In this episode our guest is Lecia Michelle. Lecia is a long-time librarian, activist, and author. Her forthcoming book “THE WHITE ALLIES HANDBOOK: 4 Weeks to Join the Racial Justice Fight for Black Women” (published by Kensington Books) will be on sale July 26, 2022). The book is a practical, actionable, explicit guide for people looking to not just "start a conversation" but to take concrete steps toward equality.

FYI 54 - Lecia Michelle The White Allies Handbook

"Let’s Talk Race" emerged from the Richland (SC) Public Library as a response to the tragic events of 2015, including the murders of Walter Scott and the Charleston Emmanuel AME Church shooting. In the aftermath of these incidents, many South Carolinians were left grappling with a mix of emotions—anger, confusion, and fear. As the community sought ways to process and heal, the library took a proactive approach. The library's response was to initiate small dialogue circles, providing a safe haven for conversations about race. These circles aimed to foster understanding and empathy in the face of challenging circumstances. Over time, this grassroots effort grew into a movement.

Since then, the Richland Library has organized over 250 events and community discussions, engaging more than 4,000 participants. The impact of these conversations extended beyond the library's walls, prompting the library team to create a free curriculum, designed to be utilized by libraries and groups across the country.

In this episode, we talk with Tamara King, Chief Equity and Engagement Officer, and Heather McCue, Children's and Teens Services Manager at RPL. Join us as we delve into the roots and evolution of "Let’s Talk Race," exploring how it has transformed into a platform for change—nurturing empathy and unity through candid conversations about race.

FYI 71 - Let's Talk Race Richland (SC) Public Library

Dan Wilson, Associate Director for Collections & Library Services at the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia Health System, and Siobhan Champ-Blackwell, Librarian at the National Library of Medicine, presented “Disasters Bring Out the Best in Us: Providing Community Support When it is Needed Most” at PLA 2016. Here, they discuss, with PLA's Brendan Dowling, how librarians and libraries are vital resources for the community during disasters, as they are in the best position to verify and disseminate correct information to the community. They provide tips on building partnerships with local agencies so that your library has a plan in place when disaster strikes. Listen here and also find more information at disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov.

FYI-008 - Disasters Bring Out the Best In Us - Providing Community Support

Nichole Shabazz, Youth Outreach and Programming Coordinator at the  Cleveland Public Library and Phyllis Hunter, Reading and Literacy Expert, Phyllis C. Hunter Consulting, Inc., presented "Where the Black and Brown Boys Aren’t (and Why) at PLA 2016." Here they talk with PLA's Brendan Dowling about closing the achievement gap, increasing representation, and finding entry points to engage this demographic. Follow Nichole at @BEattheLIBRARY and Phyllis Hunter at .@phyllischunter


FYI-009 -- Where the Black and Brown Boys Aren't (and Why) Nichole Shabazz and Phyllis C. Hunter

In Episode 10, we talk to Sarah Lawton, Neighborhood Library Supervisor, Madison (WI) Public Library and Tariq Saqqaf, Neighborhood Resource Coordinator, City of Madison, Office of the Mayor, about how libraries can address racial disparities and create more inclusive public spaces. 

The Madison (Wis.) Public Library is working with local government to establish racial equity and social justice as core principles in all decisions, policies, and services.  We discuss this model which focuses on dismantling structural barriers to equity through both an “equity impact tool” and participation on Neighborhood Resource Teams (action groups that support communities in identifying and addressing community needs).  Recorded live at PLA2016 Conference in Denver.


FYI-010 - Engaged and Inclusive: Institutional Approaches to Racial Equity and Social Justice

In this episode, Kathleen Hughes, PL Editor, talks to Ady Huertas, Branch Manager of the Logan Branch/San Diego Public Library about the library's program, "Out of the Shadows." The program  is  designed to raise public awareness about the problem of sex trafficking in San Diego, bring to light the plight of sex trafficking victims and at-risk youth, and provide resources and support services for those in need in the San Diego area.


FYI -011- San Diego Public Library -- Out Of The Shadows Program

Kathleen Hughes, PLA Publications Manager talks to Sonja Skvarla, the founder of A Social Ignition. Founded in 2012, A Social Ignition was conceived while Sonja was helping various groups fulfill their missions in the field of post-prison reentry. She developed a curriculum of entrepreneurship and professional development and offered it to the Oregon Department of Corrections. Today, A Social Ignition is off and running using its entrepreneurship and professional development program to help people re-enter society after incarceration. The program teaches business lessons but participants also develop self-confidence  and learn to use the experience they already have. We talked to Sonja about A Social Ignition, success and stumbling blocks, how libraries might incorporate similar programming, future expansion plans, and more. 

FYI 012 -PLA Podcast - A Social Ignition

Kathleen Hughes, PLA Manager Publications, talks to Holly Hibner and Mary Kelly about weeding library collections, awful library books they've discovered, and more. Holly and Mary have recently released a book in PLA’s Quick Reads series, entitled “Weeding Manual.” In addition, they are cofounders of the popular blog Awful Library Book (awfullibrarybooks.com) and co-authors of the book “Making Your Collection Count: A Holistic Approach to Library Collection Management.”  Holly Hibner is adult services coordinator at Plymouth District Library in Plymouth, Michigan and Mary Kelly is youth services librarian at the Lyons Township Library in Michigan.


FYI 013 - Weeding Library Collections

PLA Deputy Executive Director Larra Clark talks with John B. Horrigan of the Pew Research Center about his report, "Digital Readiness Gaps," which finds that just over half of American adults have low levels of readiness to use digital tools as they pursue lifelong learning.

FYI 014 - Pew Research Center - Digital Divide/Digital Readiness

We talk with Jeffrey Fisher, author of the latest book in PLA's 'Quick Reads' Series "Building and Operating a Digital Media Lab." Topics include creating the right space; arranging funding; hiring and training staff; buying the correct equipment; writing policies and procedures, and more.

FYI 015 - Building a Digital Media Lab with Jeffrey Fisher

PLA's Kathleen Hughes talks with Erin Hoopes. Erin is head of the Free Library of Philadelphia's Philadelphia City Institute Branch. We talk with her about an initiative she spearheaded at the Free Library, a Teen Social Justice Symposium.

FYI 016 Teen Social Justice Symposium - Erin Hoppes

Publiclibrariesonline.org is the companion website to the bi-monthly print publication  “Public Libraries,” the official magazine of the Public Library Association.

FYI 71 - Let's Talk Race Richland (SC) Public Library

publiclibrariesonline

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