Building Belonging: EDI Strategies for Children's Services and Beyond

Join us for an engaging panel discussion on fostering Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion among library staff. Designed for children's services managers, this session will offer actionable insights and real-world examples of successful EDI initiatives in libraries.

Our panelists will share strategies on how to:

·  Collaborate with library employees to reflect their voices and needs in policies and services.

·  Train staff in culturally responsive practices to better serve diverse communities.

·  Launch low-cost, resource-efficient EDI efforts within your team.

Panelists

Jennifer Gibson is Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives at St. Louis County Library. In this role she develops the organizational strategic plan, develops & oversees diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, & performs grant writing and grant administration for St. Louis County Library and St. Louis County Library Foundation. Jennifer was a 2022 Library Journal Mover & Shaker and a 2011 ALA Spectrum and ARL Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce Scholar. In 2023, she founded the Missouri Library Association’s first diversity committee, the You Belong Committee. She is also leading a statewide initiative to retain a diverse library workforce called the You Belong Scholar Program, which was recently funded by the IMLS Laura Bush 21st Century Grant Program. Jennifer holds an MLIS from San Jose State University, a JD from Pepperdine University, and a BA in Geology from the University of Southern California. She serves on the PLA Measurement Evaluation & Assessment Advisory Group and on the POV on PBS Library Board.

April Roy is the Director of Employee Success at Kansas City Public Library. April is certified by Cornell University in Conflict Resolution and Employment Law Mediation.  During her career of over 20 years, she has served as a Children’s Librarian, Branch Manager and Programming Director. After transforming service using trauma-informed practices at the L.H. Bluford Library, she was awarded the prestigious I Love My Librarian Award. Her work included a partnership with The University Health System for training, resources, and programming.  She is a Trauma Informed Care Ambassador, Trauma Informed Culture Trainer, and is certified in Mental Health First Aid for adults and teens. April has had the joy and honor of serving on the Caldecott Book Award Jury, Coretta Scott King Book Award Committee, and Chairing the ALA Children’s Notable Books Committee. She is currently Co-Chair of the ALSC Research Committee. April never turns down a chance to use a microphone to advocate for libraries and librarians. When she is not working, she enjoys road trips and spending time with her theatrical daughter and her three lovely cats.

Ashley Bieber (she/her) is a Library Development and Early Literacy Specialist at Minnesota State Library Services within the Department of Education. After 25 years of working in public libraries and 10 years as a children’s and teen librarian, she delights in being able to support youth services library staff across the state. She is passionate about encouraging youth services library workers to recognize and embrace their leadership abilities and works continuously with her colleagues and a BIPOC Advisory Committee of library workers on racial equity initiatives for the state.