OVERDUE: Weeding Out Oppression in Libraries OLA EDI & Antiracism Committee

In this episode, Immer Honorato, Library Outreach Specialist at the Tualatin Public Library, talks with us about connecting his library with his community in Tualatin, Oregon.

 As an immigrant of Mexico who grew up in Tualatin, Immer brings an important bilingual and bicultural perspective to bridging the gap between library services and a library’s community. He reminds us that there are steps that all of us can take to improve accessibility, a sense of belonging, and relevancy  in our libraries.

Winter 2024 OLAQ - "Bibliotequitas para Tualatin  (Bibliotequitas for Tualatin)"  Pg. 29-31
Hosts:  Joan Vigil & Kristen Curé
Date of Interview: April 9, 2024

Multitalented Aaron Whitefield joins the hosts and shares insight gained from leading successful multicultural academic programs during the decade he spent working as an educator, library professional and youth development specialist in Columbus, Ohio.

Aaron’s passion for uplifting youth and creating community is apparent, even while navigating systemic issues like sexism, classism, and racism. Those interested in better understanding the “unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs of living as a Black introvert in an ever-changing America” should checkout his podcast, The Semi-Social Life of a Black Introvert.
Website: MU.FA.LI. - Home (iammufali.com)
Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Roxanne M. Renteria
Date of Interview: February 23, 2024

In this episode, Dr. Raymond (Ray) Pun (academic and research librarian at the Alder Graduate School of Education) shares insights on effective library advocacy through collaboration and community building, advice for aspiring librarians of color, and the value of involvement in the American Library Association and committee work.

We hear about Ray's career transition from public to academic libraries, delve into the intersection of social justice and intellectual freedom (Ray introduces us to ALA's Book Resumes for banned books!), and touch on AI in education.

Don't miss Ray's vision for ALA as a 2025-2026 presidential candidate.

The 2024 ALA Election Period runs from March 11, 2024 through April 3, 2024.
Only current ALA members may participate in the 2024 ALA Election.
Click here to join or renew ALA today!

Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Brittany Young
Date of Interview: February 20, 2024

 

In this episode, we hear from Ayn Reyes Frazee and Mai Takahashi, co-chairs of the newly formed EDI Committee of ALSC (Association of Library Services to Children, a division of ALA). Frazee, who serves as current president of the Oregon Association of School Libraries, is a high school librarian in Portland and was a 2019 ALSC Equity and Diversity Fellow. Takahashi is a youth services librarian at the Seattle Public Library, working closely with Seattle’s Indigenous community and with local nonprofits that serve currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families. She was a 2020 ALSC Equity and Diversity Fellow.
 The duo discusses the formation of the committee from the viewpoint of BIPOC library staffers serving diverse communities, and the career paths and advocacy for youth that led them to these positions. We hear their vision for the on-going scope of work ahead in the effort to bring more voices to the table.


Hosts: Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Constance Palaia
Date of Interview: January 16, 2024

Association of Library Services to Children
ALSC EDI Committee
ALSC Equity Fellowship
JCLC (Joint Council for Librarians of Color)

We are joined in this episode by Nichelle M. Hayes, MPA, MLS, founding director of the Center for Black Literature & Culture, and former CEO (Interim) of the Indianapolis Public Library, and current President of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). 
Hayes shares her background in human resources with us as she discusses ways that HR departments can help library organizations become more inclusive, diverse, and supportive of BIPOC library staff. She brings concrete suggestions for how HR departments and, by extension, library directors can advance EDI from theory to practice. The discussion ranges from how administrators can support BIPOC staff to how mentors and professional groups can likewise be of support.
Visit her blog at  https://thetiesthatbind.blog


Hosts: Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Bryan Miyagishima
Date of Interview: October 26, 2023

In this episode, we have the absolute honor of speaking with Jamia Williams (Consumer Health Program Specialist with the Network of the National Library of Medicine(NNLM) Training Office) and Jamillah Gabriel (Critical Pedagogy Research Librarian in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University and a PhD student in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign). 
Before Overdue: Weeding out Oppression in Libraries started, Jamia and Jamillah started LibVoices, a podcast with the mission to "Hear from librarians of color speak to the fullness of their careers including successes, challenges, and achievements." Listen as we learn about their experiences' with the podcast, as they share what their favorite guest(s) and poignant moments are, and experience how they stay passionate about libraries. This episode is an inspiration and is full of laughter!

Listen to LibVoices
The Diversity Fellows Blog
Call Number: Curated Black Lit Book Box
Hosts: Brittany Young & Ericka Brunson-Rochette
Date of Interview: October 12, 2023