Virtual Inclusion Conference

Understanding the Changing Landscape of Higher Education and Cost of Living Increases: How these changes impact the inclusion of BIPOC library workers.
Laura Giacobbe, Monmouth University & Chrisler Pitts, Kean University

Libraries in the United States have a long-standing history of having a white workforce, with women being the majority of librarians. Though the racial composition of the United States has grown more diverse, as has higher education, librarians have steadfastly remained white. Despite implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies and statements in many libraries and institutions of higher education, these measures do not always ensure that Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) feel a sense of belonging within the profession. This presentation will explore the changing landscape of higher Education and its impact on librarians of color. This presentation also aims to bring attention to the financial barriers that BIPOC librarians and library workers encounter in the field and provide recommendations for supporting and retaining BIPOC staff.

The Inclusive Manager at Work - A guide on building your professional brand as a leader.
Donnella Tilery, Somerset County Library System

During this virtual session, learn how to become an inclusive manager through your communication style. Explore skills and knowledge needed to lead diverse teams effectively. Leverage the insights on personality types discovered through the DiSC® assessment tool to improve workplace communication. Why attend: This is a guide (no judgments here) on ways you can develop better working relationships and strengthen your self-awareness as a manager. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions ahead of time to be addressed during the presentation.

NJ State Library’s Information Literacy Projects
Sharon Rawlins, Michael Maziekien, & Andrew Levandowski, NJ State Library

Join NJ State Library staff to hear about the information literacy and digital literacy projects we’re working on that can provide you with knowledge to assist you in providing additional inclusive services for those you serve in your communities. Projects being discussed include an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant to develop a model curriculum to support the Department of Education’s NJ Information Literacy Standards, the Palace Project and the Digital Navigator Corps.

Cultivating Neuroinclusion in Academic Libraries
Drew Wallace, Montclair State University

Academic libraries play an important role in promoting success and wellbeing for neurodivergent college students. Recent studies indicate that neurodivergent students use the library more than their neurotypical peers because they view it as a campus “home base” that naturally aligns with their needs and preferences. However, neurodivergent students still encounter many barriers to inclusion resulting from the prevailing neurotypical bias in library design and general lack of neurodiversity awareness and training among library employees. To create a more inclusive library for neurodivergent Montclair State University students, a survey was conducted to learn about their firsthand experiences at Sprague Library. The resulting survey data was then used to inform our approach to promoting neuroinclusion through the library’s services and spaces. A neuroinclusive training program was developed for student-facing library staff, and a multimedia room was repurposed and retrofitted to create a sensory-friendly study space. While this ongoing project was originally designed for academic libraries, public and school librarians are encouraged to develop similar initiatives that promote neuroinclusion for their respective user populations.

‘Inclusion is the Way’ at Burlington County Library System
Shazia Zaman, Gabriella Graziul, Naomi Torres, Naju Webb Johnson, Jennifer Boeseman, Talie Meza, & Catherine Wishnefsky, Burlington County Library System

Burlington County Library System, Inclusion Diversity Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Action Committee in partnership with the BCLS Lifelong Learning Team is pleased to present how ‘Inclusion is the Way’ at BCLS. We will walk you through our internal initiative in bringing Inclusion to the branches, our personnel, collection and policies; and we will highlight how the internal Inclusion flows outwards to impact our communities through programs, community partnerships and access to inclusive technology and our digital collection. Our goal is to have an inclusive mindset at all levels of our operations and services.

Inclusion and Intellectual Freedom: Access, Equity and the Right to Read
Amanda Eigen, Maplewood Memorial Library & Amy Penwell, Riverton School Library

The OED defines inclusion as providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized. Intellectual Freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction as guaranteed by the First Amendment. In this program, we’ll explore the intersection of the two. What role does inclusion play in intellectual freedom? How does limiting access to materials affect inclusion and the right to read? And how can we, as library workers, advocate for both?

Approaches to #Inclusive Social Media Practice in the Academic Library
Angelina Carney, Fairleigh Dickenson University & Kelsey Gallagher Mambach, Middlesex College

Social media is a constantly evolving digital tool that presents an opportunity to promote inclusivity with library patrons. It gives library workers an online platform to showcase diverse library materials and accessible library spaces, while also connecting to the intersecting identities represented in the student body. Social media allows an academic library to engage with students, as well as other departments, and promotes a wide sense of belonging within the greater campus community. Inclusive social media practice can show students that the library is a place for them, no matter how they identify, what they believe, or how they live. Speakers will present a holistic approach to accomplish inclusive social media campaigns that equitably educate; recognize diversity of experiences and identity; and create a sense of belonging for students in the college library - both physically and online. Example posts throughout will explain strategic plans and frameworks for successful social media campaigns that promote inclusivity in the academic library.

