OVERDUE: Weeding Out Oppression in Libraries

In this episode, Immer Honorato, Library Outreach Specialist at the Tualatin Public Library, talks with us about connecting his library with his community in Tualatin, Oregon. As an immigrant of Mexico who grew up in Tualatin, Immer brings an important bilingual and bicultural perspective to bridging the gap between library services and a library’s community. He reminds us that there are steps that all of us can take to improve accessibility, a sense of belonging, and relevancy in our libraries. Winter 2024 OLAQ - "Bibliotequitas para Tualatin (Bibliotequitas for Tualatin)" Pg. 29-31 Hosts: Joan Vigil & Kristen Curé Date of Interview: April 9, 2024

Multitalented Aaron Whitefield joins the hosts and shares insight gained from leading successful multicultural academic programs during the decade he spent working as an educator, library professional and youth development specialist in Columbus, Ohio. Aaron’s passion for uplifting youth and creating community is apparent, even while navigating systemic issues like sexism, classism, and racism. Those interested in better understanding the “unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs of living as a Black introvert in an ever-changing America” should checkout his podcast, The Semi-Social Life of a Black Introvert. Website: MU.FA.LI. - Home (iammufali.com) Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Roxanne M. Renteria Date of Interview: February 23, 2024

In this episode, Dr. Raymond (Ray) Pun (academic and research librarian at the Alder Graduate School of Education) shares insights on effective library advocacy through collaboration and community building, advice for aspiring librarians of color, and the value of involvement in the American Library Association and committee work. We hear about Ray's career transition from public to academic libraries, delve into the intersection of social justice and intellectual freedom (Ray introduces us to ALA's Book Resumes for banned books!), and touch on AI in education. Don't miss Ray's vision for ALA as a 2025-2026 presidential candidate. The 2024 ALA Election Period runs from March 11, 2024 through April 3, 2024. Only current ALA members may participate in the 2024 ALA Election. Click here to join or renew ALA today! Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Brittany Young Date of Interview: February 20, 2024

In this episode, we hear from Ayn Reyes Frazee and Mai Takahashi, co-chairs of the newly formed EDI Committee of ALSC (Association of Library Services to Children, a division of ALA). Frazee, who serves as current president of the Oregon Association of School Libraries, is a high school librarian in Portland and was a 2019 ALSC Equity and Diversity Fellow. Takahashi is a youth services librarian at the Seattle Public Library, working closely with Seattle’s Indigenous community and with local nonprofits that serve currently and formerly incarcerated people and their families. She was a 2020 ALSC Equity and Diversity Fellow. The duo discusses the formation of the committee from the viewpoint of BIPOC library staffers serving diverse communities, and the career paths and advocacy for youth that led them to these positions. We hear their vision for the on-going scope of work ahead in the effort to bring more voices to the table. Hosts: Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Constance Palaia Date of Interview: January 16, 2024 Association of Library Services to Children ALSC EDI Committee ALSC Equity Fellowship JCLC (Joint Council for Librarians of Color)

We are joined in this episode by Nichelle M. Hayes, MPA, MLS, founding director of the Center for Black Literature & Culture, and former CEO (Interim) of the Indianapolis Public Library, and current President of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). Hayes shares her background in human resources with us as she discusses ways that HR departments can help library organizations become more inclusive, diverse, and supportive of BIPOC library staff. She brings concrete suggestions for how HR departments and, by extension, library directors can advance EDI from theory to practice. The discussion ranges from how administrators can support BIPOC staff to how mentors and professional groups can likewise be of support. Visit her blog at https://thetiesthatbind.blog Hosts: Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Bryan Miyagishima Date of Interview: October 26, 2023

In this episode, we have the absolute honor of speaking with Jamia Williams (Consumer Health Program Specialist with the Network of the National Library of Medicine(NNLM) Training Office) and Jamillah Gabriel (Critical Pedagogy Research Librarian in the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University and a PhD student in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign). Before Overdue: Weeding out Oppression in Libraries started, Jamia and Jamillah started LibVoices, a podcast with the mission to "Hear from librarians of color speak to the fullness of their careers including successes, challenges, and achievements." Listen as we learn about their experiences' with the podcast, as they share what their favorite guest(s) and poignant moments are, and experience how they stay passionate about libraries. This episode is an inspiration and is full of laughter! Listen to LibVoices The Diversity Fellows Blog Call Number: Curated Black Lit Book Box Hosts: Brittany Young & Ericka Brunson-Rochette Date of Interview: October 12, 2023

