Name and Title: Tina McPherson, Librarian & Business Faculty
Library, School, or Organization Name: Bryant & Stratton College – Richmond Campus
Co-Presenter Name(s): N/A
Area of the World from Which You Will Present: Richmond, Virginia
Language in Which You Will Present: English
Target Audience(s): Anyone who is interested in diversity/inclusion/belonging/sustainability initiatives, leadership for social equality, and the role of libraries as contributors to community resilience.
Full Session Description:LIBRARIES AS CONTRIBUTORS TO COMMUNITY RESILIENCE: OUR ROLE IN DIVERSITY COMMITTEE INITIATIVES & LEADERSHIP FOR SOCIAL EQUALITY WORKSHOP – This workshop will explore how libraries can contribute to community resilience work by creating a culture of respect, understanding, and empathy in the library’s physical and virtual resource and service areas. The library’s role in diversity committee initiatives and leadership for social equality is an important and timely topic in the midst of domestic and global Covid-19 pandemic and social injustice challenges. According to Pew Research Center (2020), “a majority of Asian Americans (58%) and 45% of Black Americans say that it is more common for people to express racist views toward their group since the coronavirus outbreak” (p.9). There is data to support than many humans of diverse ethnicity, age, gender, and beyond do not feel belonging. Let us work together as change agents to fix this cultural challenge – call to action for all libraries.
Attend this workshop to explore and participate in diversity and inclusion discussion and activities to practice in your library community and beyond.
References:
Pew Research Center, July 2020, “Many Black and Asian Americans Say They Have Experienced Discrimination Amid the COVID-19 Outbreak”
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