Posters
- “After the Audit: Creating a Culture of Accessibility at the Library” Jennifer Rutner, SUNY New Paltz
After a SUNY-wide ADA audit of electronic information technology (EIT) accessibility in 2019, staff at the Sojourner Truth Library began a process of implementing an extensive plan to assess the accessibility of our online resources. This plan included reviewing and updating LibGuides, extensive collections policy updates, ensuring film accessibility, conducting a thorough database review, new professional development on accessibility standards and disability justice, and collaborations with the Disability Resource Center (DRC). In 2023-24 the Library expanded the scope of our work with the DRC to include accessible library orientations for students, and a very successful job-placement program called “Jobs for Juniors.” This poster will outline the STL accessibility plan, the projects and processes that were implemented, and the pathway to creating a culture of accessibility at the library.
- “Decolonize Your Legal Bookshelf” Malikah Hall-Retteen, CUNY School of Law
Decolonization theory in legal education and the law seeks to create a more inclusive, equitable, and just legal system that recognizes and values diverse histories, perspectives, and experiences. Decolonizing your legal bookshelf involves critically examining and expanding your legal resources to include diverse perspectives, particularly those of Indigenous communities, marginalized communities, and voices from the Global South.
- “Grabbing Tea: Queer & Racialized Conversations in Library and Archival Practice” Shawnta Smith-Cruz, New York University, Sara Howard, Princeton University
Grabbing Tea aims to illustrate queer and racialized identity perspectives in the LIS field with conversations as a method for scholarly inquiry, developed from a 2024 two-book series on queer identity in libraries and archives for which the presenters are co-editors. Conversation allows us to capture moments of discovery, frustration, joy, and spontaneity, freeing us from traditional and often confining academic standards; queer concepts of non-normativity unveil new considerations. The poster in three parts describes, 1: the methodology of the book project, 2: identity in libraries, and 3: practice in archives. Each section includes notable quotes from authors on ways queerness has informed their library or archival practice. Quotes venture into the somatic, enter the spiritual realm, supply introspection, consider queer taxonomies, identify erasure, critique the power of naming, and investigate classification systems. As co-editors, we aim to highlight intersectional queer contexts into tangible library and archival praxis with conversation being our methodological framework.
- “Navigating Dual Roles: The Lived Experiences of Mother-Academic Librarians” Mollie Peuler, Appalachian State University
There is a growing body of librarians and scholars who have noted the absence of scholarly literature that reflects the lived experiences of mother/academic librarians. Fortunately, librarians are beginning to note the importance of this exploration of identity and professional context.This poster will share the results from a qualitative phenomenological research study that investigated the lived experiences of individuals identifying as mothers and working towards tenure or continuous appointment as academic librarians.
The poster will showcase the six themes identified that encapsulate the experiences of the mother librarian research participants. These themes highlight the complex interplay between their professional duties and personal lives, illustrating the multifaceted challenges they face. The dynamic identity norms of this group, shaped by institutional contexts, are not static. Instead, they evolve and influence what is expected, valued, and understood within their professional environments (Swanson, et al., 2018).
The absence of shared narratives among mother librarians has created a void in comprehension and support within the academic library community. By examining how these mothers navigate the tenure track and continuous appointment processes, this research provides valuable insights for developing tailored support systems. Understanding these experiences is crucial for creating, refining, and advocating for structures that help mother librarians manage their dual responsibilities more effectively.
While this research is exploratory and does not aim to generalize the experiences of all academic librarian mothers, the identified themes offer valuable considerations for academic librarians and leaders. By filling a significant scholarly void, this poster will serve to advocate for a broader, more inclusive understanding of professional identity in the academic library field. It underscores the necessity of amplifying the voices of mother librarians, contributing to a nuanced understanding of their experiences and the development of more supportive professional environments.
- “Promoting Latin American Cultural Heritage Preservation through Minority Presses” Xena Marie Morales, Columbia University Libraries
Minority music presses are crucial to preserving the cultural heritage by amplifying voices that reflect the region’s diverse musical traditions, these presses focus on underrepresented composers and genres, fostering a deeper understanding in this case of Latin America’s rich and complex identity. However, their limited visibility in mainstream distribution channels presents challenges for libraries seeking to acquire these vital resources.
This poster highlights the role minority presses play in sustaining cultural narratives and emphasizes the importance of their inclusion in U.S. library collections. Challenges and strategies for identifying and acquiring these materials, and examples of presses in the US and Latin America that help support this vision.