OVERDUE: Weeding Out Oppression in Libraries

OLA EDI & Antiracism Committee

A podcast attempting to shine light on the radical inequities and the oppressive nature of the library profession, specifically as it pertains to BIPOC professionals and the communities they serve in the state of Oregon. An Oregon Library Association EDI & Antiracism production. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon. Este proyecto ha sido posible en parte por el Instituto de Servicios de Museos y Bibliotecas a través de la Ley de Servicios de Biblioteca y Tecnológia (LSTA), administrada por la Biblioteca Estado de Oregón. https://www.olaweb.org/ola-edi-antiracism-committee---HOME 

  1. 12/19/2025

    S4, E9: Illuminating Local History Part 1 with Ofelia Guzman and Thomas Hiura

    Send us a text In this episode, part 1 of 2, our hosts welcome ILLUMINATION collection team members Ofelia Guzman and Thomas Hiura to discuss their experiences with the project, the impact they’ve seen from this work and what they’d like to see in the future. ILLUMINATION is a history and story collection project started by Madeline McGraw and Mindy Linder to actively work to address representation in its collection, recognizing that museum institutions have historically used gatekeeping and erasure in collection practices.  Through ILLUMINATION, the museum’s intention is to lead with transparency and accountability, to build relationships and trust with members of the community who have been left out of the historical narrative. The goal is for the Springfield History Museum to offer a more inclusive representation of all the people who have both shaped and been shaped by Springfield and rural east Lane County. For these people to be empowered as stewards of their own stories, and to entrust the Springfield History Museum with the preservation, documentation, interpretation and display of their stories through exhibits, archives and digital collections. The culminating works from this project will all become part of the Springfield History Museum archive, available to the public. Selected images and narratives will also become part of the permanent heritage exhibit on display at the museum. Hosts: Kristen Curé & Mindy Linder (guest host) Date of recording:  October 27, 2025 Mentioned in this episode: ILLUMINATION virtual exhibit

    1h 21m

  2. 12/01/2025

    S4, E8: We STILL Need Diverse Books w/Caroline Richmond & Dhonielle Clayton (Re-release)

    Send us a text This episode originally aired on December 31, 2024 and is being re-released. In this episode we welcome We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) board members and authors Caroline Richmond (Executive Director) and Dhonielle Clayton (COO) to discuss why it is more important than ever to ensure diverse books are available and accessible to youth. Since its creation in 2014, WNDB has championed diverse publishing and diverse creators, and has pushed back against the lack of diverse representation in youth literature, publishing and collections. Their advocacy efforts include, but are not limited to: mentoring marginalized creators, donating diverse books to schools and libraries across the nation, providing resources to diverse publishing professionals, and supporting educators and creators facing censorship attempts. Learn more about WNDB's programs, resources and successes. Hosts: Gene Iparraguirre and LaRee Dominguez Date of recording:  November 8, 2024 Mentioned in this episode: Indigenous Reads Rising Books Save Lives Campaign Walter Grant The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan Caroline Richmond's Author Website Dhonielle Clayton's Author Website

    56 min

  3. 10/31/2025

    S4, E7: Indigenous Systems of Knowledge with Dr. Sandy Littletree (Re-release)

    Send us a text This episode originally aired on August 31, 2023 and is being re-released to celebrate Native American Heritage Month (November). In this episode we talk with Dr. Sandy Littletree (Navajo/Eastern Shoshone), Assistant Professor at the Information School at the University of Washington, whose work focuses on Native North American Indigenous Knowledge.  Dr. Littletree shares background about Indigenous systems of knowledge, and practical application as it pertains to Indigenous information science, Indigenous librarianship and the intersections of tribal sovereignty, technology, knowledge, and information in Native North America. The discussion also shines a light on the importance of cultivating cultural humility as an ongoing practice, and as a foundation of establishing meaningful, authentic and compassionate connections.  Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Kristen Curé Date of Interview: August 16, 2023

    57 min

  4. 09/30/2025

    S4, E6: Trauma-Informed Care & Cultivating Safety in Libraries w/Nisha Mody

    Send us a text In this episode, we chat with the magical Nisha Mody, a Liberatory Life Coach, facilitator, and former librarian, about how library workers can navigate, survive, and heal from toxic work environments.  Nisha shares insights on trauma-informed care, values alignment, and relational liberation, offering practical tools for self-compassion, boundary-setting, and fostering more supportive and inclusive library cultures. From identifying red flags in job interviews to re-centering personal values, this conversation highlights the importance of healing, community, and showing up authentically in library spaces. Date of interview: September 24, 2025 Host(s): Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Brittany Young Mentioned in this episode: Nisha Mody l Website (www.nishaland.com)Nisha Mody I Notes from Nisha (Newsletter)Nisha Mody I Values WorkbookNisha Mody | Instagram (@healinghypegirl)Upcoming learning: Wednesday, October 1st @ 4:00-5:30 PST: How to Break Up with Codependency (and finally figure out who YOU are) - Free (Recording Available)Trauma-Informed and Relational Care for Libraries (Self-Paced Course)**Oregon Library Association's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Antiracism (EDIA) Committee's Professional Development Scholarship Application form

