Diversity, Equity & Inclusion | A Newsletter to Reflect, Inform, and Inspire | |
|
Gather & Grow 2023:
Body Talk Recap
By Alex Andrasik (he/him), Penn Yan Public Library
Bethany Snyder joined us to share her views and recommendations for treating people of all body types with respect, dignity and love - especially people in fat bodies, since we live in a very fatphobic world. (And yes, "fat" is the term preferred by Snyder and most other fat activists, because other words can be needlessly pathologizing or moralizing!) "When we have discussions about equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, we rarely think about the size of people’s bodies as part of those conversations. But we need to," Snyder said. At a very basic level, libraries can do so by considering whether our spaces are accommodating of all bodies - for example, whether our chairs all have arms on them, which can be problematic to people in large bodies. Snyder also reminded us that not everyone wants to talk about food, exercise, and bodies through the lens of weight loss and achieving thinness. "While it may seem 'normal,' consider that these conversations—which assume that we all agree that a smaller body is a better, more worthy body—can be harmful," Snyder said. Whether you’re a fat person learning to be kind and easy with yourself, or you’re a thin person who can provide allyship to fat people, Snyder urged us all just to be there for each other. You can learn more about her work and thoughts by searching "Finding Body Peace" on Facebook.
| | |
|
|
Join the DEI Committee!
Are you interested in working with other Southern Tier Library System folks on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and social justice initiatives? Consider joining the DEI Committee!
Open to all; please email DEI Committee Chair, Sally Jacoby Murphy, to express interest: [email protected]
| |
|
STEM Equity in Libraries
By Melanie Miller (she/her), Alfred Box of Books Library
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are some of the fastest growing careers. With the increasing demand for employees in these fields, there has been an increased awareness of STEM education and the ways in which traditional American education is leaving behind huge segments of its population. Women, ethnic minorities, students from low-income households and students with disabilities are underrepresented in STEM fields, and there is an increasing need for informal STEM education.
Informal education typically occurs at museums, after school programs, and libraries. Libraries are perfectly situated to offer informal STEM education for many reasons. Perhaps the most significant is that there are over 17,000 public libraries nationwide, making libraries more accessible to more people. By offering STEM education closer to home, libraries are poised to reach more individuals and families.
Libraries also offer their service at no cost. Museums and zoos often have admission rates, after school programs sometimes have weekly fees associated with attendance, and camp-type programs have registrations fees that often present barriers to individuals in lower income households. Libraries have a higher “repeat visitation” rate than other informal education settings like museums or zoos.
Countless surveys and reports have shown that Americans view libraries favorably and that they provide resources, information, and safety. This is particularly true for members of minority groups such as those under-represented in STEM fields.
Libraries often have strong community partnerships with other organizations that provide resources to young people. This creates stronger relationships within the community.
So how can libraries bridge the gaps for these underrepresented groups of students?
- Ensure access to technology. Apply for grants and seek resources to provide up-to-date technology such as computers, software, and printers. Allow students time to explore technology through dedicated programming such as Minecraft builds, Scratch Jr, or creating a Library of Things that contains tech items.
- Promote STEM based books. Be sure to collect items for children, teens, and adults in science, technology, engineering or math. You can use booklists provided by various book vendors or publishers.
- Incorporate STEM learning into programming you’re already doing. If you’re hosting a storytime, you can include science based activities to supplement the story. There are a ton of resources available on starnetlibraries.org for program ideas for all ages and budgets.
- Collaborate with community organizations or businesses. Invite a local gardener to teach a gardening (science) workshop. Ask a local business to donate seeds. Watch seeds grow and record their progress during storytime. Make a chart (math) to record the seed growth. Test various materials to use as stakes to support plants such as beans (engineering) and predict what material will work the best at the lowest cost. Invite local experts to hold programs on stargazing, ask local businesses to sponsor a Lego club.
To learn more about the roles library can play in STEM equity, you can read the full report STEM Equity in Informal Learning Settings: The Role of Public Libraries here.
| |
|
DEI Podcasts
By Melanie Miller (she/her), Alfred Box of Books Library
Podcasts are a great way to learn a lot in a short amount of time. There is a podcast on nearly any topic you can think of, including libraries! Here are a few that center diversity, equity, and inclusion in many of their topics, whether in book recommendations, current events, and library services.
-
Kidlit These Days is a podcast produced by Book Riot. This podcast covers all things children’s literature, especially diversity. The podcast hasn’t produced an episode since 2021, but it covers issues like the Americans with Disabilities Act, neurodiversity, and so much more!
