Hi all! There is a lot in this month’s update! Please take some time and look over the information. Since it is National Suicide Awareness Month, I cannot stress how important it is to take time for mental health. Please take time to care for your whole self. I am here for you if you need anything.
Best,
Sherry
Resources:
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New LibGuide from Library of Congress: Indigenous Peoples of the Americas: The LOC Native American Collections Working Group is pleased to announce the publication of a new research guide: Indigenous Peoples of the Americas: A Guide to Resources at the Library of Congress. Intended as an entry point for finding Library of Congress resources related to Indigenous peoples of the Americas, the guide includes links to select resources produced by individual divisions such as research guides, digital collections, Story Maps, and event video recordings. The guide aims, in spirit, to expand on the 1996 book Many nations : a Library of Congress resource guide for the study of Indian and Alaska Native Peoples of the United States, and provides a link to a digital copy of that original publication.
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Ensuring Web Content Accessibility in Libraries: A new update to the ADA has big implications for libraries. The update ensures web content will be accessible for people with disabilities in libraries. Under this rule, all local and state governments will need to meet international accessibility standards for online services and online electronic documents (WCAG 2.1 level AA) by 2026. While this may be a lengthy but necessary undertaking for many libraries, there are several easy things you can start doing now to ensure your web content is accessible.
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Neurodiversity and Invisible Disabilities (ND&ID) Bibliography: A working group from members of a ND&ID SIG joined together over the summer of 2024 to compile a bibliography of sources on the topics of neurodiversity and disability, broadly applied to libraries, archives, and museums. The bibliography is broken down by subtopic, and is accessible on this page.
Continuing Education:
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Telehealth 101: What libraries need to know, September 9 – October 7, 2024. Libraries in locations across the United States are beginning to offer their patrons access to telehealth services as a strategy for addressing inequities in digital access to healthcare. This NIH free class introduces telehealth, why it’s important, and how it enables people to have greater access to quality healthcare. Explore how different libraries provided patrons in their communities with access to telehealth services. This class will address privacy and ethical concerns, and review the technology and infrastructure needed to launch a successful telehealth program in your library. The class will consist of three one-hour modules.
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Wellness in the Library Workplace, September 16 – 27, 2024. Are you a dedicated library worker who helps your community find valuable health information? While you empower others, it’s crucial to consider your well-being. The connection between individual and community well-being is undeniable. Creating a workplace that fosters employee wellness helps improve staff health and patron services. Join the NIH in this free 2-week, 4-CE class to explore strategies for enhancing your well-being and cultivating a healthy work environment.
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Adaptive Umbrella Accessibility Workshop, October 1, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm. The Bloomfield Township Public Library is excited to welcome speakers with a lived disability experience, including our keynote speaker, Lucy Trieshmann, and closing keynote speaker, Ryan Honick. The day will include discussion on the topics of accessibility fundamentals and disability justice, conducting accessibility audits in our spaces, augmentative and alternative assistive technologies, creating an inclusive work culture, and more. All sessions, excluding our closing keynote, will be recorded and shared with registered attendees. Registration is now open.
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The Art of Inclusive Hiring and Onboarding, Nov. 11 – Dec. 8, 2024. Delve into the process of seamlessly integrating new hires into your organization. Onboarding is more than just orientation; it’s about creating an experience that sets the stage for long-term employee success and engagement. In this UW iSchool course, we explore the theory and art behind effective onboarding practices, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to transform new hires into valuable contributors from day one. From making a great first impression with inclusive hiring practices to designing and implementing a comprehensive onboarding program, your team will have everything they need to succeed. Foster a sense of belonging, accelerate productivity, and increase retention at your library by mastering your hiring and onboarding skills.
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Engaging and Affirming Neurodivergent Youth In Community Spaces: The Fellowship, November 14, 3 p.m. Islands of Brilliance is a Milwaukee-based non-profit that uses art and creative technologies to empower autistic and neurodivergent individuals and open pathways to employment and independence. The Fellowship is one of the newest programs from IOB, which focuses on transition-age participants in six mid and small-size cities across the state. In this webinar, three staff members will share insights about The Fellowship program design and implementation, as well as key insights about supporting and engaging neurodivergent youth and young adults within community spaces. Learn more and register: https://wla.memberclicks.net/
youth
Consumables:
Diverse Holidays in September:
September is National Suicide Awareness Month Also known as Suicide Prevention Month, the month brings awareness to a topic not often talked about. Learning about suicide prevention during the month of September is a great way to educate yourself and others. If you or someone you know needs emergency assistance, contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Find more help at www.nami.org/Find-Support.
