[Libs-Or] Welcoming Oregon Libraries: April 2025

[BRUNSON-ROCHETTE Ericka * SLO]

Happy April, Oregon Library Community!

There has certainly been quite a lot that has happened since my March email. Nonetheless, I have been heartened to see, hear and observe the fierce tenacity and passion in which all of you continue to show up in support of libraries. In these uncertain times, we have been given a chance to reaffirm our commitment to the communities we serve; I am filled with hope daily seeing so many rising to this challenge.

I recognize that recent conversations and events surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion have created difficulties for some to do this crucial work. Please know that no matter what names, acronyms, or abbreviations we give to, or strip from, these efforts, the mission remains at the heart of what we stand for as a profession. Libraries stand as cornerstones for knowledge, inclusion, and opportunity for all.

To help keep us grounded in this commitment, I am sharing another round of resources below (and attached as a pdf)  that I hope will provide support, inspiration and actionable tools for learning and reflection. I would be remiss if I didn't also remind you that the stories forged from your influence are among the most powerful tools you have. Let those stories be the light that guides you - because even if uncertainty clouds the way, the impact that libraries make will continue to shine brightly.

Please text, call, or email with questions, support needs, and/or to schedule time to chat. I am honored to be a partner in your mission to engage, serve and uplift your communities. Thank you for all that you continue to do.


Warm Regards,
[cid:image001.png at 01DBA3FE.6FF1A650]
Ericka Brunson-Rochette (she/her/hers)
Community Engagement Consultant
State Library of Oregon
ericka.brunson-rochette at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:ericka.brunson-rochette at slo.oregon.gov>| 971-375-5126
www.oregon.gov/library/libraries<http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries>
[Logo for the Library Support & Development Services division at the State Library of Oregon]<http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries>
Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday


VIRTUAL MEETUPS

All virtual meetup groups are for individuals employed, volunteering, or looking for work in Oregon libraries. Managers and supervisors are permitted to join. Upholding confidentiality of attendees, conversations and information shared in these meetups is required.

DEI Virtual Meetup for Oregon Libraries (Second Wednesday of every month)
For anyone engaged in diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging work in Oregon libraries.
Wednesday, April 9th, 3:30-4:30p | Meetup Link<https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81502980247?pwd=fpyomcb21US548fuDgTaavCoo6dlIt.1>


2SLGBTQIA+ Virtual Affinity Meetup (Third Tuesday of every month)
For Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and/or not listed as it pertains to sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression.
Tuesday, April 15th, noon-1pm | Meeting details and link<https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/_2SLGBTQIAAffinityMeetup>

BIPOC Virtual Affinity Meetup (Fourth Tuesday of every month)
For Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.
Tuesday, April 22nd, noon-1p | Meeting details and link<https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/BIPOCAffinityMeetup>

Disability & Neurodivergence Affinity Meetup (First Tuesday of every month)
For people who identify as neurodivergent, have a disability, or hold intersecting identities falling into both these groups---to include those with diagnosed, self-diagnosed, or suspected conditions.
Tuesday, May 6th, noon-1p | Meeting details and link<https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/DisabilityNeurodivergenceAffinityMeetup>


[Oregon Libraries United: Navigating Change]

IN-PERSON Affinity Meetup Discussion Groups @ OLA Annual Conference
Eugene, OR | Friday, April 25th, 2025

BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:00-3:00p
2SLGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, 3:15 - 4:15p;
Neurodivergence & Disability Affinity Group, 4:30- 5:30p


LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Free

Find additional free training events on the State Library of Oregon's Continuing Education Calendar<https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/conted/free#s-lib-ctab-24120710-1>

What is Targeted Universalism?<https://obiu.org/course/what-is-targeted-universalism> (Othering & Belonging Institute)
Webinar | Tuesday, April 8th, 10:30a | Register here<https://click.everyaction.com/k/104953349/536952917/571748029?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9FQS9FQTAwNi8xLzg1Nzk5IiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogImQ3OGM3NTMwLTBlMGYtZjAxMS05MGNkLTAwMjI0ODJhOWZiNyIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiZXJpY2thLmJydW5zb24tcm9jaGV0dGVAc2xvLm9yZWdvbi5nb3YiDQp9&hmac=ELaeztIP_Z4GXCLjrb54XLvolPIzb-PjO66yKsDPqXk=&emci=8ad6a4e6-610e-f011-90cd-0022482a9fb7&emdi=d78c7530-0e0f-f011-90cd-0022482a9fb7&ceid=18613407>

