Submitted by: Jennifer Hubert Swan

What are we doing well?

• Collection development
• Book promotion (readaloud choices, booktalk titles, summer reading titles)

The Library Department is mindful of diversity, equity and inclusion when choosing books for the 4s-12th grade collection and when choosing titles to share with students through readalouds, booktalks and summer reading lists. We stay current in our DEI practice by reading reviews and articles that reflect this work in our professional journals and by participating in committee and roundtable discussions in our professional organizations. The journals we write for and the organizations we belong to (The American Library Association, The Hudson Valley Library Association, School Library Journal, Booklist, The Horn Book) are all actively engaged in this work and their standards and guidelines keep us accountable. 

Where are the gaps?

• Despite our best intentions, we know our collection does not reflect every possible identity and/or viewpoint. We are looking at conducting a diversity audit of our collection in targeted areas this year as the schedule and space allow, and a more thorough audit in future school years. 
• Programming, specifically in bias education: the Library Department is poised and ready to collaboratively teach bias in research and the media and are currently being underutilized by the institution. We could partner with and/or provide resources for any curricular topic in terms of identifying and developing critical thinking skills around bias, fake news, disinformation, misinformation, and other forms of media manipulation.