Content: Diversity and Inclusion in Schools
Type: Presentation
Length: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Level: School Librarians and Staff
Organisers: Diamond Valley College Library
Presenters: Wen Moore, DVC Librarian, and Megan Mooney-Taylor, Head of Year 9
Format: A one hour presentation followed by a 30 minute discussion/conversation
Reflection
Objectives: This presentation seeked to educate staff on the needs of gender diverse young people, defining what gender diversity is, why it is an issue, and how these feelings manifest in young people. The major focus was on providing resources and spaces for these young people, and putting a stop to any untoward behavior. There was also plans to use the library space as a club space and safe space for these young people, and as the talk was delivered by a gender diverse library staff member, the presentation itself was leaning more towards what the library can do for students in schools, separate from classes.
Reasons for attending: Being a staff member of this library, and wanting to learn more about a concept that is very, very foreign to me, this seemed like the logical option in order to foster a more positive experience of students at my current place of work.
Relation to studies and learning outcomes: These concepts related to studies about community engagement, as well as general principles of public and school librarianship in terms of customer service. Due to the nature of the material there is also an obvious focus on social justice issues. From this I learnt a lot about gender as a social construct, gender identity, and how to treat gender diverse young people in order to make them feel safe and accepted.
Future Uses: The general knowledge gained from this will serve me well in any position where I interact with customers; learning about gender diversity gives a lot of perspective and allows you to treat other people with respect even if you don’t understand them. The focus on students and safe spaces, however, serves me well at future school library jobs, and possibly public libraries, where I know how to go about setting up a club and safe space, how to engage and police it in order for the gender diverse people to feel safe.
Evidence: Screenshot of Registration
Screenshot of Registration