2024 Core Forum

Neurodiversity within the librarian professional is often neglected as a subject of scholarly conversation. With higher rates of neurodivergent students approaching traditional college-age, it is more important than ever to embrace neurodivergence within the academic library. This starts with fostering an inclusive environment for library staff, faculty, students, and patrons. Hiring a neurodiverse library staff creates a safe space for neurodivergent students through example. Neurodivergent library staff can also work with library administration to incorporate inclusive mental and physical spaces within the library. The concept of the library as a safe-space for college students is a familiar narrative, and this sentiment should be extended to library staff as well.

Recently, a HBCU started a pilot project capturing the stories of immigrant students and intertwining them with the learning experiences of the text Our Stories Carried Us Here. This project began as a collaborative effort with the library, College of Liberal Arts and the Office of International Affairs. One objective this project seeks to answer is, "What impact does attending a historically black university play on domestic, as well international students, success in  (1) debunking myths, stereotypes, and/or biases of individuals born in different regions; (2) gaining new insights on immigration issues; (3) and expanding awareness of international issues?" A second objective is to aid in broadening the knowledge of all student's values, cultural practices, roles, and ritualized procedures that tie them together while meeting the mission of the HBCU. This interactive workshop recaps the first semester of International Our Voices and the progression of future projects at the HBCU to answer the question above. Audience members will engage in (1) addressing strategic inclusive efforts for international students that involve domestic students; (2) learning the dynamic of Story Stitch circles for campus team gatherings; and (3) considering best practices for starting digital storytelling practices and library archival options.

As the transgender population increases in size and visibility, a resulting backlash has gripped America--and libraries are in the crossfire. Misinformation campaigns targeting transgender people are being leveraged as part of a concerted effort to censor books, displays, and programs; reduce free access for patrons of all ages; harass or threaten library and information science (LIS) workers; and interfere with or even shut down the operations of libraries across the country. Thus, LIS workers have a major stake in understanding and combatting anti-trans misinformation when they encounter it; but, due to these campaigns' widespread nature, it can be difficult for the average person to discern between what is fact, what's fiction, and what's opinion. Learn how and why anti-trans misinformation is created and spread, how you can distinguish between reliable and unreliable information, and why LIS workers have a uniquely important part to play in speaking out against anti-trans misinformation.

Embedding EDI into organizations requires strategic tools and practical approaches to create impact and represent diverse individuals and equity seeking groups. Our organization has undertaken several projects to address issues of inequality and access. These efforts have been coordinated by the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Strategist, the Community Engagement Librarian and the DEIA committee. Examples include hosting a Drag Story Time in collaboration with the Campus Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office, expanding and developing more formal prayer spaces in the library with the Muslim Student Association, hosting a Library Night @ Varsity Volleyball with Athletics and Recreation, having our local public library’s Bookmobile weekly stop on campus, creating a pronoun usage guide, developing diverse library displays and reading lists to represent cultural observances during the year and a Black History Month reading event.