We can't wait to see you at the American Library Association's Annual Conference and Exhibit in Chicago, June 22-27, 2023. Join the Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) at the following events:
Saturday, June 24, 2023 - McCormick Place, W181A (2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Chair's Program:
Title: Censorship and Diversity: How Do Librarians Continue to Protect the Rights of Marginalized Communities Amid Targeted Book Challenges?
This session will discuss the recent uptick in censorship challenges that have been taking place across the nation. Moderated by Dr. Andrea Jamison, four panelists will discuss how librarians can continue advocating for diverse books and preserve the First Amendment Rights of those communities targeted by censors. This session will serve as a call to action to encourage librarians to align professional practices with ALA's Library Bill of Rights.
Panelist(s):
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KC Boyd, Jefferson Middle School (EMIERT Chair Elect)
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Amy Hermon, School Librarians United Podcast
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Emma McNamara, University of DC
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Caitlyn Stewart, Illinois State University
The event will also honor and acknowledge the 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Librarian Award: Evelyn Shimazu Yee Press Release
Saturday, June 24, 2023 - Hilton Chicago, Continental C (11:00 a.m. - 12 Noon)
Right to Read-A-Thon
In the pursuit of "Literacy and Justice for All," LiteracyNation-ALA, along with Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT), Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table (CSKBART), Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC), and Pennsylvania Black Librarians Caucus are pleased to announce an important and exciting event.
If you would like to read during EMIERT's sponsored hour, EMIERT members are encouraged to sign up using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948A4AC23A0FAC70-right5
If you are able to read, but would like to make a donation, visit: https://literacynationinc.org/#:~:text=This%20fundraiser%20will%20be%20held,a%20book%20of%20their%20choice).
Sunday, June 25, 2023 - McCormick Place, W190A (11:30 a.m. -1 p.m.) Poster 10
ALA's Diversity Fair: EMIERT Presents Diverse BookFinders:
In recent racially-diverse children's books, who is represented?
And how are they represented – what are the dominant messages or themes about each group? These are the questions that fueled the creation of the Diverse BookFinder (DBF), an online, searchable database and associated physical collection initially designed to facilitate the discoverability and exploration of picture books featuring Black and Indigenous people and People of Color (BIPOC) characters.
What makes the DBF collection database unique is both its comprehensive picture book collection and its categorization of books by race and culture but also by the themes in the story, revealing how different groups are portrayed.
Our poster introduces new directions for the DBF, named a 2021 Best Digital Tool by the American Association of School Librarians. Supported by a second Institute of Museum and Library Services grant, the DBF has entered a new phase of work that codes not only diverse picture books but also early readers, middle grade and young adult works, and graphic novels.
Sunday, June 25, 2023 (2:30- 4:00) Doors will open at 2 p.m. Must RSVP for event location!
The Taste of The Town: Jazzin' in Chicago
Want to experience the tastes and sounds of Chicago at ALA Annual? Join members of EMIERT for our annual Taste of the Town on Sunday, June 25, 2023. This year's theme is "Jazz in the City." Enjoy lunch, meet bestselling authors, mingle with EMIERT members, and listen to the sounds of JAZZ. This event is free; however, space is limited. Click here to Register or Register via https://forms.gle/Jgnvv1uqaQaCti3D8
Author Meet and Greet
Book Giveaway
Featured Authors: (see below)
Aaron Bagley is a seventh level wizard who draws for a living. He likes to draw what he observes (people, boats, cats), and what he experiences (dreams, feelings, life events). His work has been featured in The Virginia Quarterly Review, Seattle's The Stranger, The Seattle Weekly, The Seattle Review of Books, and so many more, collect them all, yadda yadda yadda. Above all else, Aaron loves collaborating with his wife Jessixa. Their book, Vincent Comes Home, was published in 2018 (Roaring Brook Press).
Jessixa Bagley is children's book author/illustrator with a background in fine art and comics. She has had work featured in publications such as: New American Paintings, Nickelodeon Magazine, Highlights Magazine, and Illustoria Magazine. Her debut picture book, Boats for Papa, received numerous awards and accolades including the 2016 SCBWI Golden Kite Award for best picture book text and a 2016 Washington State Book Award. Her picture book Laundry Day received a 2018 Ezra Jack Keats Honor Award for writing. Many of her picture books are also Junior Library Guild Selections. In her work, she is drawn to animals and emotional themes inspired by her own experiences. Jessixa also teaches and speaks about writing and illustration. She often illustrates for other writers and artistically collaborates with her husband, Aaron Bagley. Jessixa lives in Seattle, WA with her husband and son. She is represented by Alexandra Penfold at Upstart Crow Literary.
Patty Cisneros Prevo (she/her) is a first-generation Mexican-American, writer, two-time Paralympic gold medalist, and proud mom and partner. She also works as a Diversity & Inclusion manager at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. Her manuscript for Tenacious won the 2018 Lee & Low New Voices Award Honor and marks her debut as an author. Learn more about her at pattycisnerosprevo.com.
Tracy Occomy Crowder (she/her) is a community organizer who has worked to address issues of racial equity across Illinois for the past thirty years, particularly in housing and education. In this work, she brought recess back to Chicago Public Schools. As an author, she enjoys creating work steeped in African-American history, culture, struggles, and human foibles as well as share unknown historical facts with humor and everyday experiences. Montgomery and the Case of the Golden Key is Tracy's first middle grade novel.
Sponsors of EMIERT's Taste of the Town
Full Announcement: ALA EMIERT Events at Annual 2023
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Andrea Jamison, PhD
Assistant Professor of School Librarianship
Illinois State University
[She/Her/Hers]
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