Access & Equity
Access & Equity are broad areas for libraries and they encompass many issues. This includes, among so much more, making sure your facility is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, serving patrons on the autism spectrum, building a diverse collection, and creating a welcoming environment that represents your entire community no matter ethnicity, heritage, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Self-paced courses and webinar recordings on this topic are freely available in the WebJunction Course Catalog.
Most Recently Added
June 11, Libraries Prepare to Answer Civil Legal Questions in Times of Crisis
Publish Date: News / 11 June 2020
This webinar explores common civil legal issues associated with times of crisis and provides guidance on ways for public libraries to respond to patron questions.
Social Work Students and Public Library Partnerships
Publish Date: Webinar / 29 April 2020
This webinar will provide information on how libraries can collaborate with social work interns and programs, to provide critical services to community members and training and support for library staff.
Cultivating Protective Factors for Safe Libraries and Resilient Communities
Publish Date: Webinar / 5 March 2020
Join this webinar to explore the ways the library functions as a "protective factor" and how to build community resilience through more compassionate and inclusive policies and practices.
Library as a Social Assistance Office
Publish Date: News / 20 February 2020
With a determined stride and a big smile, Ida Abolins walks over to the writing desk at the window of the library in San Francisco and asks a young man bending over a pile of paper, "How are you doing?"
Overlooking the lavish City...
Civil Legal Justice: The Crucial Role of Libraries
Publish Date: Webinar / 11 February 2020
In this webinar, learn about the ways public libraries can address the justice gap, connecting people with information as they navigate the complexities of the legal system.
Hooray for Dissent! Moving Beyond a Culture of Conformity
Publish Date: Webinar / 22 January 2020
In this webinar, explore the potential value of dissent to facilitate positive change against systemic oppression in libraries, and in society at large.
Public Libraries and the 2020 Census
Publish Date: News / 2 January 2020
Federal funding for public libraries will be determined by the 2020 U.S. Census results, with ALA reporting that "more than $1 billion in federal funding for libraries will be allocated to states based on the 2020 Census." In addition to fe...
Multicultural Picture Books: A Deeper Look at Your Collection
Publish Date: News / 5 December 2019
Do you feel it is important to have a diverse children’s collection, but don’t always know where to start? The Diverse BookFinder Collection Analysis Tool (CAT), funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, is specifically des...
Doing the Work Externally and Internally: Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Publish Date: Webinar / 5 December 2019
This webinar highlights the work of Richland Library staff as they work, both externally and internally, to improve dialogue and understanding on topics of race, equity, diversity and inclusion.
Tackling the Racism in Children's Classics
Publish Date: News / 16 October 2019
In Was the Cat in the Hat Black?, author Philip Nel examines the racist illustrations present in a number of Dr. Seuss’s works, and points out racism present in other children’s classics. Many of these books are on our shelves.
Nash...
