ALA Essentials for Library Workers: Engaging Diverse Library Communities

The library serves the community, and that means the entire community. As a library worker, one of the pleasures of your work will be working with patrons from a variety of backgrounds. In this presentation, Kevin Strowder from ALA’s Office of Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS) will guide you through frameworks for social justice and Equity, Diversion, and Inclusion (EDI) so you can provide better service to your patrons and create a welcoming environment.

After viewing this session, learners will:

• Understand the library’s obligation to serve all patrons within a community.
• Understand fundamental concepts of what marginalized populations are and how the library can more effectively serve them.

This training is included in the ALA Essentials for Library Workers: Full Training Suite.

About the ALA Essentials for Library Workers

If you work in a library—whether you’re a library director, a volunteer, a facilities manager, or a reference desk staffer—having a solid grasp of the fundamental concepts, principles, and ethics of library services is essential. All library staff must understand what it means to work for a library.

ALA Essentials for Library Workers is a new type of training for libraries—an orientation for all library employees that offers the ability to ensure consistent training in the principles of library services. This series features instructional sessions from ALA staff and library experts that are clear, concise, and applicable to any staff in any position.

The series consists of eight sessions which can be purchased as a bundle or bought separately in any combination. The materials can be accessed on ALA eLearning or exported for use on your library’s learning management system.

This series will offer an onboarding resource for those hiring new staff and a crucial refresher for long-term staff.

Group pricing available: