Date
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Session Type
General: 60 min
Name
Weaving Diverse Voices and Perspectives: Crafting Inclusive Pedagogies and Cultural Responsiveness into Library Instruction
Description

At this engaging session, librarians from the University of (library name) will delve into their proactive efforts to cater to a diverse student body through a two-year study. They will share findings from focus group interviews involving students, faculty, librarians, and library staff, and also present the creation of a toolkit. Evidence from the literature points to the importance of adopting an inclusive pedagogical approach to teaching, which acknowledges and addresses potential structural disparities and inherent biases present in library instruction. Integrating culturally responsive techniques and fostering inclusive teaching strategies into library instruction and interactions with students can improve the overall learning experiences of students, especially those who are racialized and marginalized. The focal point of this session is the creation of a toolkit that aims to assess and exemplify anti-racist, inclusive and culturally responsive practices in all library interactions. During this session, attendees will witness nuanced scenarios emerging from focus group deliberations, highlighting challenges faced by faculty aiming to decolonize their curriculum, librarians navigating unfamiliar student demographics, and diverse students often intimidated by libraries. The presentation will aim to provide thoughtful reflection, significantly contributing to our collective pursuit of cultivating an inclusive and equitable library environment.

Track
Strategic Planning and Policymaking