Equity and Inclusion

Welcome!

Elizabeth Barrera Rush
Research shows that children are more successful in school and beyond when they feel their identity is respected and when they experience a variety of people and cultures unlike their own. As a librarian, being responsible for providing an environment that celebrates diversity is undoubtedly a daunting task. This page seeks to explore ways to help create a place that allows students to feel safe, welcomed, and valued. It also strives to be a place where open dialogue happens. I invite you to be yourself and share in this safe space. As we learn from others, we can explore ways to establish a brave space that empowers all who rely on us for help.

Elizabeth Barrera Rush
District Library Specialist, Texas

Finding the Trail to Inclusive Education

 by Elizabeth Barrera Rush

The national parks have specific rules, designated paths, and etiquette that allow people to enjoy them. The "don't feed the bears," "no ground fires," "stay on designated trails," signs remind us of the measures necessary to preserve wildlife, artifacts, and landforms. Our hearts and minds are free to wander, which provides a unique experience that satisfies curiosities, interests, skills, and abilities. Park rules don't change what we know or our perspective. They also don't prevent us from being moved to love, appreciate, and coexist with nature as it was meant to be. In the midst of some legislators' working tirelessly to limit how they think we are teaching in schools, I offer the rules of national parks to explain why anti-bias education is more necessary than ever. Anti-bias education prevents exactly what these legislators fear is happening in classrooms and libraries.  Read More >>

" I am the new librarian at a Title 1 Chapter elementary school in which over 70% are Nepali. I am having difficulty finding fiction and non-fiction books that reflect their heritage. Most of the students have a below grade reading level. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated"
- Eve J. Davis
"Dear Eve,

Thank you so much for your question—and the research you're doing on behalf of your students. Here are a few possible resources for your search:

Diverse Book Finder has listings for children's books that feature Nepalese characters: https://diversebookfinder.org/ethnicity/nepalese/

The Asia Foundation has published 6 books in Tharu: https://asiafoundation.org/2020/09/30/books-for-children-in-nepals-mother-tongues/; The books are available at https://www.letsreadasia.org/

Language Lizard has listings for children's books that are published in English and Nepali: https://www.languagelizard.com/Nepali-Bilingual-Children-s-Books-s/12282.htm

Bloom Library has online versions of books in Nepali: https://bloomlibrary.org/language:ne

The Nepalese Society for Children's Literature is a group dedicated to the promotion of children's literature in Nepal and could be a good source for more suggestions: https://nepalbalsahitya.org.np/about-us/

The nonprofit Room to Read that works on literacy in Nepal published an anthology of stories written by and for children: https://www.unicef.org/nepal/stories/our-own-words?fbclid=IwAR0SPved211Q02m4FWp8RN2CqW5ABQSpXrGhIEsOC_Va6nGj2HUwWcKwQKg

The Global Literature in Libraries Initiative shares resources on global literature, including information about authors from Nepal. See for example: https://glli-us.org/2019/11/10/featuring-childrens-books-written-by-nepals-ananta-wagle

If there are any community-based Nepalese groups in your area, it could be beneficial to reach out to them as well.

I hope this helps you find some new titles—and I invite any readers who have additional suggestions to submit them here."
- The SLC Editors