Tips for inclusivity in readers' advisory and collection development

Continuing to highlight the Library Journal professional development webinar titled, Equity in Action: Building Diverse Collections, I thought I would share some tips that I took away from the most recent session, Collection Development and Readers’ Advisory for the Inclusive Librarian, presented by Becky Spratford.  Becky is a Readers' Advisory Specialist and creator of RA for All.  She offers free webinars on diversity audits and other relevant RA topics so be sure to check out her site.

If you are committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), hold yourself accountable and make an EDI mission statement. An EDI mission statement can help to guide your inclusivity agenda.  Also, read diversely, read widely, read about books and make a plan to consciously add #OwnVoices titles.  Don't be afraid to suggest books you haven't read and when suggesting titles, focus on appeal, NOT diversity (diversity is not a genre).  Remember that readers' advisory and collection development go hand in hand so commit to never having only straight white male options.

Take a look at your library support staff.  There is a good chance that they make a up a more diverse group than MLS librarians.  Include your support staff in readers' advisory.  More voices equal more organic diversity.  Working together is our most valuable resource.  Make incorporating #OwnVoices titles part of your everyday work and lead by example.  Readers' advisory is 60% listening, so listen and learn, and set the example so your collection can represent the world at large rather than a slice of it.