Inclusion Starts at the Top: Exploring the Organizational Culture and Practices in Creating an Inclusive Workplace
Jessica Trujillo, Edison Public Library

Systemic problems require systemic solutions. Fostering an inclusive workplace environment where everyone can thrive is not simple or easy to do. It can be daunting to find a starting place to make changes to create more inclusive practices. This presentation will provide an overview of current research on the characteristics of organizational cultures and leadership styles that have a positive impact on creating inclusive workplaces.

Better Together: Working with the New Jersey State Library Talking Book and Braille Center to serve your blind and print disabled community
Jen Apgar, Elizabeth Burns, & Liz Kelly, NJ State Library Talking Book & Braille Center

The New Jersey State Library Talking Book & Braille Center (TBBC) is so much more than audiobooks, braille books, and large print books. Discover the variety of ways your library can work together with TBBC. We’ll share how your library can create a partnership with TBBC, tips to make your programs more inclusive, and success stories from other public library collaborations.

Immediately Inclusive: Simple Strategies for Group Instruction and Workshops
Megan Dempsey & Alyssa Valenti, Raritan Valley Community College 

When it comes to instruction sessions or training workshops in libraries, it is often as if every day is the “first day”. Many librarians will find themselves standing in front of a room of students or attendees that they may have never met before and possibly who do not know each other very well either. Establishing a culture of belonging and fostering feelings of inclusion can be challenging in these situations but implementing “first day” inclusive teaching strategies and other practices that contribute to a sense of belonging will help librarians create a learning environment that welcomes diverse learners, builds trust and communicates to participants that their individual perspectives and experiences matter in the classroom. The presenters are academic librarians who have been actively engaged in a campus initiative to adopt strategies from Hogan and Sathy’s book Inclusive Teaching: Strategies for Promoting Equity in the College Classroom. They’ve adapted strategies from the book to use in the one-shot instruction environment with overwhelmingly positive results from students who were surveyed. Librarians in all types of libraries tasked with facilitating or instructing groups of any size will learn simple but effective techniques for immediately developing a sense of belonging and inclusion among learners.

Opening Doors for Vulnerable Patrons: Implementing a Library Locker Program
Jeff Cupo & Britanie Montero, Elizabeth Public Library

Join us to learn about Elizabeth Public Library’s initiative to provide lockers to its homeless and housing-insecure patrons, not only as a practical resource but as a stepping stone toward their long-term stability. In this session, we will explore how secure storage fosters a sense of empowerment and autonomy to the most vulnerable members of our community, and creates positive relationships with library staff, allowing us to connect them with the information, resources, and services they need.

Including All: Quality Multilingual Health Sciences Information Resources
Helen-Ann Brown Epstein, Virtua Health Sciences Library

It is so important that patients and their families understand what a healthcare provider discusses with them; whether it is about a disease or condition, test or procedure, or drug. This presentation will share quality health information resources in multiple languages.

Breaking Barriers: How Userway Transforms University Libraries' Research Guides
Kevin Handeli & Meghan Hearns, Montclair State University Libraries

In today’s digital age, web accessibility has become a paramount consideration for all organizations. Ensuring that online content is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, is a value held high at Montclair State University Libraries and, more broadly, in libraries as a whole. As part of our commitment to inclusivity, we have implemented Userway, an innovative accessibility widget, into University Libraries' Research Guides.

Cultivating Inclusivity: How the Ocean County Library Embodies DEI Concepts
Wendi Smolowitz & Lori Sansone, Ocean County Library

At the core of the Ocean County Library’s commitment to inclusivity is adherence to the social model of disability. The social model of disability professes that individuals are disabled not necessarily due to their impairment, but due to societal barriers (physical or attitudinal). In our case, the onus is on libraries to ensure inclusivity rather than on the disabled person. Through staff trainings, internal committees which focus on disabled individuals and their caregivers, the targeted hiring of developmentally disabled adults, and feedback from disabled staff, the Library endeavors to hold diversity as an imperative aspect of our community. The Library aims to incorporate universal design, which is an outgrowth of the social model of disability. Universal design posits that individuals with a broad range of abilities should be able to access materials and services without needing to request accommodations. The Library is the first in New Jersey to host an Autism Resources Fair and among the first to house multiple Sensory Spaces, 50 sensory backpacks with items for in-house use, and a sensory corner. Creative programming, various grants, and staff training better enable Library staff to serve our customers, both external and internal. The Library has monitored trends (such as an increase in intellectually impaired adults attending college), used previous programs as building blocks for future programs, and formed numerous partnerships with various agencies. The Library also aims to ensure inclusivity for other minority populations via our Home Borrower & Volunteer Services Department, Senior Services Department, Ocean Pride Committee, and Cultural Awareness Team.

Connecting with our IDD Community/Become a MVP at the West Caldwell Public Library
Terri Garcell & Michelle Perry, West Caldwell Public Library

West Caldwell Public Library MVP (Mentorship Volunteer Program) offers students with IDDs the opportunity to develop social skills, engage with community and staff, job skill training, and experience a positive work environment.