OVERDUE: Weeding Out Oppression in Libraries

In this episode, we talk with Sherry Antoine (Executive Director of AfroCROWD), Laurie Bridges (Instruction and Outreach librarian at Oregon State University), and Diana Park (Science Librarian at Oregon State University) about their work to RIGHT history by writing Black history into Wikipedia. Learn about what is happening in libraries and partner organizations to further representation of Black folx (and all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). Wikipedia is one of the first results that comes up when we search the web, while still often disregarded for its ability to allow anyone to add information to the large system of knowledge. That ability, for ALL to contribute to this repository of information and history, provides a new way to fight for social justice and Black futures.Date of interview:  February 13, 2023Hosts: Melissa Anderson and Brittany Young Links mentioned in this episode:  AfroCROWD AfroCROWD Events Oregon Black PioneersWriting African American History Into Wikipedia Link to the  EDI & ANTIRACISM TOOLKIT

In part 2 of this two-part episode, we talk to the creative team behind the Librarians with Spines  book series calling for radical librarianship, Yago Cura, Max Macias and Autumn Anglin. This trio of "information agitators" share the origins of this series, the need for necessary boundary-pushing in the library profession, and the importance of having a strong support system when doing antiracism work.Hear about the efforts that went into the design and creation of Vol. 3, released in fall of 2022, and get a sneak peek of what's next for this series of essays pushing for a new era of librarianship.Listen to Part 1 here.Order Librarians with Spines  v.1, 2 & 3 here:  https://www.hinchaspress.com/librarians-with-spinesVisit the  Librarians with Spines BlogLink to the  EDI & ANTIRACISM TOOLKITHosts: Constance Palaia & Ericka Brunson-RochetteDate Recorded: December 23, 2022

In Part 1 of this two-part episode, we talk to the creative team behind the Librarians with Spines  book series calling for radical librarianship, Yago Cura, Max Macias and Autumn Anglin. This trio of "information agitators" share the origins of this series, the need for necessary boundary-pushing in the library profession, and the importance of having a strong support system when doing antiracism work. Hear about the efforts that went into the design and creation of Vol. 3, released in fall of 2022, and get a sneak peek of what's next for this series of essays pushing for a new era of librarianship. Order Librarians with Spines  v.1, 2 & 3 here:  https://www.hinchaspress.com/librarians-with-spinesVisit the  Librarians with Spines BlogLink to the  EDI & ANTIRACISM TOOLKITHosts: Constance Palaia & Ericka Brunson-RochetteDate Recorded: December 23, 2022

*There were technical issues during the recording of this episode. We apologize for any minor disruptions*In this episode, we talk with leadership from REFORMA Oregon about centering equity work as the foundation of library work, how to begin shifting Oregon library culture to better serve diverse communities as well as how a culture shift can support library workers of color. We also talk about how REFORMA Oregon supports EDI Antiracism work in the state and how this organization serves as a structure of support for library workers who identify as Latinx, speak Spanish or serve Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities. Brandace Rojo is the Current President of REFORMA Oregon and the Communications and Partnerships Manager at Josephine Community Library District. Eduardo Arizaga is the Past President of REFORMA Oregon and the Community Engagement Manager at Multnomah County Library. REFORMA Oregon is a division of the Oregon Library Association as well as the Oregon chapter of REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, an affiliate of the American Library Association. REFORMA Oregon is a professional organization for librarians and library staff who serve the Spanish-speaking and Latino communities. Date of interview: November 18, 2022Hosts: LaRee Dominguez and Kristen CuréResources talked about in this episode:REFORMA Oregon: https://reformaoregon.weebly.com/REFORMA National: https://www.reforma.org/ Harvard implicit bias test: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html Dr. Michele Villagran’s 2018 article: Minimizing and addressing implicit bias in the workplace https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/article/view/17370/19151  Intersection Allies: We Make Room for All by Carolyn Choi and Chelsea Johnson (book)1989 Article by Peggy McIntosh: White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack: https://psychology.umbc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2016/10/White-Privilege_McIntosh-1989.pdf OLA EDI Anti Racism Toolkit: https://www.oregon.gov/Library/libraries/Documents/OLA%20EDI%20Toolkit/OLA_TOOLKIT_Hard_Copy%202021_02_11.pdf 

In this episode, we talk with Loida Garcia-Febo – a Puerto Rican American librarian, International Library Consultant expert in library services to diverse populations and human rights and the 2018-2019 President of the American Library Association – about the importance of getting out of the library and into communities, mentoring staff, in particular nurturing Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), and equipping all with empathy to better serve library communities. Trust is an important factor in doing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism work in libraries, as Garcia-Febo explains. Library staff need to work alongside community partners outside of the library to build that trust.Hosts: Roxanne Renteria and Brittany YoungDate Recorded: September 20, 2022

