~ Ally Dowds, MBLC Consultant to Special Populations
This January, the MBLC is launching a 12-month series, Core Connections, to showcase how libraries are uniquely positioned to create consistent opportunities and partnerships to uplift both our patrons and our staff. The series is a mix of informational sessions, workshops and panel discussions focused on practical tools and resources to build community supports and strengthen allyship of vulnerable and marginalized individuals.
Join us each month to explore new topics with statewide partners and library peers that address emerging library trends, adaptive and accessible spaces for people living with disabilities, and outreach to isolated community members who may be aging, struggling with mental health or justice impacted. Leave with a sense of learning, understanding and deeper support for what it means to break down barriers and foster a culture of care.
Core Connections Roadmap
Building connections isn’t just one single step. It’s ongoing work and immersion. Monthly topics are still developing, may evolve or shift, but the roadmap ahead will hopefully guide and pique your interests to join the conversation.
January: Welcoming Patrons Who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Late Deafened to Your Library
Explore how to create a welcoming environment for patrons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or late deafened in real-world library settings. Facilitated by the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
February: Supporting Aging Populations
Learn about statewide resources and gain practical strategies for developing age-friendly environments and cultivating partnerships. Facilitated by the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative & The Executive Office of Aging & Independence
March: Building LGBTQIA+ Affirming Library Workplaces
For library managers, directors and trustees. This session offers a forum to explore what meaningful allyship looks like for LGBTQ+ library staff, how library spaces are an essential part of allyship, and a general overview on what can be done to make your workplaces safer and more LGBTQIA+ affirming. Facilitated by the Massachusetts Commission for LGBTQIA Youth
April: Trauma-Informed Engagement in Librarianship
Take a collective breath with Somerville Public Library’s very own social worker, Jake Savage, and familiarize yourself with trauma and the concept of trauma-informed engagement to develop strategies for working with library patrons.
May: Libraries as Health Equity Hubs
A panel featuring perspectives from staff at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health encouraging conversations on mental health in the workplace and among library service populations.
June: Emerging Trends in Public Library Services
A panel discussion featuring thought leaders from the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Simmons University on what emerging library trends will impact staff and patrons today, tomorrow and in the future.
July: Law for Librarians
Hear from library colleagues in Massachusetts who have participated in ALA’s Law for Librarians and are part of a national cadre of trainers empowered to deflect censorship challenges and other legal hurdles impacting libraries.
August: Finding Grants and Funding
As this series builds partnerships and germinates ideas, the next step may be the need for critical funding. Join the MBLC staff and industry colleagues to discuss pathways for funding of new and evolving projects.
September: Allyship in Leadership: Supporting BIPOC Library Staff
For library managers, directors and trustees. A conversation around guidance and dialogue to learn actionable strategies for fostering inclusive leadership and uplifting the experiences of BIPOC staff in library workplaces.
October: Libraries Beyond Accessibility: Serving Patrons with Print and Other Disabilities
Many libraries throughout the Commonwealth are designated access centers and offer special assistive aids and technology. Learn how your library can take this conversation beyond technology and tools for comprehensive, universal engagement. Facilitated by Perkins Library.
November: Allyship in Leadership: Supporting Staff with Disabilities
For library managers, directors and trustees. A conversation around guidance and dialogue on how to foster an inclusive, accessible and legally compliant workplace through reasonable accommodations, respectful communication and supportive practices.Â
December: Bridging gaps in services to justice-involved communities
Learn from a panel of library colleagues about how your library can bridge service gaps and better support justice-involved community members through inclusive, informed practices.
Confirmed session details and registration for individual Building Community Supports and Allyship sessions are available on the MBLC Calendar. Session overviews, current information and recordings are located on the Core Connections series webpage.Â