AAHSL Book Club: Welcome!

Welcome you to the 2024 AAHSL Book Discussion Group

We will be discussing Better Allies: Everyday Actions to Create Inclusive, Engaging Workplaces by Karen Catlin over the course of five months, beginning in April.  We hope that you will join us.  Below are the learning objectives and the ground rules we will be following over the course of the discussion group.   On tab number two above, you can learn more about the book and the author as well as links to purchase the book via Amazon or to find a copy at your local library via WorldCat.  On tab three, you will find the schedule we will follow from April through September. There will be nine session groups with each group meeting on a different day of the month.  On tab four, you will find the nine sessions listing the day of the month and times (Eastern and Pacific) when each session meets, the moderators (with e-mail contact information), and a link to register for that session.  Once registered, you will be a member of that session for the course of the book discussion.  And on tab five, you will find other resources related to racism and diversity. 

As you read the book, It is our hope that you will keep an open mind, lean into your discomfort, learn from your colleagues, contribute to discussions in ways that are personally impactful. More importantly, we hope that this experience provides you with a meaningful opportunity to bring out the best in you. 

Happy Reading!

• Create a safe learning environment where information professionals can discuss difficult topics related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Engage information professionals in conversations related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Provide a method for information professionals to participate no matter what type of library they work in or where they are physically located.
• Connect librarians with similar interests to assist with networking.

We will be using the Gay Straight Alliance’s Guidelines for Respectful Discussion to set the tone for all book club discussion. Adherence to these statements will be strictly enforced to ensure that all sessions are respectful and provide a safe place for all participants.

• One mic, one voice. Only one person should speak at a time. 
• Step up, step back. Participants should be aware of how much they are speaking. If they feel they are speaking a lot, they should let others speak, and if they find themselves not talking, they should try to contribute some comments, ideas or suggestions. 
• Use “I” statements. Everyone should speak from his/her/hir own experiences. 
• Avoid making generalizations. Don’t make blanket statements about any groups of people. (In addition to members of the LGBT community, this also includes political parties, religious groups, socioeconomic classes, age ranges, etc.) If you’re not sure that something you want to say is factually correct, phrase it as a question. 
• No assumptions — except for best intentions. People should not assume other people’s experiences or anything else. The only assumption people should make is that when other participants speak, they are speaking with the best intentions and do not mean to offend anyone. 
• Correct gently, but do correct. If participants say something that is incorrect or offensive, politely call them on that. Letting comments slip by only makes the space less safe and increases the difficulty of building successful partnerships. 
• Respect confidentiality. Assume that stories and comments shared at meetings should remain private. If you would like to share someone’s story or comment, please ask them first. 
• Don’t “yuck my yum.” Diverse groups have lots to offer, and that includes different tastes. When group members share their likes and dislikes, respect their personal opinions and preferences. 
• Lean into discomfort. Meetings and topics can sometimes be challenging. Be willing to experience some discomfort in discussions, and learn from it as a team!