Racial Literacy in Libraries

Sally Battle is the Youth Programming Librarian at Mount Prospect Public Library, Illinois, USA.Betsy Bird is the Collection Development Manager of Evanston Public Library, Illinois, USA.Nicole A. Cooke, PhD, MEd, MLS, is the Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and an Associate Professor at the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina, USA.Kennedy Joseph is the Teen Engagement Coordinator at the Evanston Public Library, Illinois, USA.Jessica Iverson Wu is a Children’s and STEM Focus Library Assistant at Evanston Public Library, Illinois, USA.

• Foreword, Joseph L. Graves and Nina JablonskiAcknowledgementsIntroduction: Why Racial Literacy? Sally BattlePart One: Background: Why and How Should Libraries Foster Racial Literacy?Part One Introduction: Racism as Misinformation: Racial Literacy as a Solution, Nicole A. Cooke1. Understanding the Challenges and Opportunities of Talking to Children about Race and Racism in Child-Facing Institutions, Leigh S. Wilton, Jessica Sullivan, Analia F. Albuja, Sylvia P. Perry2. Tell Me Sweet Little Lies: Racism as a Form of Persistent Malinformation, Nicole A. Cooke3. Unpacking the Racial Literacy Turn, Jordan Bell and Yolanda Sealey-RuizPart Two: Essentials: What Does Every Library Professional Need to Know?Part Two Introduction: What We All Need to Know: Bridging the Gap between Theory and Practice, Nicole A. Cooke4. The Evolution of Skin Color and the Invention of Color-Based Races, Nina Jablonski5. Representation Matters: A Practitioner's Guide to Ethnic-Racial Development in Children, Onnie Rogers, Dana Mastro, Michael B. Robb, Alanna Peebles6. Navigating Your Equity Journey, Casey H. Rawson and Sandra Hughes-Hassell7. Racial Literacy in Collection Development, Betsy Bird8. Belonging in the Library: A Tool for Improved Access through Racial Literacy, Jessica Iverson WuPart Three: Applications: Fostering Racial Learning and Literacy While Serving YouthPart Three Introduction: How Can We Foster Racial Literacy without Causing Harm? Sally Battle9. School Libraries: Serving Every Child's Racial Identity Growth, Laura Reiko Simeon10. "Inclusive Classroom Libraries" Workshop for Teachers and School Librarians, Nicole Lawton11. Pathways to Racial Literacy: Incorporating Anti-Bias Principles into Youth and Family Library Programs, Sally Battle and Sydney Stensland12. Camp Read-a-Rama: Growing Racial Literacy through 100% Engagement Programming, Sydney Geyer and Michelle H. Martin13. Race Education–Specific Family Programs in Public Libraries, Sally Battle with contributors Esli Avalos, Jessica A. Bratt, Cristina Bueno, Crystal Elliott O’Connor, Kennedy Joseph, Megan Sanks, Jessica Iverson Wu, and Sarah Jo Zaharako14. Library Programs for Racial Affinity Groups, Kennedy JosephConclusion, Sally BattleIndex

Please, don’t turn your eyes away or walk past this book. Within these pages lies powerful, life-changing knowledge about racial literacy – knowledge that can open hearts, break down walls, and ignite a deeper understanding among us all. Libraries have become the beating heart of our multicultural communities, vibrant spaces where acceptance and hope flourish. Librarians pour their passion into truly knowing and honoring the wants and needs of their communities, transforming these spaces into sanctuaries of respect, inclusion, and unwavering support. They are champions of diversity, tirelessly working to ensure every voice is heard, every story is told, and every identity is celebrated. Let us embrace this movement, for in every word, there is the promise of a more compassionate, united world.