Diversity-toolkit

Infobase’s Diversity Toolkit

Celebrating diversity in your community helps foster a sense of respect, equity, and inclusion. We’ve gathered a wealth of content and digital tools—including special expert-led webinars, blogs, and relevant Infobase resources—to empower you with fresh insights, information, and practical strategies.

Scroll down for resources that celebrate and support diversity—and so much more!—at all levels, covering:

For more information, contact us at (800) 322-8755 or OnlineSales@Infobase.com

Beyond Heritage Months: Strategies for Authentic Collection Inclusion All Year

Join Audrey Barbakoff—librarian, educator, and CEO of Co/Lab Capacity LLC, an organization that offers community-centered consulting for social good—as she discusses strategies for authentic collection inclusion in your library. We will also discuss Infobase’s editorial philosophies that support building authentic collections.

Who Are We Missing? Diversity Audits to Assess Academic Library Collections Workshop: 2-Part Webinar Series

Is your institution preparing for a DEI audit of your library collections? Looking for insights into how to begin approaching such a large project? This series covers the before and after of a successful DEI collection audit, featuring two college librarians who have recently completed one. María Evelia Emerson and Lauryn Lehman discuss the use of audits as a tool for assessing diversity and inclusion within library collections and their planning, processes, and assessment of their audit experience

Don’t Believe the Hype: Educating Beyond DEI Through Justice and to Healing

The social uprising and unrest of 2020 resulted in an increased institutional focus on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI). Many school districts, colleges/universities, municipalities, and corporations scrambled to show their “wokeness” by establishing or re-igniting DEI initiatives and hiring DEI-focused staff. These efforts were happening parallel to attempts by some to control curriculum, limit academic freedom, and stifle efforts to ensure educational equity.

Using Bloom’s Literature to Study Classic Diverse Authors

Bloom’s Literature’s unparalleled content on major writers and works includes a wealth of resources on the greatest diverse writers, ranging from modern classics, such as Sandra Cisneros, Amy Tan, and Toni Morrison, to classics of the past, such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Ralph Ellison, and many more. Our search statistics show that these writers are among the most accessed in the entire database, even more popular than contemporary best-sellers. Jeff Soloway, Executive Editor of Bloom’s, discusses the enduring importance of the greatest diverse authors. Plus, learn how students can hear from contemporary authors in their own voices via the thousands of Publishers Weekly print interviews and podcasts.

A Discussion of Harmful Coded Language: Decoding Whiteness and Anti-Blackness in Education.

A THOUGHT-PROVOKING DISCUSSION

In this webinar, doctoral candidate and Unstandardized English podcast host JPB Gerald discusses the ways in which seemingly “neutral” descriptors, particularly involving race, can mask societal hierarchies, and provides strategies for avoiding linguistic pitfalls. JPB walks through a series of examples wherein these seemingly neutral words may go unnoticed to some, but can have polarizing effects, depending on perspective and experience. Viewers will come away with new insights as to how they can use language to challenge oppression in their roles as educators. We should all remember that our words hold power to both elevate and potentially deconstruct our audience.

Unpacking New Diversity Titles

LEARN BEST PRACTICES FOR COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT

In this timely webinar, Sue Maniloff, VP Business Development at Omnigraphics, covers the increasing need for diversity resources in schools and libraries as well as the benefits of conducting a diversity audit to best assess which areas within a collection need further development. Intended for school administrators, librarians, and educators, this informative session discusses the importance of unpacking and building diversity collections for various marginalized groups, helping attendees see themselves as a mirror and also as a window, seeing other points of view. Sue also spotlights the newly published Understanding and Navigating Discrimination in America, available now in Credo Reference and Source Reference.

Watch our exclusive interview with Sue Maniloff and check out her blog!

Abbott Is Changing the Face of STEM

6-PART PODCAST SERIES FOR WOMEN ENTERING STEM FIELDS

We’ve partnered with Abbott to showcase its groundbreaking podcast series for women breaking into STEM careers, Shaping the Future of STEM.

As a global health technology company that recruits world-class scientists and engineers, Abbott knows women are critical to solving the world’s biggest problems with smart, imaginative thinking. In this unique series, you will learn firsthand from Abbott female high school and college interns interviewing Abbott female scientists and engineers on topics such as paths to STEM careers, challenges women may face in STEM and how to overcome them, why working in STEM is rewarding, and much more!

#thisisamerica: A Webinar Series on Black America and Educational Inequalities in the COVID-19 Era and Beyond

FREE TWO-PART WORKSHOP

Session 1: How COVID-19 Placed a Spotlight on the Inequalities in America’s School System

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed—and widened—a number of critical gaps in the American education system, as the closing of many underserved schools impacted remote students with limited access to Wi-Fi, lack of school lunch, lack of parental supervision, and little funding, to name just a few of the challenges. In this first part of a two-session webinar series, expert Derris Hawkins-Smith offers an insightful look at these very real opportunity gaps, including his ideas on what can be improved—and how.

