Project initiatives related to DEIA are rising in academic libraries now more than ever. Oftentimes these projects focus on training staff how to create a more DEIA environment without first asking those from equity seeking groups how their work environment could change to support them better. The Canadian Association of Research Libraries’ [CARL] Inclusion Perspective Series takes a different approach in creating a more DEIA environment by asking those from equity seeking groups to share their lived experiences, highlight some successes and provide advice on how libraries can support them better. This successful webinar series was created by CARL’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group (EDIWG) in 2021 to highlight voices of library colleagues from a variety of perspectives including: Black, racialized, Indigenous, 2SLGBTIAQ+ library colleagues, library colleagues with disabilities, and with intersectionalities. There were a total of 28 panelists across all webinars with different identities, and many panelists held intersectional identities. The series was presented online synchronously and made available asynchronously on YouTube. The CARL EDIWG ensured the webinars were accessible by providing English and French live captions, translations, transcripts, and a summary document to bring awareness. In this poster session, attendees will learn the process behind developing this series, and ongoing learning that attendees can apply and adapt for their own context.

Contributors:

Sajni Lacey, University of British Columbia Okanagan

Vicki Leung, University of Windsor