Constant Burnout in the Workplace<https://bucknell.zoom.us/meeting/register/ujYwE72WTDK4Uh4L1QiUCA#/registration> (Oberlin DEI & Antiracism Committee)
Virtual Presentation | Wednesday, April 9th, 9a-10a | Register here<https://bucknell.zoom.us/meeting/register/ujYwE72WTDK4Uh4L1QiUCA#/registration>

Supporting Neurodiverse Students in Reference<https://sites.google.com/olaweb.org/oregon-reference-summit/home?authuser=0> (Oregon Reference Summit)
Virtual Presentation | Thursday, April 10th, 11a-noon | Register here<https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rNQ_Bl88RHOTDMthJRIxpQ#/registration>

Precarity and solidarity: queer and disabled fiction writers and generative AI<https://connect.ala.org/acrl/discussion/precarity-and-solidarity-queer-and-disabled-fiction-writers-and-generative-ai-virtual-event-april-15th-at-4pm>
Online Discussion | Tuesday, April 15th, 1:00p| Register here<https://umd.zoom.us/meeting/register/oyavP8ppRQOPs7TEu5VxBg#/registration>


On-Demand

Introduction to Trauma Informed Care<https://traumainformedoregon.org/resources/training/tic-intro-training-modules/> (Trauma Informed Oregon<https://traumainformedoregon.org/>)
Self-Directed Training Modules | 1hr 15min | Updated 2024

  *   Module 1: What is Trauma Informed Care? (30 min)
  *   Module 2: Why is Trauma Informed Care Important? (15 min)
  *   Module 3: Trauma Specific, Trauma Sensitive, Trauma Informed (15 min)
  *   Module 4: A Brief Overview of NEAR Science (15 min)

Embracing Neurodiversity: Cultivating an inclusive workplace for neurodivergent staff <https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/embracing-neurodiversity.html>  (WebJunction)
On-Demand Webinar | 1hr | March 2025

PCI Meeting Challenging Emotions Mindfully<https://my.nicheacademy.com/oregonstaff/course/76667> (Niche Academy)
On-Demand Tutorial | 1hr 5min | August 2024

Advocating Digital Citizenship in Libraries<https://my.nicheacademy.com/oregonstaff/course/65042?categoryId=28356> (Niche Academy)
On-Demand Tutorial | 58min | October 2023

Need access to Oregon's Library Staff Academy? Just fill out this form<https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/RequestAccessToContinuingEducationResources> (available to Oregon library staff, volunteers, and board members). Then you can get started here: https://my.nicheacademy.com/oregonstaff<http://my.nicheacademy.com/oregonstaff>


Fee-based $ *(see information below about scholarship opportunities)

Basic Spanish for Library Staff<https://infopeople.org/civicrm/event/info?id=1136> (InfoPeople)
4-week course | Tues. April 15th & 29th @10-11a | Cost: $200
Optional intro session: April 8th @ 11a| Optional practice session: April 23rd @ 10a

Mental Health Resources for Rural Communities (ARSL)<https://www.arsl.org/arsl-train>
Online Training | Thurs. April 17th at 11a | ARSL Member: Free; Non-member: $30

Rupture and Repair: From Breaking Points to Breakthrough Moments<https://learn.reclamationventures.co/workshops>
Virtual Workshop | Monday, April 28th at 12p | Cost: $129

Trauma-Informed and Relational Care for Libraries<https://my.marvelouspages.com/nisha-mody/trauma-informed-and-relational-care-for-libraries>
Self-Paced Course | Next Orientation June 2025 | Cost: $1250
Free informational session on Tues. April 29th at 9a | Register here<https://nishamody.myflodesk.com/tirclapril25/checkout>


In-Person Learning *(see information below about scholarship opportunities)

Beyond 250: Trainings for Libraries<https://oregonhumanities.org/events/reflective-conversation-training-in-person-3/> (Oregon Humanities)
Strengthen skills in leading conversations across differences, beliefs & background
In-Person Training @ Pendelton Public Library | April 17 & 18, 9a-4p | Register here<https://www.tfaforms.com/5160304>

