn more.

    Attend the National Conference of African American Librarians

    The National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL), hosted by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), is going virtual this year! Join online to engage and elevate the conference theme "Culture Keepers XI, the Sankofa Experience: Inspired by Our Past, Igniting Our Future" from July 28 through August 1, 2021.

     

    NCAAL is the largest national conference for African American professionals in the library industry. NCAAL gives African American librarians, library professionals who serve predominantly African American communities, and individuals interested in African American librarianship unique networking, learning, and professional development opportunities. Panels and conference sessions will be led by nationally recognized speakers, authors, and industry leaders, including Michael Eric Dyson, Jason Reynolds, Sharon M. Draper, and Tony Zanders.

     

    This year's conference theme celebrates BCALA's 50th Anniversary and includes sessions in subjects related to innovation, creativity, and technology; bridge building, intersectionality, and inclusion; leadership, management development, and organization; collections, programs, and services; advocacy, outreach, and collaboration; health, wellness, and medical. Students and current BCALA members are eligible for a discount! Visit www.NCAAL.org to register and for more information.

    Public and Tribal Libraries Invited to Apply for the NASA @ My Library STEAM Initiative

    Public and tribal libraries are invited to apply for NASA@ My Library, a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) education initiative that will increase and enhance STEAM learning opportunities for library patrons throughout the nation, including geographic areas and populations currently underrepresented in STEAM education.

     

    The project is offered by the National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL) at the Space Science Institute (SSI) in partnership with the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) and Education Development Center (EDC). Support comes from NASA's Science Mission Directorate as part of its Science Activation program.

     

    60 public and tribal libraries in the U.S. will be selected through a competitive application process to become NASA@ My Library Partners.

     

    Applications will be accepted from May 17 to July 21. View the project guidelines and apply online. ALA members and nonmembers are encouraged to apply.

    Find Content-Experts with the EDI Speakers Bureau

    ALA's EDI Speakers Bureau is a great resource to find experts on equity, diversity, and inclusion topics. These knowledgeable presenters can speak to staff about making your library a more equitable space.

     

    The EDI Speakers Bureau includes speakers' location, biography, and areas of expertise. Users may nominate a speaker to be added to the EDI Speakers Bureau and content-experts may submit themselves to be listed on the website.

     

    Access the website here.

    Survey on Patron Privacy in Public Libraries

    Librarians have historically been at the forefront of protecting patron privacy; however, recent technological innovations and the present political climate have made this commitment increasingly challenging. In fact, very little is known about what public libraries are currently doing to protect patron privacy.

     

    Library workers are invited to participate in a survey led by the University of Illinois School of Information Sciences. The survey explores the measures public libraries use to ensure patron privacy and to identify the challenges they face in this aspect.

     

    Take the survey.

    Nominations Are Being Accepted for ALA Honorary Membership

     

    Nominations are being accepted for ALA honorary membership, the Association's highest honor, which is bestowed on living citizens of any country whose contributions to librarianship, or a closely related field are so outstanding that they are of significant and lasting importance to the whole field of library service.

     

    Honorary members are elected for life by vote of the ALA Council upon recommendation of the ALA Executive Board. Nominations will be reviewed during the ALA Executive Board's 2021 fall meeting and presented to Council for vote during the 2022 ALA Midwinter Meeting. Newly elected honorary members will be formally recognized at the Opening General Session during the 2022 ALA Annual Conference, June 23-28, 2022 in Washington, D.C.

     

    Complete the nomination form by September 1, 2021.

    K.C Boyd Receives 2021 EMIERT Distinguished Librarian Award

    K.C Boyd, school librarian and member of the District of Columbia Public Schools Library Corps (DCPS), is the recipient of the 2021 American Library Association's Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) Distinguished Librarian Award. The Distinguished Librarian Award recognizes significant accomplishments in library services that are national or international in scope and include improving, spreading, and promoting multicultural librarianship.

     

    K.C Boyd is a leader and respected voice in the field of librarianship. Boyd is a staunch advocate for school librarians and has worked to ensure that schools within the District of Columbia's 7th and 8th Wards retained library positions and programming.

     

    Learn more.

