[Libs-Or] Welcoming Oregon Libraries: February 2025 Update

Wed Feb 5 16:49:07 PST 2025

A pdf. copy of this email can be found attached.

Greetings Oregon library community,
Quite a bit has happened since my first email update went out last month, and I recognize that the potential for additional changes, challenges, and adversities may still lie ahead. What hasn't changed, however, is the State Library's commitment to serving, celebrating, and championing space for people of all backgrounds, needs, and abilities in Oregon libraries.

Through conversations, engagement and thoughtful consideration for the future happening across the state, the efforts to find ways to support and uplift our communities seem stronger than ever.  I have been delighted to see some amazing programs and services happening over the last few weeks that continue to reflect these efforts, as well.

Here are just a few examples of the ways Oregon Libraries continue to show up for our communities:

  *   Community members "packed the room" at Wilsonville Public Library for Wilsonville's first Lunar New Year celebration<https://www.wilsonvillespokesman.com/lifestyle/photos-celebrating-lunar-new-year-in-wilsonville/article_d9c13738-d1eb-11ef-bfdd-bb8a17ae4b1f.html> in early January.
  *   Blue Mountain Community College Library is hosting a traveling exhibit through March 21st entitled "The Nez Perce in Oregon: Removal and Return<https://elkhornmediagroup.com/bmcc-exhibit-explores-history-of-the-nez-perce/>". This exhibit, created by staff at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, "tells the story of the Nez Perce people, highlighting their forced removal from their homelands in 1877 and their gradual return over generations."
  *   Sweet Home Public Library has started providing dyslexia reading strips<https://www.facebook.com/SweetHomePublicLibrary/posts/pfbid0bRxzmVQe5N58LTLDbA6mao46k5M5STo7sNAuiFEybVSx8phzxBnZaSTee2EjAy6Zl> to help readers "stay focused while reading verbatim, reducing visual stress and making reading easier and more comfortable than ever before."

Here are other ways to stay involved and advance your knowledge over the next month and beyond:

VIRTUAL MEETUPS

DEI Virtual Meetup for Oregon Libraries
For anyone engaged in diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging work in Oregon libraries
Wednesday, February 12th , 3:30-4:30p
Meetup Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81502980247?pwd=fpyomcb21US548fuDgTaavCoo6dlIt.1

2SLGBTQIA+ Virtual Affinity Meetup
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, people employed, volunteering, or looking for work in Oregon libraries.
Tuesday, February 18th, noon-1pm
Meeting details and link can be found here<https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/_2SLGBTQIAAffinityMeetup>

BIPOC Virtual Affinity Meetup
For Black, Indigenous, and other people of color employed, volunteering, or looking for work in Oregon libraries
Tuesday, February 25th, noon-1p
Meeting details and link can be found here<https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/BIPOCAffinityMeetup>

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Free

  *   Advancing Equity in a Changing Political Landscape<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfC5jCO92JgLJQEwZI7UgMVRdDcNw5W-v-UGPO6pHJVRCcvug/viewform> (hosted by Dr. Tracey A. Benson)
Live Webinar | Thursday, February 6th at 11a (25 minutes)

  *   Free Websites for African American Genealogy Research<https://www.slcl.org/events/virtual-program-free-websites-african-american-genealogy-research> (St. Louis County Library)
Virtual Program | Thursday, February 13th at 12p

  *   Inclusive Shelves: Titles to Help Curate Your Collection<https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/9017374857453/WN_0IYuM8t3ST-mEOts1S9Smw#/registration> (Booklist)
Virtual Webinar| Tuesday, February 11th at 11a

  *   Sustaining K-12 DEI Initiatives in a Changing Landscape: Tips, Tools, and Strategies<https://home.edweb.net/webinar/dei20250212/> (edWeb.net, sponsored by Random House Education)
Live Presentation | Wednesday, February 12th, 12-1p

  *   Strategies for Success for Neurodiverse Librarians <https://www.librarieslearn.org/calendar/strategies-for-success-for-neurodiverse-librarians> (Colorado State Library)
Virtual Webinar | Tuesday, February 18th, 10a

  *   EveryLibrary Institute<https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/> has a series of free On-Demand Webinars<https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/webinars_on_demand>

