About The Project

WI Libraries Talk About Race: Goals

1. Discover what learning gaps exist in the Wisconsin Library Community in order to better inform future continuing education work related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). 
2. Improve Wisconsin library workers’ capacity for discussing topics related to race (based on a pre- and post-survey). 
3. Determine next steps to improve the capacity of libraries and library workers in talking about and taking action toward racial equity.

Ways For Library Staff to Participate

1. Register here for the 2024 series. Additionally, we encourage you to watch any of the recorded webinars with a colleague, library staff, or board. These were originally offered live, statewide to the WI library community.

2022 topics included:

-Talking about race at work
-Engaging in sensitive conversations & handling pushback
-Understanding why diversity matters in majority white spaces

2023 topics included:

-Beyond Diversity 101 (Next Steps)
-Moving Past Midwest Nice and Towards Safety and Belonging
-Building Skills & Taking Action to Stand Up for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

2. Independent study. Independently explore foundational topics related to racial equity through suggested books, articles, videos, etc.

3. Group exploration or discussion. We encourage you to utilize the Independent Study materials and the Additional Resources by scheduling activities with your library staff, Board, Friends, community, or others.

Project Organizers & Contact Us: The IDEA Team

As part of a 2024 LSTA-funded project, WI Libraries Talk About Race is a team of system consultants from across Wisconsin named “The IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Action) Team.” The purpose of this team is to facilitate and organize statewide professional learning on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for Wisconsin library staff members. In 2021/2022, the primary focus for the team was on race and racial equity, in 2022/2023 the primary focus was allyship. 

Please contact any IDEA Team member with questions, suggestions, or to request any accommodations:

Jean Anderson, South Central Library System: jean@scls.info

Sherry Anderson, Northern Waters Library Service/Wisconsin Valley Library Service: sanderson@northernwaters.org 

Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System: sbrommer@scls.info

Tracy Herold, Dane County Library Service: herold@dcls.info 

Mark Jochem, South Central Library System: mjochem@scls.info

Leah Langby, IFLS Library System: langby@ifls.lib.wi.us

Elkid Alvarez Maldonado, Racine Public Library: elkid.alvarezmaldonado@racinelibrary.info 

Emily Rogers, Brown County Library: emily.rogers@browncountywi.gov 

Emily Whitmore, Spring Green Library: ewhitmore@springgreenlibrary.org 

Cole Zrostlik, La Crosse Public Library: czrostlik@lacrosselibrary.org

Additional Project Consulting

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Consulting for this project has been provided by the THE PEOPLE COMPANY. The People Company provides relevant advice, coaching, strategic perspective, and educational solutions for multiple industries, including healthcare, technology, higher education, insurance, manufacturing, service and non-profit industries to understand how diversity, equity and inclusion factors into their work, decision-making, problem-solving, business opportunities and business growth.