Throw-It Thursday - Culturally Inapprorpriate Material

Ashley Borman is the Technical Services Librarian at the Clintonville (WI) Public Library

Culturally inappropriate materials have been a hot topic in the library world in recent years. Many
people think that there are many books that should not be available, even if they are considered
classics, due to the way they portray thoughts and ideas about people of color. Other people see
nothing wrong with these same titles, and cite the historical importance of those same materials. 

I will admit that I have not paid as much attention to this as I should have until somewhat more recently. I will not try to tell you what is the right or wrong thing to do. I am still trying to learn and understand the thoughts and reasonings behind some of the claims and statements I have seen and heard. 

I do hope that you consider what is best for your library and your patrons, before doing anything drastic. 

There are many articles out there that talk about racist and culturally inappropriate materials on both sides of this issue. I have included several of the articles I have read that may be of interest if you are trying to learn more about either side of the issue. These are by no means the best or most informative articles on the topic, but they do provide a bit of variety in people’s thoughts and ideas on the subject.

Resource Articles

• Cooperative Children’s Book Center  - Weeding or Censorship

• Don’t You Shush Me (Blog of a high school librarian) - Addressing Problematic/Harmful Books in the School Library

• Horn Book  - Beyond the Pluto Problem

• National Coalition Against Censorship  - Statement on Removal of Dr. Seuss Books From Publication

• School Library Journal  - Weeding Out Racis's Invisible Roots: Rethinking Children's Classics

Celebrate Hmong Heritage Month

April is Hmong Heritage Month is Wisconsin. Marci Glaus, Education Communications Manager for PBS Wisconsin Education, recently shared resources perfect for youth in grades 4-8 relating to Hmong culture and history in their newsletter.

She writes:

"Something to sing about

Singer/songwriter, Maa Vue, creates music in the Hmong language. In her journey as a musician, Maa draws from her emotions while celebrating her culture and challenging expectations in the Re/sound: Songs of Wisconsin collection. (Grades 4-8)

PBS LearningMedia featured resource

Learn about the rich history of Paj Ntaub, or "flower cloth"--the beautiful needlework designs created for traditional Hmong clothing.  Hmong Paj Ntaub, from the Worn Within series on PBS LearningMedia, provides the centuries-long history and art of Paj Ntaub. (Grades 4-8)"

These short videos (under 10 minutes) are perfect for library programs. If you aren't regularly receiving this brief newsletter with helpful programming resources, stop here and signup for to begin receiving it.

Serving Diverse Youth Infopeople Webinar

Webinars are a great way to get training, ideas, and professional development from wherever you are or at a time convenient to you if you use the archived version. This free Infopeople webinar Cultural Literacy Programs in Your Library: Connecting with Diverse Children and Families is no exception. You can register HERE.

Description:

Do you promote cultural literacy in your library? Would you like to learn more about planning programs and outreach services for diverse groups of children and their families?

This webinar will help libraries establish a foundation for understanding how cultural bias influences services to diverse patrons. We will also explore strategies and resources for program planning and outreach. Presenter Jamie Naidoo will discuss how libraries can promote services and get community buy-in from specific cultural groups. Additionally he will cover where to find resources for planning the best programs that celebrate cultural diversity and connect children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.

At the end of this one-hour webinar, participants will be able to:

• Begin to examine their understanding of various cultural groups and identify personal cultural biases.
• Be able to describe how they can become culturally literate and promote cultural literacy in library programs.
• Become aware of some approaches to make their library welcoming to various cultural groups.
• Begin to identify necessary strategies for reaching diverse cultural populations of children and their families.
• Begin to identify strategies for planning programs that connect children and families from diverse cultural groups.

This webinar will be of interest to: Librarians and library support staff in public libraries who work with children.

For more information and to participate in the August 9 webinar, go to https://infopeople.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=591 .

Webinars are free of charge, you can pre-register by clicking on the Register Now button (at the top and bottom of this page). If registering with less than 30 MINUTES from the start of the webinar you can join directly from the thank you page by clicking the Join Now button. If you pre-registered you will receive an email with login link and a reminder email the day before the event.

If you are unable to attend the live event, you can access the archived version the day following the webinar.  Check our archive listing at:  http://infopeople.org/training/view/webinar/archived .