‘Diversity advocacy proposal’ for district libraries

For “Cultural Competence for Librarians,” the class I am taking this month through Library Juice Academy, I was tasked this week with authoring a “diversity advocacy proposal” that would help my organization become more culturally competent. My proposal is that my school district purchase award-winning books each year for each of its school libraries.

Book-Talk : Supernatural Investigations (series)

Video review: Supernatural Investigations is an exciting middle-grade fantasy series by author B.B. Alston, a great addition to the “magic school” genre. In addition to offering a magical adventure, the books also touch upon important themes, including race and class prejudice. The first book, Amari and the Night Brothers, is currently available in paperback and the second book, Amari and the Great Game, will be released on Aug. 30. A third book is expected in 2023.

‘Small Town Pride’ by Phil Stamper

Update, Aug. 16, 2022: Recently, I submitted a nomination for this book for the Stonewall Book Award. More information via this video.

I saw this book on display at my community bookstore and it appealed to me as someone who grew up “different” in a small town.

The book centers around Jake, who recently came out and who, as the story opens, is his school’s first openly gay student.

In a show of love and support for Jake, his father hangs a comically large Pride flag in their front yard.

This leads to people expressing that the flag will lead to something “truly outlandish,” a Pride parade in their small town of Barton Springs, Ohio.

Except that Jake doesn’t think that’s a ridiculous idea and, with support from his friends and family (as well as from unexpected places), he decides to hold Barton Springs’ first-ever Pride celebration.

Collaboration between libraries

Identification of partners, collaborators, and resources is an important aspect of a “Library and Community Analysis.” The local public library is where I can make referrals in instances when my library is not equipped to meet a particular need.

‘Library and Community Analysis’

This week, in my course through Library Juice Academy, I was tasked with creating a “Library and Community Analysis.” One aspect of that analysis was to describe services and resources that the library provides to meet the needs of diverse individuals.

‘Who am I?’ (Library Juice Academy, ‘Cultural Competence for Librarians’)

I wanted to produce at least one video for the class I am taking through Library Juice Academy, “Cultural Competence for Librarians.” So I decided to make a video that addresses the question that was posed to us this week, “Who am I?”

‘Ballad & Dagger,’ by Daniel José Older

Ballad & Dagger, by Daniel José Older, combines supernatural adventure with political intrigue among a diaspora community of pirates, Cuban Santeros, and Sephardic Jews which have made a new home for themselves in Brooklyn after their island community of San Madrigal sank into the sea almost 16 years ago.

The story centers around Mateo Matisse, a high-school student and gifted musician who, when the story opens, is only concerned with gaining the attention of Gerval, a famous musician with local ties. Mateo gets much more than he bargained for, however; when he witnesses a brutal murder committed by a person he thought he knew.

Developing cultural competence

This July, I embarked on a professional class through Library Juice Academy, “Cultural Competence for Librarians.” This week, students were tasked with introducing themselves.