Content: Reading Advisory and Diversity
Type: Podcast
Length: 3 Hours
Level: Library Professionals
Organisers: Better Reading Podcasts
Presenters: Cheryl Akle, Dr Randa Abdel Fattah, Will Kostakis, Maxine Beneba Clarke, Laura Bloom, Deborah Abela, and Rachel Bin Salleh
Format: 6 x 30 minute podcasts
Reflection
Objectives: This 6 part podcast series, hosted by Cheryl Akle. was essentially 6 different conversations with 6 different authors about diversity in children’s books. The podcasts all had the guests telling their experiences and findings working in children’s literature, and the point of the podcast was to shine a light on how diversity either has improved or can improve in these books, and in Australia at large. The podcasts also showcased that diversity is more than the characters in the books and a diverse cast, but about diversity in authorship and production.
Reasons for attending: I watched these podcasts in order to gain a greater understanding of privilege and diversity in a professional library context. Due to inherent privileges I experience, it’s tough for me to understand the needs and experiences of under-represented peoples, so I thought the best place to get this information was straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.
Relation to studies and learning outcomes: This series focused on subjects pertaining to social justice primarily, with an underlying current of customer experience and community focus, with being able to represent and cater to under-represented communities being a key focus of the series. The series featured guests from many different cultural and racial backgrounds, and each offered a unique, yet similar, insight into diversity in Australia. There was a push for librarians to speak to teachers and educators to push for more diversity, in particular in terms of the authorship; books on the curriculum featuring diverse characters written by primarily white authors tended to hurt and disavow the hard work that these authors did.
Future Uses: The lessons from this series will stick with me in terms of reading advisory and teacher resource recommendations, where I will make a conscious effort to ensure any books featuring diverse main characters are firstly: considered, and secondly: as diverse in authorship in order to provide authentic experiences.
Evidence: Screenshot during podcast
Screenshot during podcast