This is a re-release of an episode recorded on September 20, 2022 and published on November 30, 2022: In this episode, we talk with Loida Garcia-Febo – a Puerto Rican American librarian, International Library Consultant expert in library services to diverse populations and human rights and the 2018-2019 President of the American Library Association – about the importance of getting out of the library and into communities, mentoring staff, in particular nurturing Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), and equipping all with empathy to better serve library communities. Trust is an important factor in doing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism work in libraries, as Garcia-Febo explains. Library staff need to work alongside community partners outside of the library to build that trust. Hosts: Roxanne Renteria and Brittany Young (Original) Date Recorded: September 20, 2022

In this episode we talk with Dr. Sandy Littletree (Navajo/Eastern Shoshone), Assistant Professor at the Information School at the University of Washington, whose work focuses on Native North American Indigenous Knowledge. Dr. Littletree shares background about Indigenous systems of knowledge, and practical application as it pertains to Indigenous information science, Indigenous librarianship and the intersections of tribal sovereignty, technology, knowledge, and information in Native North America. The discussion also shines a light on the importance of cultivating cultural humility as an ongoing practice, and as a foundation of establishing meaningful, authentic and compassionate connections. Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Kristen Curé Date of Interview: August 16, 2023

*There were technical issues during the recording of this episode. We apologize for any minor disruptions* In this episode of Overdue, we talk with Jody Redifer, Program Specialist at Multnomah County Library; Enrique Rivera, Library Outreach Specialist at Multnomah County Library*, and Trevor Walraven, Associate Director of Policy and Prison Outreach for the Oregon Justice Resource Center, about their work with patrons experiencing Oregon’s carceral system . These three individuals share their experiences, as well as provide guidance around providing access to library and information services, helping incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people with resources and readily available information that is lacking in the current justice system. Date of Interview: June 7, 2023 Hosts: Bryan Miyagishima & Brittany Young *Enrique Rivera will be transitioning into the role of Director of Higher Education in Prison at Portland State University on August 1, 2023

In light of the continued fight against book banning and censorship, we are re-releasing a conversation from last fall with the 2022 School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year, K.C. Boyd, and the two 2022 School Librarian of the Year finalists, Pia Alliende and Andy Spinks. Amid book challenges, political and cultural attempts to staunch access to books that reflect the history and lives of our youth, and funding cuts to school libraries, these courageous library heroes talk about their grit and determination to provide mirrors, inspiration, and access to information for all youth. Andy, K.C., and Pia discuss preparing for challenges, antiracist and inclusive collection development, and how to keep our eyes on the prize of nurturing healthy, critical, and curious youth. School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year 2023 Nominations have closed since the recording of this episode, and the 2023 School Librarian of the Year and Finalists can be viewed here. Hosts: Constance Palaia & Ericka Brunson-Rochette Date Recorded: October 23, 2022 https://www.banbookbans.com/

In this episode, we talk with Chantel Walker, Director of the Marin County Library Foundation and change management consultant with the County of Marin and other government organizations, and Patricia “Patty” Wong, City Librarian for the Santa Clara City Library and immediate past president of the American Library Association. These two dynamic leaders share challenges and successes from their own lived-experiences, as well as provide suggestions on navigating leadership and opportunities as professionals of color in predominantly white spaces. Date of interview: May 19, 2023 Hosts: Ericka Brunson-Rochette and Krista Neth