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>

*Fee-based $

  *   Celebrating Autistic Joy in Your Library <https://elearning.ala.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=1402&_zs=h8Mwg1&_zl=BkX3A>  (ALAeLearning/ALSC)<https://elearning.ala.org/catalog/>
Live Webinar | February 26th , 11-12:30

  *   Libraries Supporting Students with Dyslexia<https://elearning.ala.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=1408&_zs=h8Mwg1&_zl=7kX3A> (ALAeLearning/ALSC)<https://elearning.ala.org/catalog/>
Live Webinar | March 4th , 11-12:30p
ALA Member: $71.10; Non-member: $79; ALSC Division Member: $39.50

  *   Championing Trans Inclusion for Library Leaders<https://www.ala.org/pla/education/onlinelearning/webinars/championing> (Public Library Association)
Webinar | March 18th at 11a
ALA Member: $71.10; Non-member: $79; PLA Member: $47.40

*For BIPOC:

  *   Black Mental Wellness Day<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-mental-wellness-day-tickets-1138381643139?aff=oddtdtcreator> (Black Mental Wellness, (r) Corp.)
Virtual workshop | Saturday, February 22, 9-12p PST
General Admission: $25 + fees

*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- What Comes After DEI?<https://hbr.org/2025/01/what-comes-after-dei>: How a new framework built around fairness, access, inclusion, and representation can succeed where DEI has failed, by Lily Zheng; Harvard Business Review, January 2025

Statement- Call to Action for Democracy and Human Rights for All<https://www.reforma.org/challenging-times>, issued by:
National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking (REFORMA); ALA Office of Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services (ODLOS); ALA Rainbow Round Table (RRT); American Indian Library Association (AILA); Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA) and the Black Caucus American Library Association (BCALA)

[Television with solid fill]

Watch:
"What is Brightness in Black?<https://youtu.be/x5tekhlTeyk>- StoryCorps, < 2min
Learn more about StoryCorps Brightness in Black<https://storycorps.org/discover/brightness-in-black/> initiative and watch/listen to some of the linked videos showcasing the "richness and complexity of Black life in America".

[Headphones with solid fill]

Listen:
LibVoices Podcast<https://diversityfellow.wordpress.com/libvoices/> - Hear from librarians of color speak to the fullness of their careers including successes, challenges, and achievements (also on Spotify<https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/libvoices> and Apple Podcasts<https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/libvoices/id1502263387> )

[Head with gears with solid fill]
Reflect:

  *   February is Black History Month<https://asalh.org/black-history-month-2025-we-proclaim-it/>, and this year's theme is 'African Americans and Labor'. Learn more about the founder of this annual celebration Carter G. Woodson<https://naacp.org/find-resources/history-explained/civil-rights-leaders/carter-g-woodson#:~:text=Carter%20G.%20Woodson%20was%20a,marked%20every%20February%20since%201976.>, and the timeline of events<https://asalh.org/carter-g-woodson-timeline/> that led to the creation of ASALH (the Association for the Study of African American Life and History). ASALH will be hosting virtual events<https://asalh.org/festival/> throughout the month.
  *   Subscribe to Anti-racist Daily's 28 Days of Black History<https://www.28daysofblackhistory.com/?utm_source=antiracismdaily.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=weekend-edition-how-schools-are-responding-to-immigration-policy-changes-abortion-funds-drying-up-and-how-to-escape-poverty-in-america&_bhlid=16a03e25614e8b0e13718a526ece223f40bb119b> February newsletter series
  *   February 11, 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science<https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/2025-international-day-women-and-girls-science#:~:text=In%202015%2C%20the%20United%20Nations,anniversary%20together%20at%20UNESCO%20Headquarters.>
  *   February 20th is World Day of Social Justice<https://www.un.org/en/observances/social-justice-day>. While many of the organized efforts are more difficult to find this year, here<https://refugees.org/world-day-of-social-justice/> is an example of how this day was observed in 2024.

Please text, call, or email with questions, support needs, and/or to schedule time to chat. I look forward to connecting and being a resource for Oregon libraries and the communities you serve!

Warm Regards,
Ericka Brunson-Rochette (she/her/hers)
Library 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

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