I was particularly interested in Klinker’s article regarding the utilization of a diverse selection of books to promote inclusivity and acceptance. Klinker discusses how books allow readers to “explore different viewpoints and navigate diverse challenges as they walk in the footsteps of numerous characters.” This resonated with me as a preschool teacher who already brings this to my practice. I wholeheartedly believe that books serve as mirrors (reflecting ourselves back to us), windows (allowing us to learn about others who are different from us), and sliding glass doors (illustrating the connections we have between ourselves and others). As such, the preschool provides books on race, gender identity, different family structures, diverse holiday celebrations etc. for children and teachers to choose from freely. I have also taken classes and workshops on how to teach and discuss a variety of challenging topics with children. I consider openly and frequently discussing these types of topics with children essential to creating an inclusive, open-minded, empathetic community.
Garcia-Febo, Lauersen, and Klinker in their respective articles and lecture, also speak to this idea, indicating that libraries are meant to lift up and empower diverse communities, promoting inclusion through programming, staffing, and collection development. However, considering I have faced backlash from families and sometimes even coworkers when I’ve chosen to read a specific children’s book, I’ve thought a great deal about what happens when inclusion looks different to different people? What if the heart that I bring to my work doesn’t align with the hearts of other staff members or the patrons that we serve? What are practical ways people have tried to address this issue? Symposiums, affinity groups, open forums, workshops, lectures, staff meetings? I am entering into this profession because I believe libraries can change people’s lives and books can change the world, but what if some people don’t want to imagine a new world with me? How do we best serve them and ourselves?
Here is a video read a-loud of one of my favorite children’s book on trans identity. Let me know what you think!
References
Garcia-Febo, L. (2018, Novemeber 1). Serving with love: Embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion in all that we do. American libraries. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2018/11/01/serving-with-love/.
Klinker, J. (2020, July 24). The healing power of books: Using reading to address social and emotional needs. Gale. https://blog.gale.com/the-healing-power-of-books/.
Lauersen, C. (2018, June 7). Do you want to dance? Inclusion and belonging in libraries and beyond. The Library Lab. https://christianlauersen.net/2018/06/07/inclusion-and-belonging-in-libraries-and-beyond/.
Ms. Loredo’s Library. (2020, April 22). Introducing Teddy-read aloud [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzyUJC7V-Xw.
Hi Rachel!
I really enjoyed the read aloud video you posted here. I appreciated the storyteller explaining what was going on in the book and making a complex topic sound simpler to younger kids. Libraries should focus more on empowering populations of all kinds in their community, and the video was good example of it. It’s important for libraries to be as inclusive as possible.