Hello Colleagues,
ALA Annual Conference is quickly approaching. As you schedule your virtual experience, please consider viewing and supporting Strengthening Societies: Libraries as Critical Institutions in Helping Communities Manage Change, available On Demand. This session and pre-recorded Q&A are moderated by members of the ALA International Relations Round Table Papers and Projects Session Committee.
The committee is pleased to welcome speakers from China, Singapore, and the US! This session explores how libraries support their communities during times of unrest and uncertainty that can cause collective trauma. Speakers will explore how their libraries play a role in keeping their communities strong and resilient, from disaster recovery, stepping up to address inequality, providing social and mental support, facilitating conversations and actions, whether it is social justice or bridging understanding, all the way to preparing for longer term changes in the way we deliver services and content. This session is not about COVID-19, as a pandemic is just one (albeit a very challenging one) scenario that can affect the fabric of society.
In this session, participants will acquire new ideas on how to support their own communities facing possible disruptions, such as pandemics, natural disasters, political instability, violence, or economic downturns; will be able to identify what resources (financial, technological, human) may be needed in order to support a community in crisis; and, will be able (if they choose) to connect with the speakers and share experiences of their own libraries in supporting communities in crisis.
Three presentations are featured:
1. Little Free Classes in Rural Non-government Libraries: the Combination of Online Resources with Offline Learning for Left-behind Children, presented by Zizhou Wang and Xiaofang Zhang, Research Group on the Development of Non-government Libraries, Department of Information Management, Peking University, Beijing, China
2. Championing Inclusive Digital Learning at our Libraries, presented by Pek Seah, Senior Manager (Digital Readiness) with National Library Board, Singapore
3. Reimagining Diversity at the Leatherby Libraries: A Strategy for Success, presented by Essraa Nawar, MBA, MA, MLIS Leatherby Libraries Development Librarian Chair, Arts, Exhibits and Events Committee Chapman University, Orange, CA, and Kevin Ross, Ph.D., MLS Interim Dean Leatherby Libraries Chapman University, Orange, CA.
The presentations are followed by pre-recorded Q&A session.
Attached is an accessible pdf flyer for Strengthening Societies: Libraries as Critical Institutions in Helping Communities Manage Change, available On Demand, and social media graphics that can be shared with your communities. Conference registration is required to view the session.
Thank you for supporting Strengthening Societies: Libraries as Critical Institutions in Helping Communities Manage Change and the work of the ALA International Relations Round Table Papers and Projects Session Committee.
With gratitude and compassion,
Brea Henson
On behalf of the ALA International Relations Round Table Papers and Projects Session Committee
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BreaHenson
She/Her/Hers
Outreach and Instruction Librarian
University of North Texas
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