Symposium

Tuesday, October 24th from 9:00am to 5:00pm

Save the date! And apply to present. Registration for this event opens in August.

Rest, Reset, and Re-engage: Centering EDI in the New Normal
A symposium by Brooklyn Public Library and Metropolitan New York Library Council

Hosted by BPL's Brooklyn Heights Branch and Brooklyn Center for History

When it comes to working on issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion – particularly in libraries and archives, where staff members are persistently 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 may just discover that there are many ways to go about achieving our goals of promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work. The planning team at METRO Library Council and Brooklyn Public Library invite you to submit a presentation proposal that outlines the tools, resources, and strategies you use for staying engaged in EDI work for as long as it takes. We are especially interested in hearing how we can lift one another up during times of struggle.

Apply here to showcase your work through hands-on workshops, breakout discussions, slides-based presentations, or any other modality you can think of. We offer session lengths of 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes. Here are a few ideas to get you started. We welcome your creativity:

Strategies for sustaining energy and involvement in EDI work, even across periods of burnout and disengagement

Practical tips on moving yourself and others up the career ladder in libraries, archives, and related organizations

Examples of how you’ve centered marginalized communities and perspectives in library and archival work (e.g. collections, exhibits, programs, providing support to your colleagues in taking on increasing responsibilities, et cetera (the sky is the limit!))

Proposals will be accepted through midnight on Monday, July 10, and we will be in touch with you regarding your presentation status by Tuesday, August 8.

Thank you for applying! Here is that link again.