Atla Annual 2020 Online

A quick review of sessions at recent conferences and meetings of librarians and library educators reveals a strong interest in issues of diversity, inclusion, white privilege, and a professed awareness of its lack of a diverse workforce. For many engaged in the conversations these seem like issues long neglected by our profession. This session will frame a discussion of the importance of developing cultural competencies in our workplaces and among library students by first taking a long view of the ways librarians, libraries, and library schools have grappled with the challenges of ensuring access to all users. What do we mean by cultural competency? What are our colleagues doing in their shops and in the classroom? What has worked and why? How do we effect institutional change that makes a difference, takes real and realistic steps toward inclusivity and ensures a welcoming environment for workers and users? An examination of these questions will lead into and inform an open discussion to share successes, questions, and concerns.