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15. This month corresponds with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16, and recognizes the revolution in 1810 that ended Spanish dictatorship.
September 5: International Day of Charity on September 5th encourages organizations and individuals to help others. The day also emphasizes increasing solidarity and promoting social responsibility. Mother Teresa of Calcutta is one of the most well-known humanitarians in modern history. It’s due to her selfless devotion to serving the poor that September 5th was chosen as the International Day of Charity. It was on this day in 1997 that Mother Teresa passed away at the age of 87. In 2011, the Hungarian Parliament chose to commemorate the anniversary of her death by making it a national holiday for their country. In 2012, the UN General Assembly resolved to make the Hungarian holiday an International one.
September 6-7: Ganesh Chaturthi This occasion is dedicated to the birth of Lord Ganesh, revered as the deity of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune.
September 8: International Literacy Day. The day focuses on the importance and value of literacy. On October 26, 1966, UNESCO pronounced September 8th as International Literacy Day.
September 10: World Suicide Prevention Day aims to promote ways to prevent suicide. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) organizes the observance.
September 11: Ethiopian New Year. Rastafarians celebrate the New Year on this date and believe that Ethiopia is their spiritual home.
September 12-16: Ghambar Paitishem. Celebrates the creation of plants, the sowing of the winter crop, and the return of herds from pasture.
September 15: Onam marks Kerala’s annual harvest festival. It falls during the Malayali month of Chingam (Aug – Sep) and marks the homecoming of legendary King Mahabali. It’s a celebration of Malayali culture and tradition and is celebrated with great enthusiasm.
September 16: Mawlid al-Nabi This day is observed as a public holiday in many countries with a large Muslim population as it commemorates the anniversary of the birth of the founder of Islam and the proclaimer of the Qurʾan.
September 17: Autumn Moon Festival. The Mid-Autumn Festival, Moon Festival, or, less commonly, Mooncake Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday falling on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.
September 18: International Equal Pay Day, celebrated for the first time in September 2020, represents the longstanding efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value. It further builds on the United Nations’ commitment to human rights and against all forms of discrimination, including discrimination against women and girls.
September 21: Every year on the third Thursday in September, the International Day of Listening promotes the importance of listening to one another. It’s also a day to practice the art of listening.
September 21: The International Day of Peace on September 21st urges humanity to set aside its differences and commit to making peace. Also known as Peace Day, the observance is designed to bring the world together. The United Nations established International Peace Day in 1981 with the first observance held on September 21, 1982.
September 21: World Alzheimer’s Day when health organizations across the globe focus their efforts on raising awareness about this disease.
September 22: Mabon, a celebration of the vernal equinox commemorated by Pagans and Wiccans.
September 23: International Day of Sign Languages on September 23rd recognizes the importance of language through signing. Sign language is not a universal language. On December 19, 2017, the United Nations passed the resolution and declared the September 23rd International Day of Sign Languages.
September 23: Celebrate Bisexuality Day unites the bisexual community, their friends, and their supporters. It also raises awareness and provides an opportunity to educate the public about bisexuality. This day is also known as Bisexual Pride Day and Bi Visibility Day. Three U.S. activists who founded this day chose the birthday of Freddy Mercury (Queen’s lead singer) to establish the date.
September 27: Native American Day, a Federal holiday observed annually in September or October in the states of California, Nevada, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Arizona, and Delaware.
September 28: Teacher’s Day in Taiwan. This day is used to honor teachers’ contributions to their students and to society in general. People often express their gratitude to their teachers by paying them a visit or sending them a card. This date was chosen to commemorate the birth of Confucius, the model master educator in ancient China.
September 28: The International Day for Universal Access to Information is observed. This day promotes the idea that every individual around the world has a right to seek and receive information.
Sherry Anderson (she/her)
Director – Northern Waters Library Service (NWLS)
Inclusive Services Consultant for NWLS and Wisconsin Valley Library Service