Fostering Inclusive School and Public Libraries

Offering guidance for library and school staff on making their services, programs, and instruction more diverse and equitable, this book helps librarians put DEI concepts into action.

"We Need Diverse Books" is an important rallying cry, but libraries also need diverse programs, marketing, and staff. This book offers guidance to librarians working with children in school and public libraries.

Public librarians will learn how to engage with the diverse backgrounds in their communities and make their services and in-house and outreach programs more inclusive and equitable. School librarians will learn how to enhance school culture through intentional instruction, collection development, and school-wide partnerships. Attempting to be as inclusive as possible, the book provides information about serving people from different cultures and socioeconomic statuses; with differing abilities and gender identities/expressions; and with varying levels of English fluency.

More targeted information includes a section specifically on STEAM and hands-on programming to address the increasing interest and value in these types of programs. The authors also suggest different ways of engaging with the community, including connecting with parents through the school library. Ultimately, this book gives readers the tools to make their library staff, teaching, services, and programs more culturally inclusive and responsive.