-
Book Friends Forever is a podcast hosted by two friends, publisher Alvina Ling and award winning author and illustrator Grace Lin. The podcast focuses on children’s literature and publishing and includes many topics related to Asian American experiences.
-
Lifelines: Books That Bridge the Divide is a podcast hosted by authors Ann Braden and Saadia Faruqi. This podcast focuses primarily on middle grade fiction.
-
The Library Pros is a podcast from Long Island, New York. This podcast covers topics like mental health, the experiences of librarians of color, and many other topics through interviews and conversations with librarians from all over the globe.
-
FYI Podcast is the Public Library Association’s podcast that discusses all topics related to public libraries. It also covers many DEI-related topics including racial equity, incarceration, and homelessness.
| | | |
|
Recommendations for Your Collection
By Kelly Povero (she/her), Watkins Glen Public Library
| |
Middle Grade / Juvenile Fiction | |
|
I Am Kavi by Thushanthi Ponweera (September 2023).
This middle grade novel-in-verse takes place in Colombo, Sri Lanka during the raging 1998 Sri Lankan Civil War. Kavi comes from a poverty-stricken family and receives a scholarship to attend a prestigious new school. At her new school, Kavi tries to fit in with the wealthy, elite students that now surround her, and worries the secret of her true identity will drive them away.
| |
|
The Cricket War by Tho Pham and Sandra McTavish (October 2023)
Based on the author’s personal experience, this is the story of Tho Pham and his escape from Communist Vietnam in 1980. Tho Pham is a 12-year-old that lives in South Vietnam with his family. He is shocked when his father announces that he will travel by boat and leave Vietnam. Although fictional, this story includes many factual details about his journey on the South China Sea and in a Philippine refugee camp.
| |
|
Barely Floating by Lilliam Rivera (August 2023)
Natalia De La Cruz Rivera y Santiago loves to swim. When \she sees the LA Mermaids perform, Nat knows that synchronized swimming has stolen her heart. Her parents, however, think that swimming is a sport with too much emphasis on looks – specifically, being thin and white. This book explores positive body image and community building.
| |
|
Keynan Masters and the Peerless Magic Crew by DeVaun Sanders (October 2023)
For lovers of Rick Riordan and J.K. Rowling comes a new middle-grade fantasy series following Keynan Masters and his stay at an elite art school called Peerless Academy. But what Keynan discovers is corrupt magic, unexplainable portals, and that he can churn out magic using poetry and rhythm.
| |
|
My Name by Supriya Kelkar (August 2023)
Celebrate yourself and all things that make you unique – including your name.
| |
|
Too Much: An Overwhelming Day by Jolene Gutierrez (August 2023)
Explore the struggle of sensory processing disorder and learn that it’s OK if some days are just too much.
| |
|
Broken Crayons Still Color by Toni Collier (August 2023)
When anxious and emotional Avery breaks her crayons, she discovers that they have feelings and personalities, too.
| |
|
Julie and the Mango Tree by Sade Smith (August 2023)
Will Julie ever be able to convince the mango tree in her front yard to let her have her favorite treat?
| |
|
The Runaway Dosa by Suma Subramaniam (September 2023)
Inspired by The Gingerbread Man and the popular Tamil rhyme “Dosai! Amma, Dosai,” this story is a magical trip for Akka as she discovers many creatures in Indian mythology after bringing her yummy dosa to life.
| |
|
This Book is Banned by Raj Haldar (September 2023)
The perfect way to explain to children what it means to ‘ban’ something – even if it means banning avocadoes, hippopotamuses, and birthday cakes.
| |
|
Say My Name by Joanna Ho (September 2023)
A celebration if cultural identities and confidence in yourself.
| |
|
The Unstoppable Jamie by Joy Givens (September 2023)
Jamie and his trusted cape are excited to visit New York City to see his photo displayed in Times Square at the National Down Syndrome Society’s Buddy Walk. But what happens when Jamie feels overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the big city?
| |
|
More Resources Brought to You by the DEI Committee
If you’re looking for social media content, the DEI Committee has created a series of Read-A-Likes to promote reading diversely. Share these on your social media or print them out for a display or shelf-talker.
The Southern Tier Library System has also created a DEI LibGuide. This guide is full of information on various topics related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
| | |
|
Access Past Issues of the DEI Newsletter
Check out past issues of the newsletter here!
| | | | |
