Racial Literacy in Libraries

Edited by Nicole A. Cooke,Betsy Bird,Kennedy Joseph,Jessica Iverson Wu,Sally Battle

ISBN13: 9798216170549

Imprint: Libraries Unlimited Inc

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Published: 05/02/2026

Availability: Not yet available

Description
Learn how libraries can develop and use collections, space, resources, and programs to expand racial literacy in their communities. Libraries are no longer simply providers of basic literacy – they’re evolving to meet community needs for an expanding list of literacies: digital, health, information, financial. Racial Literacy in Libraries argues persuasively that libraries need to add racial literacy to that list. Its authors and contributors teach you how to understand and communicate about race and racism. Since readers are likely to begin with different backgrounds on race, Part One offers a primer written by experts on the science and history of skin color, the invention of race and racism in the United States, and the development of racial identity. Part Two helps librarians bridge the gap between theory and practice. Chapters discuss the important concepts of representation, equity, and access and offer practical examples of how to apply them in libraries, including through collection development. Part Three offers real-life examples of libraries across the country who are bringing racial literacy to their communities through collections, curated resources, and programs. A companion website offers tools you can use right away, whenever you’re ready to put your racial literacy learning into practice. All librarians who want to bring a more bias-free worldview to library work will benefit from this guide to racial literacy.
Foreword, Joseph L. Graves and Nina Jablonski Acknowledgements Introduction: Why Racial Literacy? Sally Battle Part One: Background: Why and How Should Libraries Foster Racial Literacy? Part One Introduction: Racism as Misinformation: Racial Literacy as a Solution, Nicole A. Cooke 1. Understanding the Challenges and Opportunities of Talking to Children about Race and Racism in Child-Facing Institutions, Leigh S. Wilton, Jessica Sullivan, Analia F. Albuja, Sylvia P. Perry 2. Tell Me Sweet Little Lies: Racism as a Form of Persistent Malinformation, Nicole A. Cooke 3. Unpacking the Racial Literacy Turn, Jordan Bell and Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz Part Two: Essentials: What Does Every Library Professional Need to Know? Part Two Introduction: What We All Need to Know: Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice, Nicole A. Cooke 4. The Evolution of Skin Color and the Invention of Color-Based Races, Nina Jablonski 5. Representation Matters: A Practitioner's Guide to Ethnic-Racial Development in Children, Onnie Rogers, Dana Mastro, Michael B. Robb, Alanna Peebles 6. Navigating Your Equity Journey, Casey H. Rawson and Sandra Hughes-Hassell 7. Racial Literacy in Collection Development, Betsy Bird 8. Belonging in the Library: A Tool for Improved Access through Racial Literacy, Jessica Iverson Wu Part Three: Applications: Fostering Racial Learning and Literacy While Serving Youth Part Three Introduction: How Can We Foster Racial Literacy without Causing Harm? Sally Battle 9. School Libraries: Serving Every Child's Racial Identity Growth, Laura Reiko Simeon 10. "Inclusive Classroom Libraries" Workshop for Teachers and School Librarians, Nicole Lawton 11. Pathways to Racial Literacy: Incorporating Anti-Bias Principles into Youth and Family Library Programs, Sally Battle and Sydney Stensland 12. Camp Read-a-Rama: Growing Racial Literacy through 100% Engagement Programming, Sydney Geyer and Michelle H. Martin 13. Race Education–Specific Family Programs in Public Libraries, Sally Battle with contributors Esli Avalos, Jessica A. Bratt, Cristina Bueno, Crystal Elliott O’Connor, Kennedy Joseph, Megan Sanks, Jessica Iverson Wu, and Sarah Jo Zaharako 14. Library Programs for Racial Affinity Groups, Kennedy Joseph Conclusion, Sally Battle Index
  • Public libraries
  • School libraries & young reader services
  • Tertiary Education (US: College)
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List Price: £49.99