Oregon Library Association (OLA) Conference<https://oregonlibconference.org/2025/home/registration/>
Eugene, OR | April 23-25, 2025 | Various Pricing | Registration<https://oregonlibconference.org/2025/home/registration/> ends Friday, April 11th
Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA) Annual Chapter Conference<https://cala-web.org/event-6024212>
½ Day Virtual Meeting | May 9, 2025 | Details pending

People of Color in Library & Information Science (POCinLIS) Summit <https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/pocinlis/>
Online Summit | Friday, July 25, 2025 | Registration to open May 2025

REFORMA National Conference VIII<https://www.reformaconference.org/>
September 18-21, 2025 | Long Beach, CA | Various Pricing

Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) 2025 Conference <https://www.arsl.org/2025-conference>
September 17-20, 2025 | Albuquerque | Various Pricing

AASL (American Association of School Librarians) National Conference<https://aasl.secure-platform.com/2025>
October 16-18, 2025 | St. Louis, MO | Various Pricing

* OLA EDI & Antiracism Committee's Professional Development Scholarships
Scholarships to support EDI & Antiracism professional development for library staff, volunteers, and library-job seekers in Oregon.
For more information and link to application, visit here<https://ola.memberclicks.net/ola-edi-antiracism-scholarships>


INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION

[Storytelling with solid fill]

Read:
Article- Maroon Leadership: A Blueprint for Workplace Resistance and Collective Strength<https://www.forbes.com/sites/janicegassam/2025/02/24/maroon-leadership-a-blueprint-for-workplace-resistance-and-collective-strength/> (Janice Gassam Asare;  Forbes, Feb 2025)

[Television with solid fill]
Watch:
DEI After 5 with Sacha: The Art of Civil Discourse: Finding Common Ground in a Divided World<https://youtu.be/7BHIhJE0M8o?si=CSYrLFkV-hEBROAH>  (47min; DEI After 5 with Sacha- YouTube)
DEI After 5 host Sacha Thompson welcomes Yvonne Alston, CEO of Indelible Impressions Consulting, for a thought-provoking discussion on the concept of grace in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion. and embracing one's true self in the DEI landscape.

[Headphones with solid fill]

Listen:
Podcast- The Detour, S4, E5: Poetry & Politics w/Anis Mojgani<https://oregonhumanities.org/rll/podcast/episode/poetry-and-politics-with-anis-mojgani/> (59m; Oregon Humanities)
Anis Mojgani, who served as Oregon's Poet Laureate from 2020 to 2024, talks about the complex relationship between poetry and politics.

[Head with gears with solid fill]
Reflect:

  *   We Need Diverse Books<https://www.diversebooks.org/> has announced an official inaugural reading day<https://click.e.bookriot.com/?qs=902b9992fd88f764ba4ebd355932773fb88221c5876c4eca4c6f56d5f3aca00558c92b40745a6ee80c66b420700b567737047e3bccd98e649011344a425b7749>. Celebrate We Need Diverse Books Day<https://www.diversebooks.org/celebrate-we-need-diverse-books-day/#:~:text=Join%20us%20to%20celebrate%20the,reflect%20our%20beautifully%20diverse%20world.> on April 3rd (and every day!)
  *   April is World Autism Month<https://www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-month>. Now in its 18th year, this month-long global movement is kicked off with the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day<https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day> on April 2nd.
  *   National Deaf History Month<https://www.oregon.gov/dcbs/dei/blog/2022/pages/april-is-deaf-history-month.aspx> is celebrated each April to commemorate the history and achievements of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. This year also marks the 30th Annual International Noise Awareness Day<https://noiseawareness.org/>, observed on April 30th.
  *   April is National Arab American Heritage Month<https://arabamericafoundation.org/national-arab-american-heritage-month/>. Take time to learn something new about the heritage, culture and contributions of Arab Americans, and continuing learning throughout the year!
  *   Passover<https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/default_cdo/jewish/Passover-Pesach-2025.htm> will be celebrated April 12th through April 20th this year. Learn more<https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/871715/jewish/What-Is-Passover-Pesach.htm#What> about this eight-day Jewish holiday celebrated every spring.

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