Resources:
State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly published a series of op-eds on equity, inclusion, and diversity. The series of messages from Dr. Underly underscore the importance of teaching about race and racism in Wisconsin schools, confronting racism and disparities, and the need for schools to be welcoming and inclusive places.
ALA, in collaboration with the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation), has released Thinking Money for All Kids: Diverse and Inclusive Reads to Teach Young People About Money, a free resource for library workers.
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Diversifying your presentation images It is important that the images of people we use in presentations – and on our websites – show the diversity that exists in our communities and among those that we serve.
Continuing Education:
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Discussion Session: Understanding Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matter in Majority White Spaces This session is an opportunity to “debrief” on the content of the last webinar in a safe and respectful environment with colleagues. Choose a time that works for you and sign up!
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Providing Immigration Help with Community Partnerships – 1 p.m. on May 5
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Guest webinar to feature perspectives on eliminating bias in the library
Registration is open for Move Over Melvil: Towards More Inclusive and Accessible Library Collections. The webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, May 11, 3:30-4:30 and will feature staff from two public libraries and one high school.
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UW iSchool: The Disability Community in the Library, Jul 11 – Aug 21
Consumables:
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After ‘Community for All’ battle, Marathon County Board eliminates Diversity Affairs Commission A newly elected County Board voted to end the 9-member commission, which had a mission of promoting diversity.
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Madison Public Library Allows Anti-Transgender Group To Rent Space For Conference A gathering of self-professed “trans-exclusionary radical feminist” activists gathered in Madison at the end of April. Asked why the group was allowed to book the room at Central Library in the first place, MPL explained that they relied on the City Attorney’s guidance, as well as their own meeting room policy, which is heavily informed by the American Library Association’s Bill of Rights and MPL’s commitments to freedom of speech.
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The Largest Sikh Book Collection in Wisconsin, and Possibly the Nation, Now Resides in Oak Creek A collection of books about the Sikh faith and traditions is now available at the Oak Creek Public Library in a first-of-its-kind collection. About 120 books, movies, and other items available for checkout are on display in Oak Creek, making the largest collection in the state, and possibly the country.
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Spooner Chosen for Participation in Wisconsin Humanities’ New Community Resilience Initiative Throughout the past two years of pandemic challenges, the community in Spooner has proven its resilience. Now, Spooner has an opportunity to explore the sources of that resilience through Wisconsin Humanities’ new Community Powered initiative.
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Evaluating Diverse Texts in Morse Library-Beloit College Library and Information Technology Services piloted a program to assess its print materials for diverse subjects and authors, making a more welcoming library for all.
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Downtown Ann Arbor District Library installs free Narcan vending machine The vending machine was installed by Home of New Vision, an organization devoted to supporting those with substance abuse issues.
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5 things I learned as a first-time manager in a predominantly-white academic library
Diverse Holidays in May:
Mental Health Awareness Month: recognizes the impact of mental illness on families and communities, and raises awareness for those living with mental and behavioral issues.
Older Americans Month: celebrates the contributions of older Americans in the country.
Jewish American Heritage Month: honors the history of American Jews and their accomplishments.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: pays tribute to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their contributions to society.
5/1 – Beltane: (Pagan) festival held on the first day of May in Ireland and Scotland, celebrating the beginning of summer and open pasturing.
5/1 – International Workers Day: On 21 April 1856, Australian stonemasons in Victoria undertook a mass stoppage as part of the eight-hour workday movement. It became a yearly commemoration, inspiring American workers to have their first stoppage. May 1st was chosen to be International Workers’ Day to commemorate the 1886 Haymarket affair in Chicago.
5/3 – Eid al-Fitr: (also known as Sweet Eid or Lesser Eid) is one of the most important festivals in the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset throughout Ramadan (the 9th month of the Islamic calendar). Once they see the Shawwal moon, people start the celebration for Eid al-Fitr, which lasts for three days.
5/5 – Cinco de Mayo: commemorates Mexico’s defeat of the French army.
5/8 – Birthday of the Buddha (Buddhist): celebrates the spiritual leader who launched one of the world’s most popular religions.
5/15 – The International Day of Families: This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic, and demographic processes affecting families.
5/17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia: this date honors the decision to remove homosexuality from the International Classifications of Diseases of the WHO in 1990. On this day, 132 countries coordinate international events that raise awareness of LGBT rights.
5/19 – Birthday of Malcolm X: Malcolm X was a Black Muslim minister, well known for his activism during the civil rights movement. He was assassinated in 1965.
5/21 – World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development: The day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to advance the four goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions adopted on 20 October 2005: Support sustainable systems of governance for culture, Achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increase the mobility of artists and cultural professionals, Integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks, Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.
5/22 – Harvey Milk Day: Harvey Milk Day celebrates the life and political accomplishments of Harvey Milk, the first openly-gay elected official in the United States.
5/24 – Pansexual Visibility Day: Pan visibility day is an opportunity to raise awareness and improve inclusivity for pansexual people. The word pansexuality originally comes from Greek; pan meaning ‘all’. Pansexual people are attracted to people of all genders.
5/24 – Declaration of the Báb: This date marks the anniversary of the Báb’s announcement of his mission in 1844. The Báb is a prophet and is considered one of the founders of the Baha’i faith.
5/26 – Ascension of Christ: This day observes the departure of Jesus from earth after his resurrection.
5/28 – Ascension of Baha’u’lláh: It commemorates the anniversary of the death in 1892 of Baha’u’lláh, the founder of the Baha’í faith.
5/30 – Memorial Day: Memorial Day is meant to honor all of the people who have died while serving in all of the U.S. military branches.