Diversity

Kaye Johnson brought a statement from George M. Johnson, the author of All Boys Aren't Blue, which was one of six titles a group wanted removed from the public library. The Board of Trustees decided that all six titles will remain on the shelves at the Glen Ridge Public Library.

Greater representation serves young library users and the profession. But more effort is needed to bring in—and retain—Black librarians.

From Virginia Florence, the first Black woman in the U.S. to receive a library science degree, to Clara Stanton Jones, the first Black president of the American Library Association, pioneers of the profession.

These three picture books capture the hardship and joys that Black people have experienced in the United States, with nuance and sensitivity to a young audience.  

The godmother of rock ‘n’ roll, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, has influenced music greats like Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. These picture book biographies finally put the pioneer center stage where she belongs.

These eight titles center anthropomorphic animals, from snails to cats, and many more, celebrating special days like Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Purim.

Portland-based illustrator Kalila J. Fuller did the honors for our November 2022 cover story on the representation of Native people, stories, and culture in children's publishing.

 For our September issue, journalist Martha Hinton reported on new approaches to teaching the topic of slavery in U.S. classrooms. 

Driven by conspiracy theories and memes, contemporary antisemitism is spurring new strategies to inform youth, empower allies, and hold social sites to account.