In honor of Tracie D. Hall having been named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2023, we are excited to re-release this conversation with Tracie from last spring. This is a recognition very well deserved, and we are so very thankful for the effort and passion Tracie exhibits daily to make libraries a welcoming and safe place for everyone. In this episode, we talk with Tracie D. Hall, Executive Director of the American Library Association, about how diversifying library staff is essential to the future of the library profession and how individuals can advocate for themselves and find opportunities to work with mentors or to mentor others. Hall discusses how her own background and experiences have shaped her view of library work, as well as the critical role that history, the arts, and libraries play in our communities. Date of interview: May 19, 2022 Hosts: Ericka Brunson-Rochette and Melissa Anderson OLA EDI & Antiracism Toolkit: https://bit.ly/3qSMDF7

On this episode of Overdue, we speak with filmmaker and owner of JJML Productions, Jon Osaki; State Law Librarian and Access to Justice Coordinator for the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary, Jenny Silbiger; and Professor Emerita and Director Emerita of the Fred T. Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law, Lorraine Bannai, about Osaki’s documentary Alternative Facts: The Lies of Executive Order 9066, and how research and libraries played important roles in exposing the truths and in bringing people together in solidarity and community. Date of interview: March 16, 2023 Hosts: LaRee Dominguez and Brittany Young Resources: Films JJML ProductionsALTERNATIVE FACTS: The Lies of Executive Order 9066https://www.minoruyasuilegacy.org/never-give-uphttps://www.minoruyasuilegacy.org/never-give-upLitigation documents The petition for writ of error coram nobis and exhibits: https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-405/. Books: Enduring Conviction: Fred Korematsu and His Quest for JusticeJustice at WarContinuing Legal Education Webinars: Harris County Law Library: Korematsu v. The United States. CLE Webinar (free)Historical Timeline, Procedural History of Fred Korematsu’s Court Case, and notes and resources on the Overturned Conviction, Abrogation, and ReparationsKing County Law Library CLE Webinar (Free)Curriculum: Using Korematsu to Teach Across the Law School Curriculum These are teaching modules that use Korematsu (and for Civil Procedure, Hirabayashi) in several law school courses and programs, including law school orientation and Introduction to Law courses; Professional Responsibility; Civil Procedure; Legal Research and Writing skills; and Constitutional Law. Each module contains teaching plans and student materials, including overviews of the wartime incarceration, edited opinions, and questions for discussion. For information about traveling exhibits, contact: Stephanie Wilson (wilsons3@seattleu.edu) Seattle University School of Law; Law Library 901 12th Ave, Sullivan Hall P.O. Box 222000 Seattle, WA 98122-1090 United States Phone: 206-398-4222; Fax: 206-398-4194

In this episode, we talk with Sherry Antoine (Executive Director of AfroCROWD), Laurie Bridges (Instruction and Outreach librarian at Oregon State University), and Diana Park (Science Librarian at Oregon State University) about their work to RIGHT history by writing Black history into Wikipedia. Learn about what is happening in libraries and partner organizations to further representation of Black folx (and all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). Wikipedia is one of the first results that comes up when we search the web, while still often disregarded for its ability to allow anyone to add information to the large system of knowledge. That ability, for ALL to contribute to this repository of information and history, provides a new way to fight for social justice and Black futures. Date of interview: February 13, 2023 Hosts: Melissa Anderson and Brittany Young Links mentioned in this episode: AfroCROWDAfroCROWD EventsOregon Black PioneersWriting African American History Into WikipediaLink to the EDI & ANTIRACISM TOOLKIT

In part 2 of this two-part episode, we talk to the creative team behind the Librarians with Spines book series calling for radical librarianship, Yago Cura, Max Macias and Autumn Anglin. This trio of "information agitators" share the origins of this series, the need for necessary boundary-pushing in the library profession, and the importance of having a strong support system when doing antiracism work. Hear about the efforts that went into the design and creation of Vol. 3, released in fall of 2022, and get a sneak peek of what's next for this series of essays pushing for a new era of librarianship. Listen to Part 1 here. Order Librarians with Spines v.1, 2 & 3 here: https://www.hinchaspress.com/librarians-with-spines Visit the Librarians with Spines Blog Link to the EDI & ANTIRACISM TOOLKIT Hosts: Constance Palaia & Ericka Brunson-Rochette Date Recorded: December 23, 2022

