Project Implicit

Along with "looking outward" to increase diversity in our library collections and being more aware of how we, as librarians, can create safe spaces for all, I think it is important to turn inward and look at how our our perceptions and biases are created.  A great resource for closely examining our "implicit social cognition - thoughts and feelings outside of conscious awareness and control" is Project Implicit.  Project Implicit is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 by three scientists with a stated goal to "educate the public about hidden biases and to provide a 'virtual laboratory' for collecting data on the Internet."

What does this mean for you?  It mean a host of  IATs (Implicit Association Tests) that you can to discover your implicit associations on topics such as religion, sexuality, disability, and race.  I think that knowing our biases and their basis is a good step toward creating library collections and environments that are as open, diverse, and welcoming as possible.

Try out some of the IATs HERE.