Rest, Reset and Re-Engage

Rest, Reset, and Re-Engage: Centering EDI in the New Normal

Tuesday, October 24th from 9:00am to 5:00pm
$35 for METRO members, $55 for non-members

See slides from the day's presentations here.

A symposium by Brooklyn Public Library and Metropolitan New York Library Council
Hosted by BPL's Brooklyn Heights Library and Center for Brooklyn History
The day's emcee is Sheneatha Frison, School Outreach Librarian, Brooklyn Public Library

When it comes to working on issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion – particularly in libraries and archives, where the industry remains more than 80% white – it can feel as though we are engaged in a sisyphean task. As many of us are well aware, anti-racist practice in these spaces is imperative, and yet we are all prone to fatigue when it feels as though we are not making as much progress as we would like. It is necessary at times like this to take a break, come together with our colleagues, and figure out how we might retool and re-energize so that this important work can continue.

When we come together around these topics, we often discover that there are many ways to go about achieving our goals of promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work. Through presentations, workshops, and a panel discussion, this symposium will aim to provide tools, resources, and strategies you can use for staying engaged in EDI work for as long as it takes.

Schedule

Registration and Light Breakfast
9:00am to 9:30am
Brooklyn Heights Library

Opening Presentation
9:30am to 10:00am
Brooklyn Heights Library

Remarks by Nancy S. Kirkpatrick, Dean of University Libraries, Florida International University

Critical Reflective Practice for the Overburdened Library Worker
10:10am to 11:10am
Brooklyn Heights Library

Emma Karin Eriksson, Senior Young Adult Librarian, Brooklyn Public Library

EDI Work in Action: Public- and Non-Public-Facing Approaches
11:15am to 12:00pm
Brooklyn Heights Library

Hong Yao, Director, Technical Services Department, Queens Public Library
Xi (Cathy) Chen, Assistant Director of Programming and Operations, New Americans Program, Queens Public Library

Getting to Know the Center for Brooklyn History
12:15pm to 12:30pm
Center for Brooklyn History

Lunch Break
12:30pm to 1:30pm
Center for Brooklyn History

Mindful Information Literacy Through Project-Based Learning
1:30pm to 2:15pm
Center for Brooklyn History

Selenay Aytac, Library Faculty, Long Island University

Have Ally, Need Accomplice
2:20pm to 3:20pm
Center for Brooklyn History

Robin Naughton, Interim Deputy Chief, Assistant Professor, Web and Digital Services Librarian, Queens College Library
Simone Yearwood, Interim Dean of Faculty, School of Arts & Humanities, Queens College

Where Do We Go From Here? A Panel Discussion on the Future of Library Leadership
3:25pm to 4:25pm
Center for Brooklyn History

Nicole Bryan, Branch Manager, Brooklyn Public Library
Nancy S. Kirkpatrick, Dean of University Libraries, Florida International University
Diana Moronta, Instruction and Technology Librarian, New York Institute of Technology-Manhattan Library
Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz, Assistant Curator and Associate Dean for Teaching, Learning, and Engagement, New York University Division of Libraries
Moderated by Traci Mark, Program Manager for Equity, Archives & Media Preservation, METRO 

Social Hour
4:30pm
Off-site venue to be determined

The daylong symposium will take place at Brooklyn Public Library's Brooklyn Heights Library and at the Center for Brooklyn History, followed by a social hour nearby. Light breakfast and lunch are included. Both spaces are fully accessible. Masks are not required, but are strongly recommended.

We hope to see you there. Register today!