Inform, Educate, and Engage: Anti-Racism Resources
Via OLA
“Libraries inform, educate and engage. Libraries serve communities. At the same time, OLA recognizes that North American libraries are rooted in a history of colonialism, anti-Black racism, and white supremacy. In Canada, we are a profession lacking in cultural diversity. It will take work and intention for libraries to change.
Recognizing that OLA members come from a broad spectrum of identities and experience in anti-racism work, OLA will use this space to share resources to support personal (un)learning, professional (un)learning, and institutional change in libraries and workplaces.
- Watch “How to Deconstruct Racism, One Headline at a Time” by Baratunde Thurston at TED
- When evaluating and adjusting your collection development policies, consider these “8 Tips for Choosing Good Picture Books Featuring Diverse, BIPOC Characters” from EmbraceRace and “Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books” from Social Justice Books. Consult lists such as “25 Books About Being Black in Canada” and “14 Books to Read for Indigenous History Month” for adult reads. If your library has automatic release plans (ARPs) with wholesalers, consider creating specific profiles to proactively address gaps in your collection for all age groups.
- Listen to 1619, a compelling and beautifully produced podcast from the New York Times on how slavery has transformed America. The 1619 Project was the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in May 2020. “