| Upcoming Events in the Community | SRRT Virtual Summit 2024 "Abolitionist Visions and Intersections: Centering Human Relationships and Building Institutional Connections for Social Justice," SRRT Virtual Summit, March 19, 2024 This conference places abolitionism as philosophy and practice in conversation with libraries and the broader community services and human resources landscape of which they are a part. It is inspired by SRRT's broader effort to encourage expansive, provocative, cross-disciplinary conversations that center intersectional issues and struggles. We invite provocative and engaging explorations of the convergences, tensions, and disjunctions between abolitionism and library work and the many other areas of action, engagement, and inquiry that abolitionism touches on. Potential topics include arts programming, literacy, and educational opportunities in prisons; policing and public safety; prison and jail libraries; racism and mass incarceration; parole, probation, and reentry; youth justice; information access and censorship in carceral settings; inside organizing; and more. We expect that many presentations will discuss the work of libraries and librarians, but we also hope that, in the vein of knowledge justice, we spotlight issues, experiences, and voices that deepen our understanding of how information is of use and put to use in carceral settings, as seen through the lens and in the voices of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people themselves. All people with lived experience expertise will be compensated for their participation. Visit the website for a detailed description of scope, suggested topics, and link to the speaker submission form: https://www.ala.org/rt/srrt/events/abolitionist-visions-intersections. Submissions are due February 15, 2024. Event registration will open mid-February. Please reach out to Rachel Rosekind for more information: rosekindness@gmail.com. | Courage Is Not Contagious Today we Celebrate the Importance and power of Black History Month. Black History 365. February stands as the grand celebration, not the end all be all. Thank you to Dr. Carter G. Woodson and https://asalh.org/ for continuing the work. This year's theme is Black History and the Arts. BCALA stands on the shoulders of giants Effie Lee Morris & Dr. E. J. Josey as well as many others. IBlackCacus is a vital organization providing support and empowerment for Black/African American LIS graduate students. Our mission is to amplify POC voices, ensuring their perspectives are acknowledged and valued within the LIS community. This spring, we're launching monthly guided study sessions, alternating between Saturdays and Sundays for flexibility. Check our website for session times. In celebration of Black History Month, we're proud to present "Courage can be Contagious": a speaker series exploring intellectual freedom and information weaponization in America, scheduled for February 21, 2022, at 2 pm EST. | Lessons from Historic Black Activist Librarianship As the semester progresses, join us on April 10th for a student-led discussion in our Real Talk series: "Does 'Blacktivist' Librarianship Exist?: Lessons from Historic Black Activist Librarianship." Stay updated on these events and more at https://breakingbarriers.bcala.org/. Join us as we uplift and unite Black scholars in LIS. | Culture Keepers XII: Unity in Diversity: Stronger Together in the African Diaspora Get ready to dive into a whirlwind of excitement at the upcoming National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL) held July 24th – 27th, 2024 at the New Orleans Marriott hotel. Step into a dynamic space where Black librarians and information professionals gather to celebrate innovation in all fields of the profession. From exploring the invaluable contributions of Black authors and scholars to discussing strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion within library spaces, this summit offers a platform for empowerment, connection, and advancement. With thought-provoking discussions, enlightening workshops, and inspiring keynote speakers, NCAAL XII is poised to ignite passion and foster collaboration among Black library professionals. Join us as we honor our past, embrace our present, and shape the future of librarianship through the lens of Black excellence. This is more than a conference; it's a transformative journey toward equity, representation, and cultural resurgence in libraries nationwide. | External Professional Development Opportunities: Disability and Accessibility Focus Transforming Librarianship to Model Neuro Inclusion in Libraries Date/Time: February 28, 2024 - 3:00pm EST Register here: https://z.umn.edu/laa-webinar-registration While libraries are increasingly implementing practices and services designed to serve neurodivergent patrons, such efforts have not yet extended to neurodivergent library employees. This session will introduce participants to the neurodiversity employment movement and its impact in other fields, such as IT. The presenters will also share results from an IMLS-funded initiative that highlights the voices of neurodivergent librarians and their journey of negotiating identity as they face barriers and enablers to their success. Neurodivergent librarians are an important part of the profession, so it is imperative that libraries adopt neuro inclusive practices in their workplaces. Come learn what to consider at your library! | | | | | | |