School Librarians United with Amy Hermon

Inclusive Programming

·1 hr 38 min·5 clips

A librarian replaced service-hour displays with a student-only book recommendation tower that changes daily.

The episode begins with host Amy Hermon introducing the podcast and encouraging listener participation through the 'Have Your Say' initiative. She mentions Amanda Jones's upcoming book 'That Librarian' and a sponsorship with Literati Book Fairs, featuring a brief interview with veteran librarian Kathy Edwards about promotional materials. The main conversation focuses on inclusive programming with return guests Stacey Gilbert and Rachel Grover. Stacey works at a grades 7-12 school with a highly diverse population, while Rachel serves grades 7-8 in a majority-minority middle school. They define inclusive programming as a constant mindset, not a checkbox, covering passive, active, digital, and instructional aspects. For passive programming, Rachel describes a student-only book recommendation display and playing instrumental music from various cultures. Stacey shares the popularity of her 'Would You Rather' voting station, noting accessibility adjustments. Active programming includes Rachel's Dino-November event tailored for autism students and her makerspace clubs funded by a nonprofit grant. Stacey discusses FrankenToys, an annual event where students dismantle and reassemble toys, and a virtual author visit with Huda Fahmy for ESOL classes. Digital programming features Rachel's 'Question of the Week' discussion board and fall candy madness bracket, while Stacey highlights a student-suggested library cat named Sir Ginger Buns and a choose-your-own-adventure story for School Library Month. Instructional inclusivity involves Rachel modifying a leadership research project to include modern, diverse leaders and 'Fun Fridays' for beginning ESL students in the makerspace. Stacey collaborates with math teachers for Pi Day and Fibonacci Day activities. The episode concludes with ongoing emphasis on meeting students where they are.

As heard by us

A dinosaur-themed library event becomes a practical lesson in making room for every student.

Inclusive programming comes into focus through a Dino-November story: a student advisory team plans the event, an inflatable dinosaur costume helps draw the morning crowd, and the library makes room for students in the autism room who love dinosaur books by giving them their own…

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Why you'd press play

You get Dino-November, then the quieter version that made sure the dinosaur fans in the autism room got their turn.

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