In this special episode, we talk with the School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year, K.C. Boyd, and the two  School Librarian of the Year finalists, Pia Alliende and Andy Spinks. Amid book challenges, political and cultural attempts to staunch access to books that reflect the history and lives of our youth, and funding cuts to school libraries, these courageous library heroes talk about their grit and determination to provide mirrors, inspiration, and access to information for all youth.Andy, K.C., and Pia discuss preparing for challenges, antiracist and inclusive collection development, and how to keep our eyes on the prize of nurturing healthy, critical, and curious youth.School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year 2023 Nominations are due December 5, 2022. Hosts: Constance Palaia & Ericka Brunson-RochetteDate Recorded: October 23, 2022

In this episode, we talk with Roland Barksdale-Hall, Branch Manager at the Stey-Nevant Branch Library in Farrell, PA and an author, activist, historian, and griot. Our conversation touches on forging deep community connections, confronting biases, being true to oneself, active listening and making people feel seen, and the huge impact we can have on others. Roland shares his own inspiring story and the active work it took to truly become “the friendly place” in his community. The episode is full of concrete advice for library workers at every point in their career. Resources discussed: Roland’s blog post in Librarians with Spines Books authored by Roland  Date of interview: August 19, 2022Hosts: LaRee Dominguez and Meredith Farkas 

In this episode, we talk with librarians Nicole Rawlinson, Priya Charry & Leah Larson about the intricacies of navigating conversations around equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The trio emphasizes the importance of holding space for these conversations, the challenges of doing so as marginalized individuals, and why libraries should be working on the retention, not just hiring, of BIPOC employees. This discussion was inspired by a presentation led by these three at the 2022 Public Library Association conference entitled, “Facilitating EDI Conversations in Professional Settings and Public Programming.” Date of interview: July 25, 2022Hosts: Brittany Young and Ericka Brunson-Rochette

In this Dear Abby-style episode, Christina Fuller-Gregory — facilitator of the Libraries of Eastern Oregon EDI Cohort, and principal consultant with Fuller Potential Consulting— offers advice for library workers faced with inequity, microaggressions, and racism in the workplace. The following experiences are true, and they were curated from library workers across Oregon and the U.S.  Date of interview: June 15, 2022 Hosts: Brittany Young & Roxanne M. Renteria   Questions and inquiries for Fuller Potential Consulting can be emailed to: christinafuller-gregory@yourfullest.com  OLA EDI & Antiracism Toolkit: https://bit.ly/3qSMDF7

*There were technical issues during the recording of this episode. We apologize for any minor disruptions*In this episode, we talk with Tracie D. Hall, Executive Director of the American Library Association, about how diversifying library staff is essential to the future of the library profession and how individuals can advocate for themselves and find opportunities to work with mentors or to mentor others. Hall discusses how her own background and experiences have shaped her view of library work, as well as the critical role that history, the arts, and libraries play in our communities.  Date of interview: May 19, 2022Hosts: Ericka Brunson-Rochette and Melissa AndersonOLA EDI & Antiracism Toolkit: https://bit.ly/3qSMDF7

In this episode, we talk with Star Khan, Outreach Services Librarian at Driftwood Public Library, about outreach as a core library service, how she sees herself and her work as part of a larger community, and the role that outreach plays in equity work. Since the recording of this interview, Star was elected as the incoming 2022-2023 OLA President, to begin in August. Date of Interview: May 18, 2022Hosts: Max Macias and Kristen CuréOLA EDI & Antiracism Toolkit: https://bit.ly/3qSMDF7

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Debbie Reese – Nambé Pueblo writer, scholar, and author of the American Indians in Children’s Literature blog – about her work, the importance of accurate representation in literature for children, and what library workers can do to support Native children with collection development, displays, cataloging, and more.Date of interview: April 1, 2022Hosts: Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Kristen Curé American Indians in Children’s Literature: https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/ 

In this month's episode, we have a discussion with Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney, Library Director at the Driftwood Public Library in Lincoln City, OR,  and Adrienne Doman Calkins,  Library Manager at the Sherwood Public Library, about implementing EDI and Antiracism tool-kit training for their library staff as an attempt to combat racism and oppression.Date of interview: March 16, 2022Hosts: Brittany Young & Yelitza (Yeli) BootsOLA EDI & Antiracism Toolkit: https://bit.ly/3qSMDF7

Welcome to Overdue: Weeding Out Oppression in Libraries–A podcast produced by the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Antiracism Committee of the Oregon Library Association (OLA).This first episode features a discussion with Marci Ramiro-Jenkins, creator of the OLA EDI & Antiracism Toolkit, and a leading advocate and champion for EDI, antiracism and anti-oppression work in Oregon libraries and communities. Date of interview: February 2, 2022 Hosts: Max Macias & Pia AlliendeOLA EDI & Antiracism Toolkit: https://bit.ly/3qSMDF7