Always working to break barriers and provide more inclusive spaces, libraries enthusiastically promote DEI–in both online and physical spaces. In this panel, academic librarians from four institutions will share their work on curating LibGuides that celebrate diversity and promote social justice. While taking differing approaches to their projects, the librarians share a common goal to promote DEI resources. Learn more, get inspired, and share your library’s DEI initiatives in the open discussion following the panel. 
 

Join us to learn about Elizabeth Public Library’s initiative to provide lockers to its homeless and housing-insecure patrons, not only as a practical resource but as a stepping stone toward their long-term stability. In this session, we will explore how secure storage fosters a sense of empowerment and autonomy to the most vulnerable members of our community, and creates positive relationships with library staff, allowing us to connect them with the information, resources, and services they need.

Bilingual staff are integral to libraries, but bilingual tasks and translation work are difficult and time consuming endeavors. Many libraries may be taking advantage (often without even realizing it). Join us to learn how to avoid asking too much of your bilingual team members. Plus, explore the avenues available for providing additional pay, as well as crafting job titles and job descriptions, that acknowledge and compensate for the hard work these staff members do every day.

Join us as we sit in meditation, and learn to engage with wisdom and compassion, also known as the two wings of mindfulness, to heal and liberate our hearts and mind from divisive thought patterns, and unwholesome feelings. Practice with mindfulness tools, so we can act, speak, and hold space, with awareness that’s rooted in loving presence. Open to novice and experienced practitioners. Hosted by: Burlington County Library System, IDEA Advisory Committee.

Building inclusive world language collections to reflect your community means meeting unique challenges. Learn how to identify the diverse ethnic, cultural or linguistic groups in your service area, and how to catalog, process, display, and promote world language collections to increase visibility to patrons. Gain advice and tips from those who’ve built collections at small to large libraries, and take home a resource listing vendors and sources for World Language materials.