Program

9:00–9:30 AM | Registration and Breakfast
 
9:30 AM | Welcome and Agreements

Presented by:
Kiera Parrott, Reviews Director, Library Journal and School Library Journal

10:05 AM | What Is Cultural Competency?

Presented by:
Shelley Diaz, Reviews Manager, School Library Journal
 
Participants will learn about the Bennet Model of Cultural Competency and test their skills at identifying the various stages of competency.

10:30 AM | Dimensions of Diversity

Presented by:
Mahnaz Dar, Reference and Professional Reading Editor, School Library Journal
 
“Diversity” is much more complex than basic differences among people; it is composed of core, primary, secondary, organizational, and era-based elements that comprise identity and impacts both private and public spheres of life. Participants will explore and discuss the distinctions.

11:00 AM | What is Intersectionality?

Presented by:
Shelley Diaz, Reviews Manager, School Library Journal
 
Participants will examine the concept of intersectionality and engage in an interactive activity designed to help them discuss their own salient identities and the experiences of others.

11:25 AM | Understanding and Exploring Privilege

Presented by:
Kiera Parrott, Reviews Director, Library Journal and School Library Journal
 
After learning about Peggy McIntosh’s famous “Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack” model, participants will explore ways that we enjoy privileges based on being members of social identity groups.

12:15 PM | Lunch

Over the lunch hour, participants will have an opportunity to submit anonymous questions to the workshop leaders via index cards.

1:15 PM | Evaluating Literature: What Makes a “Good Book”

Presented by:
Mahnaz Dar, Reference and Professional Reading Editor, School Library Journal
 
In small groups, participants will brainstorm and record the various qualities and elements that make for a “good book.”

1:25 PM | Windows and Mirrors Activity and Group Discussions

Presented by:
Kiera Parrott, Reviews Director, Library Journal and School Library Journal
Shelley Diaz, Reviews Manager, School Library Journal
 
Participants will learn about Rudine Sims Bishop’s “Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors” analogy for literature and discuss and record some of their own experiences with literature.

1:45 PM | Identifying Red Flags

A deep-dive into specific problematic areas that librarians, book selectors, and anyone engaging in readers’ advisory or book promotion should be aware of and able to identify.

Cultural “Appreciation” vs. Cultural Appropriation

Presented by:
Kiera Parrott, Reviews Director, Library Journal and School Library Journal

Harmful Stereotypes and Tropes

Presented by:
Shelley Diaz, Reviews Manager, School Library Journal

Loaded Words

Presented by:
Mahnaz Dar, Reference and Professional Reading Editor, School Library Journal

2:30 PM | Anti-Oppression, Allyship, and Emotional Labor

Presenter to be announced.
 
The creator of the Anti-Oppression Guide for Simmons College shares her expertise on the specific ways librarians can continue their own learning, be agents of positive change in their libraries and communities, while being sensitive and empowering allies.

3:00 PM | Town Hall/Q&A

The workshop leaders will address some of the questions submitted over the lunch break.

3:35 PM | How to Conduct a Diversity Audit

Presented by:
Kiera Parrott, Reviews Director, Library Journal and School Library Journal
 
Participants will learn how to get started on evaluating their current collection(s), selection process, and book promotions for diversity, inclusiveness, and equity.

4:00 PM | Your Resources Toolkit: Preferred Terminology and Terms; Style Guides

Presented by:
Mahnaz Dar, Reference and Professional Reading Editor, School Library Journal
 
An overview of some of the handouts included in each participant’s packet, including guides to terminology, common words and phrases to avoid, and updated style guides.

4:15 PM | Personal Action Plan

Presented by:
Shelley Diaz, Reviews Manager, School Library Journal
 
Participants will reflect on what they learned throughout the day and then focus on three main actions they would like to take at their library or school as a result. The action plans will be mailed back to participants 30 days after the end of the training.

Questions?
Contact sljevents@mediasourceinc.com.

Instructors

Anastasia “Stacy” Collins (she/her/hers) is a Liaison Librarian at the Simmons College Beatley Library where she provides research, teaching, and learning support with an emphasis in critical and anti-oppressive education. She developed an Anti-Oppression Guide for her library and has given several presentations on equity work in many facets of LIS. Outside of librarianship, Stacy is a children’s literature scholar and reviews children’s and YA books for Horn Book Magazine and Kirkus Reviews, addressing the role of reviewing in the production and dissemination of diverse books for children and young adults. Through all her professional roles, Stacy is an equity & justice educator and facilitates anti-oppression courses and workshops with the Anti-Racism Collaborative in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
 
Mahnaz Dar is the reference and professional reading editor at School Library Journal, where she handles graphic novels, reference materials, and professional reading titles, among others.
 
 
 
 
Shelley Diaz, MLIS, has worked in several areas of children’s publishing, from licensing to book scouting. She was the coeditor of Caridad Ferrer’s So She Dances and Gloria Whelan’s The Disappeared. Currently Reviews Manager and YA Editor at School Library Journal, she edits book reviews, conducts author interviews, and writes news articles on diversity issues. She can be found tweeting about books, TV shows, and movies @sdiaz101. She has moderated and participated in panels on children’s and young adult literature at the Comadres Writers Conference, New York Comic Con, Book Riot Live, Bank Street School of Education.
 
Kiera Parrott is the reviews director for Library Journal and School Library Journal, where she oversees a talented staff of editors and several thousand reviewers. In 2016, Kiera and colleague Shelley Diaz organized and taught an intensive eight-week training course on diversity and cultural literacy for reviewers. Before joining SLJ and LJ, Kiera was the head of children’s services at Darien Library (CT) and began her career at the New York Public Library. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, a librarian, and their cat, Larry.