Event Title
Session 2A: Collective Power: Professional Advancement of BIPOC Librarians
Event Type
Presentation
Location
Ahmanson Auditorium
Track
Mentoring
Start Date
21-7-2023 1:15 PM
End Date
21-7-2023 2:15 PM
Description
This presentation showcases the work of five library workers of color, who comprise a newly formed, 100% BIPOC, and majority-queer department within a private urban university library. Consisting of two mid-career librarians, two early-career librarians, and one library assistant considering an MLIS programme; we share how our collective power helps us achieve our professional goals, and contributes to a department run with respect and empathy. Simultaneously, our presence as a collective can also be conspicuous, and we reflect on some of the nuances and challenges of our departmental experience. As our department has gained visibility across campus, we have increasingly been called upon to serve on committees, including hiring committees. As such, we are poised to offer our perspectives as both relatively new hires at the university, and employees with substantial recruitment service. We share some of the inclusive practices we have advocated for regarding BIPOC recruitment and retention, and what has been beneficial in our own onboarding and mentorship experiences. Lastly, we reflect on how we have used our influence and institutional privilege to centre equitable and anti-racist practices within our work. We share our perspectives working within a predominantly white profession, and what we would like library leaders at all levels to know.
Outcomes
- Participants will leave with new tools to consider when recruiting, onboarding, and retaining colleagues.
- Participants will be able to reflect on the strengths and challenges unique to their departments, and what support different people may need.
- Participants will see an example of a collaborative department that is positively impacted by the hiring and retention of 100% People of Color.
Session 2A: Collective Power: Professional Advancement of BIPOC Librarians
Ahmanson Auditorium
This presentation showcases the work of five library workers of color, who comprise a newly formed, 100% BIPOC, and majority-queer department within a private urban university library. Consisting of two mid-career librarians, two early-career librarians, and one library assistant considering an MLIS programme; we share how our collective power helps us achieve our professional goals, and contributes to a department run with respect and empathy. Simultaneously, our presence as a collective can also be conspicuous, and we reflect on some of the nuances and challenges of our departmental experience. As our department has gained visibility across campus, we have increasingly been called upon to serve on committees, including hiring committees. As such, we are poised to offer our perspectives as both relatively new hires at the university, and employees with substantial recruitment service. We share some of the inclusive practices we have advocated for regarding BIPOC recruitment and retention, and what has been beneficial in our own onboarding and mentorship experiences. Lastly, we reflect on how we have used our influence and institutional privilege to centre equitable and anti-racist practices within our work. We share our perspectives working within a predominantly white profession, and what we would like library leaders at all levels to know.
Outcomes
- Participants will leave with new tools to consider when recruiting, onboarding, and retaining colleagues.
- Participants will be able to reflect on the strengths and challenges unique to their departments, and what support different people may need.
- Participants will see an example of a collaborative department that is positively impacted by the hiring and retention of 100% People of Color.
