Online/Virtual Event
Monday, April 25th from 11:00am to 12:00pm
Providing robust readers’ advisory service that values equity, diversity, and inclusion principles is essential to all library service. Moving from being a neutral, well-meaning library where systemic racism is acknowledged to an actively anti-racist organization involves work.
In this program you will learn tangible skills to help build enthusiasm for reading and discovering diverse books, begin to deepen RA service through thoughtful inclusion of EDI principles in all interactions with leisure readers, and develop the skills necessary to be a steward of an anti-racist mindset for your organization.
Readers’ advisory and collection development experts Becky Spratford and Robin Bradford will make a case for moving away from merely discussing "why" to put EDI concerns at the forefront of your work with readers to "how." Their presentation includes an honest look at actionable steps for all staff. While it may seem uncomfortable at first, Becky and Robin will help you shift your focus, allowing your entire organization to craft an actionable plan to incorporate EDI values into your normal RA practices.
In Part 3, join Robin and Becky for an open discussion as they help you craft an actionable plan to begin this important journey.
To view recordings of the first two sessions of this series:
If you have questions for Robin and Becky, please submit them using this form by 11:59pm ET on Wednesday, April 20, 2022.
About our presenters:
Becky Spratford, MLIS, is a Readers' Advisor in Illinois specializing in serving patrons ages 13 and up. She trains library staff all over the world on how to match books with readers through the local public library. She runs the critically acclaimed RA training blog RA for All. She is under contract to provide content for EBSCO’s NoveList database and writes reviews for Booklist and a horror review column for Library Journal. Becky is a 20-year locally elected Library Trustee (still serving) and a Board member for the Reaching Across Illinois Library System. Known for her work with horror readers, Becky is the author of The Reader’s Advisory Guide to Horror, Third Edition (ALA Editions, 2021). She is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association and currently serves as the Association’s Secretary and organizer of their annual Librarians’ Day. You can follow Becky on Twitter @RAforAll.
Robin Bradford is currently a collection development librarian in Washington State. During her 29 years of library life, she has been recognized for service to readers, genre readers especially, from institutions like Library Journal to RWA’s Cathie Linz Librarian of the Year in 2016. Robin is a book addict and has a long-time dedication to helping others discover a love of reading. She has earned a BA and MA in English, a MS in Library Science, and a JD, but has found a home in building reader-focused, popular collections in public libraries. She has worked with authors to help get their titles into these collections, worked with librarians to push for equal treatment of genre fiction, and worked with readers so that they can find their favorite authors on their library's shelves.
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