First Up on the Agenda: Let’s Talk About Diversity

Good morning from overcast and “warm” Chicago!

Where will I be all day?  Talking about the importance of diversity!

I was invited to take part as a facilitator in the Association for Library Services to Children’s Day of Diversity:  Dialogue and Action in Children’s Literature and Library Programming, an all day symposium focusing on just what the title implies — Diversity in Children’s Lit & Library Programming.  There will be a Keynote, 3 panels, and 2 corresponding breakout sessions (one of which I’ll be co-facilitating) — I’ll give each major section a separate blog to come later in the evening or tomorrow morning.  An outline of our day and background on the need/guiding discussion going on in the community is linked here in case you’re interested or can’t wait for my report — It includes links to some really great reading regarding the topic of diversity in lit and libs.  I especially appreciated K.T. Horning’s article and Balderamma’s.

Upcoming Blogs to Look Forward To:

• Keynote:   From Broken Yolks to Party Folks: The Importance of Libraries and Literacy in Keeping Diversity Alive For Our Children
• Panel 1/Breakout 1:  Diversity in Children’s Literature: History and Myths/Show Me the Diversity!
• Panel 2/Breakout 2:  Literacy Programming: Forming Partnerships and Sharing Resources/Partners in Diversity
• Panel 3/Wrap Up & Next Steps:  Moving into Action

I also live-tweeted the event @lessalibrarian using #diversitymatters and #stepitup

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Post-Conference Update —

My blogs were initially written for work, which is why they are fairly detailed with little commentary — I wanted to give people at home full access and room to make their own decisions.  Debbie Reese is doing a wonderful job of compiling blogs and thoughts from the day (in addition to her own), and I encourage you to check all of those out as well.  There is never enough time during these days to accomplish all we want to accomplish and make all of the action plans we want to make, but I hope that everyone walked away with at least a handful of actions for the next week, month, 6 months, and year.  I know I did.