In Part 1 of this two-part episode, we talk to the creative team behind the Librarians with Spines book series calling for radical librarianship, Yago Cura, Max Macias and Autumn Anglin. This trio of "information agitators" share the origins of this series, the need for necessary boundary-pushing in the library profession, and the importance of having a strong support system when doing antiracism work. Hear about the efforts that went into the design and creation of Vol. 3, released in fall of 2022, and get a sneak peek of what's next for this series of essays pushing for a new era of librarianship. Order Librarians with Spines v.1, 2 & 3 here: https://www.hinchaspress.com/librarians-with-spines Visit the Librarians with Spines Blog Link to the EDI & ANTIRACISM TOOLKIT Hosts: Constance Palaia & Ericka Brunson-Rochette Date Recorded: December 23, 2022

*There were technical issues during the recording of this episode. We apologize for any minor disruptions* In this episode, we talk with leadership from REFORMA Oregon about centering equity work as the foundation of library work, how to begin shifting Oregon library culture to better serve diverse communities as well as how a culture shift can support library workers of color. We also talk about how REFORMA Oregon supports EDI Antiracism work in the state and how this organization serves as a structure of support for library workers who identify as Latinx, speak Spanish or serve Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities. Brandace Rojo is the Current President of REFORMA Oregon and the Communications and Partnerships Manager at Josephine Community Library District. Eduardo Arizaga is the Past President of REFORMA Oregon and the Community Engagement Manager at Multnomah County Library. REFORMA Oregon is a division of the Oregon Library Association as well as the Oregon chapter of REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking, an affiliate of the American Library Association. REFORMA Oregon is a professional organization for librarians and library staff who serve the Spanish-speaking and Latino communities. Date of interview: November 18, 2022 Hosts: LaRee Dominguez and Kristen Curé Resources talked about in this episode: https://reformaoregon.weebly.com/https://www.reforma.org/https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.htmlhttps://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/article/view/17370/19151https://psychology.umbc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/57/2016/10/White-Privilege_McIntosh-1989.pdfhttps://www.oregon.gov/Library/libraries/Documents/OLA%20EDI%20Toolkit/OLA_TOOLKIT_Hard_Copy%202021_02_11.pdf

In this episode, we talk with Loida Garcia-Febo – a Puerto Rican American librarian, International Library Consultant expert in library services to diverse populations and human rights and the 2018-2019 President of the American Library Association – about the importance of getting out of the library and into communities, mentoring staff, in particular nurturing Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), and equipping all with empathy to better serve library communities. Trust is an important factor in doing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism work in libraries, as Garcia-Febo explains. Library staff need to work alongside community partners outside of the library to build that trust. Hosts: Roxanne Renteria and Brittany Young Date Recorded: September 20, 2022

In this special episode, we talk with the School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year, K.C. Boyd, and the two School Librarian of the Year finalists, Pia Alliende and Andy Spinks. Amid book challenges, political and cultural attempts to staunch access to books that reflect the history and lives of our youth, and funding cuts to school libraries, these courageous library heroes talk about their grit and determination to provide mirrors, inspiration, and access to information for all youth. Andy, K.C., and Pia discuss preparing for challenges, antiracist and inclusive collection development, and how to keep our eyes on the prize of nurturing healthy, critical, and curious youth. School Library Journal School Librarian of the Year 2023 Nominations are due December 5, 2022. Hosts: Constance Palaia & Ericka Brunson-Rochette Date Recorded: October 23, 2022

In this episode, we talk with Roland Barksdale-Hall, Branch Manager at the Stey-Nevant Branch Library in Farrell, PA and an author, activist, historian, and griot. Our conversation touches on forging deep community connections, confronting biases, being true to oneself, active listening and making people feel seen, and the huge impact we can have on others. Roland shares his own inspiring story and the active work it took to truly become “the friendly place” in his community. The episode is full of concrete advice for library workers at every point in their career. Resources discussed: Roland’s blog post in Librarians with Spines Books authored by Roland Date of interview: August 19, 2022 Hosts: LaRee Dominguez and Meredith Farkas