    1h 36m

  5. 08/29/2025

    S4, E5: Escaping the Vocational Awe Trap w/Fobazi Ettarh (Re-release)

    Send us a text This episode originally aired on July 31, 2024 as Season 3, Episode 5, and is being re-released in light of Fobazi's recent health challenges. Listeners who wish to support Fobazi, can access the Go Fund Me by clicking on the hyperlink.  In this episode we are joined in conversation by scholar, academic consultant, librarian and educational game designer, Fobzi Ettarh, who notably coined the concept of "vocational awe" in 2018. Ettarh shares how vocational awe operates at both the micro and macro levels, contributing to problematic hiring, onboarding, and retention practices in the library profession, and illustrates how this concept directly ties to workplace inequities and burnout. Additionally, Ettarh provides actionable ways to escape the trap of vocational awe by prioritizing mental health and rest, achieving work-life balance, reframing how we are showing up for community, and urging administrators to lead by example. Date of interview: July 17, 2024 Host(s): Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Rodrigo Gaspar-Barajas Additional Info. & Links: Vocational Awe-  “the set of ideas, values, and assumptions librarians have about themselves and the profession that result in beliefs that libraries as institutions are inherently good and sacred, and therefore beyond critique.” (Ettarh, 2018) "Vocational Awe and Librarianship: The Lies We Tell Ourselves"  (January 2018 article from, In the Library With the Lead Pipe)Ettarh's Webpage/BlogFollow Ettarh on Twitter @FobettarhLatanya Jenkins' story ALA Memorial Resolution Honoring Latanya N. Jenkins

    1h 7m

  6. 07/31/2025

    S4, E4: Building Trust & Engaging Authentically with Community w/Maria Aguilar & Angelica Novoa De Cordeiro

    Send us a text In this episode, we are joined by Angelica Novoa de Cordeiro and Maria Aguilar, Adult Services Librarian and Library Director at the Cornelius Public Library. The duo discusses the importance of collective effort, authentic relationship building and establishing a foundation of trust when serving not only Spanish-speakers, but the community at large. Whether it is offering a Zumba class or providing tailored Makerspace programs, Cornelius Public Library has seen great success engaging community members from diverse cultural backgrounds in informing on what they need and want from the library. Angelica and Maria share how the values of the library and the staff are fundamental in creating trusting spaces, collaborative partnerships, inclusive approaches, and responsive services that are welcoming to all people, regardless of their background.  Hosts: Gene Iparraguirre & Kristen Curé  Date of recording:  May 15, 2025 Related links: Drake Learning Center & Makerspace Access to Public Library Services for Spanish-Speakers | OLA Quarterly  Libros for Oregon

    1h 23m

  7. 07/04/2025

    S4, E3: Low-Morale Experience in Libraries, Community Care and Glimmer Gathering w/ Kaetrena Davis Kendrick

    Send us a text In this episode, Kaetrena Davis Kendrick—an award-winning librarian, researcher, and the 2024–2025 Follett Chair at Dominican University—joins the hosts. Kendrick, renowned for her research on the topic of low-morale in libraries, sheds light on the systemic systems and structures that enable these environments and  how BIPOC library workers and administrators grapple with this. Together, the trio explore enabling systems, problematic behaviors, and the emotional toll of library work—while also discussing pathways to healing through collective care, glimmer gathering, and workplace empathy. Kaetrena offers practical takeaways and inspiring book recommendations for those working toward more inclusive and supportive library cultures.  Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Brittany Young Date of recording:  May 29, 2025 Mentioned in this episode: https://renewalslis.com   Book recommendations: Critical Hope by Kari Grain  My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away by Annie Duke Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey

    1h 17m

  8. 04/30/2025

    S4, E2: Supporting BIPOC Library Workers w/ Heidi Estrada & Sophie Kenney

    Send us a text In this episode, the remarkable Heidi Estrada & Sophie Kenney discuss RAILS BIPOC Library Workers Group and RAILS BIPOC Library Workers Mentorship Program—two inclusive programs for library professionals in Illinois that foster support and mitigate racial disparities. More specifically, RAILS BIPOC Library Workers Group aims to foster connection, share resources and discuss specific experiences in a safe, welcome, and open space for all library workers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color. Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Roxanne M. Renteria Date of recording:  December 9, 2024    Mentioned in this episode:

    57 min
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About

A podcast attempting to shine light on the radical inequities and the oppressive nature of the library profession, specifically as it pertains to BIPOC professionals and the communities they serve in the state of Oregon. An Oregon Library Association EDI & Antiracism production. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon. Este proyecto ha sido posible en parte por el Instituto de Servicios de Museos y Bibliotecas a través de la Ley de Servicios de Biblioteca y Tecnológia (LSTA), administrada por la Biblioteca Estado de Oregón. https://www.olaweb.org/ola-edi-antiracism-committee---HOME 

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