In continued support of the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives of the Oregon Library Association (OLA) EDIA Committee and their tremendous work in developing the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Antiracism toolkit [pdf], the State Library of Oregon is offering Libraries Leading with Equity, a four-part EDI training opportunity facilitated by librarian and EDI practitioner Christina Fuller-Gregory. Using a cohort-based model, this training will provide participants with opportunities to learn, develop, and implement skills and best practices that will be critical to introducing lasting and successful EDI initiatives in their communities. This regional training is open to all library types, all library staff, library volunteers, and library advocates. Priority will be given to libraries and applicants in the cohort target of eastern Oregon.
Training participants can expect to engage in a learning process that centers and prioritizes an understanding of EDI concepts and, through personal supported study and exploration, provides opportunities for them to gain the confidence needed to promote equity work in their communities, partnering with existing groups and community members of color as authentic advocates and allies.
Training is happening over four sessions, on Mondays on the following dates:
Participants can expect to learn about:
The trainings will be an opportunity for both those new to equity work and those experienced with equity work to learn more and begin to work together. The cohorts are safe spaces for learning, growing, and community building.
Please read the participant expectations where you can find the link to apply. The deadline to apply is February 14, 2025 and up to 25 applicants will be selected.
This project was made possible in whole by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Library of Oregon.
What Are The Expectations for Participants?
Each participant chosen for a cohort will be expected to make a commitment to actively take part in all four learning sessions as well as engage in the implementation projects between sessions. You must come with a learner's mind, ready to engage in the learning (and unlearning) necessary to truly explore the concepts in the OLA Anti-Racism toolkit.
The four meetings will take place between March 2025 and May 2025. Participants will have post-session assignments between sessions. We anticipate the overall time commitment to be approximately 40 hours.
Building a network of support amongst cohort members is an essential element of the cohorts project. Successful participants will not only come prepared to engage in their own learning, but to provide empathetic and open support to their fellow learners; there will be opportunities for individual and group learning.
Application Process
Applications are now open: up to 25 applicants will be selected to participate with a preference for those in eastern Oregon. The deadline for applying is February 14, 2025 or until all seats are filled.
Please note: the State Library asks that all participants engage fully (attend, participate, discuss and complete assignments).
If you are unable or not willing to agree to this, please be kind and leave a seat for someone else.
You can use this form to apply.
What Support is Available For Participants?
We will work to support individuals in their participation, with funds available to support mileage stipends, per diem, hotel, and potentially substitute coverage for both the virtual and in-person sessions for our colleagues in solo libraries. Libraries are encouraged to send more than one staff person, and extend the opportunity to key volunteers
For the two in-person meetings, coffee, tea, water, morning snacks, and lunch will be provided at the cohort meeting location. Participants will not receive a bill for participating in the program; this may be of use for library staff in communities who are not supportive of equity training.
It is our hope that the barriers that library staff in eastern Oregon may face that prevent taking part in training will be removed for cohort participants.
In our virtual sessions, we will ensure attendees have the support they need to fully participate.
Cohort Facilitator: Christina Fuller-Gregory
Christina Fuller-Gregory (she/her/hers) is a librarian and experienced Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice practitioner. She is also the principal consultant at Fuller Potential Consulting.
Christina is an active member of the American Library Association (ALA), Public Library Association (PLA), and Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA). A 2017 ALA Emerging Leader, she currently serves as program facilitator for the Emerging Leaders program. She has also served as co-chair of the Public Library Associations (PLA) Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Social Justice Committee (PLA EDISJ). Deeply embedded in EDI work, Christina has served on both ALA’s EDI Assembly and ALA’s Diversity Committee. She also sits on advisory groups for the New Face of Library Makerspaces and for Library Journal’s Equity in Action Series. In recognition of her advocacy work in the areas of equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice, Christina was named as a 2021 Library Journal Mover and Shaker.
Led by Fannie Lou Hamer’s belief that ‘Nobody’s free until everybody’s free,’ Christina's work is driven by a desire to see Libraries develop strategies for weaving equity, diversity, and inclusion into the very fabric of their organizations.