Council on Library and Information Resources

The Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) will develop a program for Black librarians to heal and support each other through dialogue, mentorship, a network of support, and cultural immersion. The program will enable Black librarians to develop and augment efforts to advance equity in their home communities, inspiring organizational change across the field by sharing lessons that can only be expressed with a dedicated network of support. The project will support a two-and-a-half-day convening for Black librarians in Charleston, SC, focused on finding community with each other, healing from workplace hostility, and creating more equitable communities at home. Expert facilitators will guide the conversations, teach relevant skills, and help to foster trusting connections between participants. Participants can also propose library-based microgrant projects focused on advancing local equity. Following the convening, the group will participate in online meet-ups and conferences to support each other’s projects and professional lives. The team plans to share insights through a publication, podcast, and presentations to inspire greater equity in the professional library field.