    PLA, AT&T Team Up to Bring Digital Literacy Training to Families

     

    The Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association, and AT&T have announced a collaboration to improve digital literacy and promote broadband adoption among families and communities, particularly those who are newly connected to the internet and navigating homeschooling, employment, and other activities made challenging due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

     

    PLA and AT&T will offer a specially curated collection of digital literacy courses so parents and families can build the skills and confidence they need to help children navigate distance learning and participate effectively and safely in today's digital world. Based on content from PLA's DigitalLearn.org training site, courses will address critical, basic skills such as searching, navigating a website, using passwords, and avoiding scams. New content will also be developed focusing on using mobile devices and video conferencing. All courses and related classroom training materials will be available in both English and Spanish.

     

    Learn more.

     

    Upcoming EDI and Social Justice Opportunities for Library Workers

    ALA's Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services maintains a list of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) opportunities that are geared toward the LIS profession.

     

    Library workers are encouraged to complete this form to add any and all upcoming EDI events that include registration options for individuals outside of a particular institution/membership organization.

     

    View the resource.

    New on Intersections

    Have you visited Intersections lately? Intersections, ODLOS' blog, highlights the work of library and information science workers as they create safe, responsible, and all-inclusive spaces that serve and represent the entire community, as well as initiatives and projects supported by the office that promotes their work.

     

    This past month, ODLOS has highlighted stories on new library initiatives, Spectrum Scholar Q&As, and success stories from EDI trainings.

     

    Peruse the blog posts and offer your own thoughts by visiting Intersections.

    What our Affiliates are Doing

    While the American Library Association collaborates with 27 affiliates, the Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services works closely with 8 groups.

     

    These affiliate groups are created based on ethnicity, geographical locations, and interests. Affiliate groups are not governed by ALA but their mission and work often align with ALA's.

     

    Learn more about these affiliates here.

     

    Continue reading for their monthly updates.

     

    ABOS is Accepting Nominations

     

    ABOS is now accepting nominations for its annual Awards Program. The deadline is July 16, 2021, at 5 p.m. CST. For more information and to submit your nomination, please visit: https://abos-outreach.com/awards.

    AILA President Interviews Joy Harjo

     

    As part of PBS Books' Trailblazing Women Writers series, AILA President Cindy Hohl interviewed Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. The program aired on April 27 and the recording is available.

    Happenings in APALA

     

    APALA is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and a virtual gathering will be shared in June. APALA election for executive board candidates are up and thanks to all the members who are running! Check out the APALA Author Interview Series - recent ones featured Mia P. Manansala and Tina Cho. APALA member Michelle Lee published an article on youth books that deal with anti-Asian hate in The New York Times.

    ARSL is Accepting Conference Scholarship Applications

     

    The application window for the four ARSL conference scholarships (the ARSL Angels, Dr. Vavrek, Founders, and Ken Davenport scholarships) is officially open! Interested applicants will have until Friday, May 28 to submit their applications at www.arsl.org/arsl-scholarships.

    BCALA Announces New Award

     

    The Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. (BCALA) will present, in partnership with School Library Journal (SLJ), an inaugural set of awards honoring outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction for children and young adults by African American authors. Learn more.

    CALA Announces New Taskforce

     

    The CALA Fundraising and Public Relations Committee is pleased to announce the formation of a CALA/YALSA Joint Booklist Taskforce in partnership with ALSC. The taskforce collaboration will produce a booklist to celebrate Chinese American creators and stories in youth literature. The youth booklist(s) will be released in 2023 in celebration of CALA's 50th anniversary. Serve on the taskforce.

    Support JCLC

     

    Donate to the Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC) to support the work and address common needs of librarians of color.

    REFORMA Seeks Proposals

     

    RNC VII - REFORMA's national conference will be virtual in 2021. The REFORMA National Conference is the premier training and networking event for anyone interested in library services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking. REFORMA invites those interested in sharing their work with the library community and colleagues to submit a proposal by May 29, 2021.

    That's it from us this month. Take care of yourselves and we'll see you in June.

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    Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services

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    --

    Edward Garcia
    Library Director, Cranston Public Library

    2020 Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize winner- Cranston Public Library
    Executive Board, American Library Association, 2018-2021
    Chair, Legislative Action Committee, Rhode Island Library Association
    Member, ALA Philanthropy Advisory Group, 2019-2021
    Founding Member of the 1876 Club at the ALA Legacy Society
    My Pronouns are he/him