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In this episode, the remarkable Heidi Estrada & Sophie Kenney discuss RAILS BIPOC Library Workers Group and RAILS BIPOC Library Workers Mentorship Program—two inclusive programs for library professionals in Illinois that foster support and mitigate racial disparities. More specifically, RAILS BIPOC Library Workers Group aims to foster connection, share resources and discuss specific experiences in a safe, welcome, and open space for all library workers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color.

Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Roxanne M. Renteria
Date of recording: December 9, 2024

Mentioned in this episode:

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We are joined in this episode by Oregon State University Associate Professor and Special Collections and Archives Research Center (SCARC) Curator, Natalia Fernández.

How can academic archives confront harmful narratives and create more inclusive records? Fernández shares how SCARC'S Antiracist Description Activities project is challenging biased language, improving finding aids and ensuring collections are represented with dignity, non-prejudice and accuracy.

Date of Interview: February 6, 2025

Hosts: Joan Vigil & Brittany Young

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In this episode, we welcome Kendra Morris-Jacobson with the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC), and Lisa MM Butler, a Black, biracial, transracial, domestic adoptee working in libraries in Washington State.

Kendra and Lisa discuss the vital role that libraries, books and educational resources play in the lives of children in care and adoptees. From fostering a sense of identity and belonging to providing comfort, escapism, representation and essential learning opportunities, access to diverse and inclusive reading materials can be life changing.

Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Ericka Brunson-Rochette
Date of recording: December 2, 2024

Access the ORPARC Lending Library here
Follow guest Lisa Butler on Instagram @theadopteeclown

Mentioned in This Episode:

VOICES, a BIPOC Adoptee Reading, April 26, 2025, 6:30-9PM @ the PAM CUT Tomorrow Theater, in Portland, OR, FREE (more details to come)

VOICES, a BIPOC Adoptee Conference, July 24-27, 2025 @ Portland State University, in Portland, OR, REGISTRATION

Additional (Not Mentioned) Upcoming BIPOC Adoptee Events:

BIPOC Adoptees Mixer, March 13, 2025, 5-8PM @ Stormbreaker Brewing in Portland, OR FREE

BIPOC Adoptees Writing Workshop, May 24, 2025, 1-5PM @ Seeding Justice in Portland, OR with amazing BIPOC adoptee writer, Joon Ae Haworth-Kaufka, FREE

Check out the robust list of content creators mentioned in this episode here!

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In this episode, the hosts welcome back Jamia Williams, co-creator and co-host of the podcast LibVoices, which amplifies the voices of Black, indigenous, and people of color who work in archives and libraries. This time around, Williams, a Consumer Health Program Specialist with the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) Training Office, discusses health literacy, resources and advocacy. In addition, she touches upon the topic of barriers to recruitment, retention and advancement, better preparing library students, and A.I.

Hosts: Bryan Miyagishima and Joan Vigil
Date of recording: November 21, 2024

Mentioned in this episode:
Find out how to become a free member of the NNLM, to access trainings, or explore resources. Membership is open to libraries, and other institutions such as community partner organizations. Explore the Membership FAQ to know more.

Explore the Joint Librarians of Color (JCLC, Inc.) website to know more, and find out about upcoming conference opportunities.

NALCO refers to American Library Association ethnic affiliates: American Indian Library Association (AILA), the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), the Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA), and REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-speaking.

Readings include:

• Bartley, Kelsa, Jahala Simuel, and Jamia Williams. “New to Health Sciences Librarianship: Strategies, Tips, and Tricks.” Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA) 109, no. 2 (April 2021): 330-335.
• Williams, Jamia. “Upgrading AI Dialogue: Prioritizing Women of Color Researchers.” CHOICE (blog). Association of College and Research Libraries, October 22, 2024.

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In this episode we welcome We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) board members and authors Caroline Richmond (Executive Director) and Dhonielle Clayton (COO) to discuss why it is more important than ever to ensure diverse books are available and accessible to youth.

Since its creation in 2014, WNDB has championed diverse publishing and diverse creators, and has pushed back against the lack of diverse representation in youth literature, publishing and collections. Their advocacy efforts include, but are not limited to: mentoring marginalized creators, donating diverse books to schools and libraries across the nation, providing resources to diverse publishing professionals, and supporting educators and creators facing censorship attempts.

Learn more about WNDB's programs, resources and successes.

Hosts: Gene Iparraguirre and LaRee Dominguez
Date of recording: November 8, 2024

Mentioned in this episode:
Indigenous Reads Risingq
Books Save Lives Campaign
Walter Grant
Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club

Caroline Richmond's Author Website
Dhonielle Clayton's Author Website

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In this episode, Dr. Emily Knox, a professor in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, explores the intersection of intellectual freedom, freedom of expression, and social justice, as well as power, neutrality, and the rise in book challenges and bans in the United States.

Hosts: Ericka Brunson-Rochette and Gene Iparraguirre
Record Date: October 9, 2024*
*Please note episode was recorded prior to the 2024 election

Mentioned in this episode:
'The creed of a librarian: no politics, no religion, no morals' by D.J. Foskett
ALA Library Bill of Rights
Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse 2024 Report
Book Riot article on Krause's 850 "Banned Books"

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In this episode*, we have the absolute honor of conversing with Donna Barba Higuera, Middle Grade and Picture Book Author, Newbery Medal and Pura Belpré Award Winner and New York Times Best Seller. Donna shares from where and whom she draws her stories, and how she went from an imaginative child to inspiring readers of all ages.

In a time where book challenges are on the rise, Donna discusses the importance and power of sharing stories, owning the stories you hear and having access to stories representing all kinds of readers.

*A follow-up conversation was had between Donna, Ericka and Pia live on stage at the Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC) National Institute on September 21, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. The theme of the Institute was Standing up for Stories, and the hosts were able to dig deeper into the stories shared in this conversation and Donna, in turn, asked questions of the hosts about the power of sharing voices and experiences on the podcast. Unfortunately, there were sound quality issues with that recording and in the end it was not able to be saved. Pia and Ericka share a small reflection on both conversations at the end of this episode.

Date of interview: August 27, 2024
Date of post interview reflection: October 16, 2024
Host(s): Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Pia Alliende

Additional Info. & Links:
Donna's website-https://www.dbhiguera.com/
2024 ALSC National Institute-https://www.ala.org/alsc/confsce/institute

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In this episode we are joined in conversation by Shannon LaRance (Dine'/Hopi/Assiniboine). Founder of Indigenous Empowerment, Indigenous Empowerment's mission is to ensure culturally sensitive counselors and social service agents are accessible to those in need. Their goal is to train human service organizations across the nation on the complexities, nuances, and beauty of Indigenous people. Social Worker, Counselor, So’oh Story Time.

So'oh, meaning "Grandmother" in Hopi, embodies the essence of our storytelling traditions. It reflects the nurturing and educational atmosphere created on her Youtube channel - “So’oh Story Time”. LaRance reads books for our children and grandchildren - with an emphasis on books written or illustrated by Native American/Indigenous authors and illustrators.

Date of interview: September 6, 2024
Host(s): LaRee Dominguez & Joan Vigil

Additional Info. & Links:
https://linktr.ee/SoohStoryTime
So'oh Story Time - YouTube