Join ArLA's Reference & Instruction Services Community of Interest (RISci) for

Creating Inclusion

Image by Ernie A. Stephens from Pixabay

Pop culture persists in portraying libraries as stuffy, shushing, antiquated places. But anyone who works in libraries can tell you the truth – we’re vibrant places that serve our communities. So, how do we counter our negative image and ease library anxiety for our patrons?

One way is by creating inclusion. Every interaction that a patron has in our libraries could be the one thing that creates a returning user or ensures that patron never comes back. By creating inclusive libraries, we can create an environment that makes all patrons feel welcomed and valued. April Sheppard, Assistant Library Director at Arkansas State University, will share 10 steps to help you create inclusion in your library.

Then we want to hear from you!! Come share your thoughts, concerns, tricks, tips, joys, and sorrows about creating inclusion in your situation.

This free exploration is open to and appropriate for library workers in any type of library.

Featured image of a woman wearing mirrored shades shushing the viewer and standing in front of a library-type background is by Prettysleepy from Pixabay