Defending Intellectual Freedom: LGBTQ+ Materials in School Libraries

Description

AASL's new resource guide, Defending Intellectual Freedom: LGBTQ+ Materials in School Libraries, examines how to build and safeguard LGBTQ+-inclusive collections, instruction, and spaces. Developed and framed through the lens of the Shared Foundations from the new AASL National School Library Standards (Inquire, Include, Collaborate, Curate, Engage, and Explore), the guide includes why this is such crucial equity work, as well as easily accessible activities, reflective questions, real-world scenarios, and extensive resources. During this webinar, the guide--including its exercises and frameworks and an introductory infographic--will be unpacked. Ideas for using the guide as part of a school or district-wide professional development will be explored, as well as ways a similar framework could be used to address other key issues for school librarians.

Learning Objectives:

• Become familiar with AASL's Resource Guide, Defending Intellectual Freedom: LGBTQ+ Materials in School Libraries, accompanying infographic, applied framework, and activities.
• Reflect on proactive steps they can take to build and safeguard their own LGBTQ+-inclusive collections, instruction, and spaces.
• Brainstorm ways to engage their colleagues in ongoing professional development centered on this topic.
• Begin to use the AASL Standards and six Shared Foundations as a similar lens to unpack a key school library issue of their choice.

Speaker(s):

• Rachel Altobelli, Director of Library Services & Instructional Materials, Albuquerque (N.Mex.) Public Schools
• Julie Stivers, School Librarian, Mount Vernon Middle School
• Juan Rivera, School Librarian, Past VP of Membership NYCSLA, NYC DOE, A. Philip Randolph High School