In my presentation, “Why Diversity Matters in Library Collections, Diversifying & What to do with Books with Misrepresentation,” I will discuss the inequities in the English publishing industry and what that translates into the books that we see on international school library shelves and classroom text resources. I will also share why representation and diversity matter in library and classroom resources, how librarians and schools can evaluate the issue and de-center whiteness, and what librarians and schools can do with books with misrepresentation. I strongly believe that librarians and school administrators can work together to be agents of social change and that libraries can be the center to drive this change. I will speak to first-hand examples of what I have been doing to de-center whiteness and diversify HKA’s library collection for greater representation and to foster a wider sense of belonging for students at Hong Kong Academy.
March 2024 - 21CLHK
Job Role Applicability:
- School Leader
- Curriculum Director / Coordinator
- Head of School/Director
- Director of Professional Development
- Board Member
- Teacher Librarian
- Literacy
- Library
- Professional Learning
Presentation
- Lower Elementary [Age 4 - 6]
- Upper Elementary [Age 8 - 10]
- Middle School [Age 11 - 13]
- High School [Age 14 - 17]
- Higher Education [Age 18+]