{"id":19779,"date":"2018-11-30T00:00:16","date_gmt":"2018-11-30T05:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/?p=19779"},"modified":"2018-12-14T17:08:35","modified_gmt":"2018-12-14T22:08:35","slug":"childrens-librarians-are-experts-at-building-collections-that-reflect-their-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2018\/11\/childrens-librarians-are-experts-at-building-collections-that-reflect-their-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Children’s Librarians Are Experts at Building Collections That Reflect Their Communities"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the things I love most about my job is collection development.\u00a0 I love keeping an eye out for titles that may appeal to one or two reluctant readers I know, and buying books that I think may become new favorites. What I really love though, is buying books that beautifully reflect my local and global communities in an accurate way.<\/p>\n

I am sure that many of you are familiar with the concept of \u201cMirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors\u201d, eloquently coined and explained by Rudine Sims Bishop<\/a>.\u00a0 Books can serve as mirrors for ourselves- reaffirming our place in a larger world.\u00a0Books can also serve as windows- allowing us to look into the world of others. They can also be sliding glass doors, allowing readers to step into the other world created by an author<\/p>\n

Four years ago, I wrote a guest post for the ALSC blog<\/a> about the difference between Multicultural and Diverse literature, and why authenticity is important \u2013 the message is still important now.\u00a0\u00a0Through these reads, kids learn about themselves and others. The books become \u00a0the “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors.” \u00a0While many of us know all of this, at times, the realization does not always make it easier when finding books and resources that highlight the diversity that is within our communities.<\/p>\n

I thought I would begin to compile a list of resources that either I use or others have recommended, either on discussion lists or in person.\u00a0 If you have one that is not listed, please add it in the comments, and I will edit the post, and add it.\u00a0\u00a0 Please know this is not a definitive list, but rather a starting point!<\/p>\n

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