Abstract
This chapter explores five key components of building an inclusive library space: community, collection, environment/promotions, programming, and policies/staff. These components can be implemented in every type of library, including public, school, academic, special, and more. The “Community” section explains how to identify and connect with the library's community. The “Collection” portion explores building a diverse and inclusive collection of resources. The “Environments/Promotions” section discusses the library atmosphere, including signage, displays, and digital spaces. “Programming” explains how library programs can be designed and implemented to support justice, equity, and diversity. And “Staff and Policies” explores the rules and guidelines of the library for staff and patrons, as well as hiring and training staff for inclusivity and diversity.
TopIdentifying And Connecting With Your Community
To best serve the library’s community in alignment with JEDI principles, library professionals must first identify their community. There are two ways of gathering information about the library community: observation and data. Both are necessary to provide the most needed, desired, and accessible resources to patrons.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Censorship: The suppression, restriction, destruction, or removal of resources deemed offensive or unacceptable.
Weeding: The process of identifying, selecting, and removing materials from the library collection.
Microaggression: Subtle, indirect, or unintentional discrimination against a marginalized group.
Programming: The designing and implementing of planned activities, typically group activities, that encourage patrons to use library resources. They can include book clubs, crafting groups, author presentations, classes, workshops, and more.
Policies: A set of guidelines and rules the library staff and patrons must follow in order to work in and use the library space and its resources.
Cultural iceberg: The surface-level or apparent aspects of a culture that are visible to an observer, that does not include or address the deeper foundations, such as the underlying principles and beliefs, of the culture.
Accessibility: An object, place, or idea’s ease of use, entry, and being understood.
Display: Anything from a selection of books arranged on a table to an elaborate, interactive wall space. Any arrangement of materials within the library walls to promote library resources is a display. They can be temporary or more permanent. This is separate from signage, flyers, or artwork.