Session 2: Are We There Yet? A Discussion about Next Steps for Black America, 2021 & Beyond

The past year saw no shortage of political and social protests and unrest that underline how much work still needs to be done in the name of racial justice and equity. In this second part of a two-session webinar series, expert Derris Hawkins-Smith leads a thoughtful discussion about the state of Black America today, with a look at the crucial steps that must be taken on the path forward.

LJ Webcast: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Public Library.

This webinar features a panel of distinguished public library professionals who are embracing their role as community leaders. The thoughtful discussion spotlights how these librarians are promoting equity and inclusion and offering support for their diverse communities. They share their experiences improving services for underserved populations, adopting effective racial literacy plans, and taking concrete action to create inclusive and welcoming library spaces and services to uplift their communities. Presented by Infobase and Library Journal

How HBCU Morgan State University Empowers Its Students to Discover Their Best Next Step: Q&A Case Study

VAULT / FIRSTHAND HELPS HBCU STUDENTS CONNECT WITH EMPLOYERS

Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD, is a longtime subscriber of Vault Campus and an HBCU. Seana T. Coulter, M.Ed., NCC, BC-TMH, Director of MSU’s Center for Career Development, shares her experience, advice, and ideas on effective career advising for today’s students and career landscape. She also discusses the ins and outs of virtual interviewing and how Vault helps her students prepare for life after graduation.

Key Tips for Promoting Diversity and Inclusion At Your Public Library: Infographic

With the right set of tools, and open communication, we can all work toward a more diverse and inclusive environment for our public libraries. Our infographic highlights key touch points in establishing, supporting, and promoting diversity and inclusion for public library staff and community alike.

Must-Read Diversity Blog Articles

See All Diversity Blogs

Honor Women’s History with Infobase

February 21, 2025

Every year, the month of March is dedicated to the celebration and study of the vital roles that women have...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Streaming Collection Now Available

February 20, 2025

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is one of the most exciting and disruptive technologies today, especially within education. AI has the...

Fun Facts about the Presidents

February 12, 2025

You know how they say “truth is stranger than fiction”? We think this is why it’s fun to learn facts,...

Was the Biden Presidency a Success? A Featured Controversy from Issues & Controversies

February 10, 2025

On January 20, 2025, President Joe Biden stepped down from office after becoming the first president in more than half...

Go on Adventures with Sonic the Hedgehog

February 6, 2025

If you’re of a certain age, you might remember turning on the TV on weekdays to watch Adventures of Sonic...

Ten Popular Public Library Streams of 2024

February 5, 2025

What have public library patrons been streaming on Access Video On Demand and Just for Kids in 2024? Find some...

Librarians, Fight Misinformation with Infobase

January 31, 2025

Like it or not, we live in an era where misinformation and disinformation are abundant, and a misinformed public cannot...

Celebrate Black History Month with Infobase

January 29, 2025

Every February, we celebrate the many contributions that African Americans have made to our society and honor the many struggles...

Credo Reference Is an MLA Platinum Winner: Q&A with the Editors

January 23, 2025

Infobase’s award-winning academic resource Credo Reference just brought home another award—Platinum distinction in LibraryWorks’ 11th annual Modern Library Awards (MLAs)!...

Test Students’ Trivia Knowledge & Research Skills with Infobase

January 17, 2025

What day does the Spring Equinox land on? How long did the U.S. Civil War last? What was the name...

Celebrate the Life of Martin Luther King Jr. with These Videos

January 13, 2025

Every January, we honor the life and triumphs of civil rights leader and nonviolent activist Martin Luther King Jr. Infobase’s...

Can Donald Trump Pardon Himself? A Featured Controversy from Issues & Controversies

January 8, 2025

When Donald Trump returns to the White House on January 20, 2025, he will have the dubious distinction of becoming...

Don’t Miss These Diversity Webinars and Events

Supporting Diversity with Infobase: Resources to Inform on Issues of Race, Gender, and Culture: Webinar

Resources to Inform: Diversity and Inclusion in the Public Library: Webinar

MS/HS—Supporting Diversity: Team Building and Individual Strengths: Webinar

ES—Supporting Diversity: Understanding and Connecting: Webinar

Understanding Racial Literacy in the U.S.

Content for Students, Faculty, and Librarians

Are your students and patrons discussing the Black Lives Matter movement—and the critical issues it raises such as racism, diversity, civil rights, protests, freedom of expression, and global citizenship? To offer educators insightful background and context on these vital topics, we’ve compiled packages of relevant content available in Infobase resources—take a free trial today to see the wealth of content.