The document discusses challenges that diverse groups face when accessing libraries and recommends ways libraries can help mitigate these challenges. It suggests libraries advocate for hardware/WiFi, provide strategies for various reading environments, training in apps/databases, and online programming targeting diverse populations. Libraries should partner with parent/community groups, political/civic organizations, and child advocacy groups. Going forward, libraries need to ensure patrons have access to cultural content by changing from limited to unlimited ebook collections, using accessible formats for K-12, investing in diverse ebook collections, and training staff. The document recommends youth books and resources for librarians to consider. It suggests using social media to represent, engage, and advocate for diverse groups online by capturing students

1. Promoting Multicultural (EDI)
Librarianship in Virtual Spaces
K.C. Boyd, M.A., M.Ed. & M.L.I.S.
Library Media Specialist, Jefferson Academy
District of Columbia Public Schools

2. Challenges that diverse or multi-ethnic
groups face when it comes to libraries:
Access to hardware and wifi
Quiet reading environment
Navigating new technologies
Reading with instructional supports
Availability of diverse titles in accessible catalogs

3. What can libraries do to help mitigate some
of these challenges for specific populations?
Help advocate for hardware and wifi for their students
Provide strategies to effectively
read in various reading environments
Provide training in using apps/websites/databases
Provide online programming that
specifically target diverse populations.
Provide diverse titles in accessible catalogs for student use.

4. Who should libraries partner with and why?
Parent organizations
Community groups
Political/Civic Organizations
Child advocacy groups
Vendors

5. Going forward, what can libraries do
to ensure that patrons have access to
cultural content when they may have
limited ebook collections?
How should we plan for the future, if
and when this happens again?
•Change the practice from 'limited to unlimited'
•Accessible formats for K-12
•Train-Train-Train
•Digital Citizenship
•Invest in ebook collections for all interests
•Invest in digital formats that appeal to all learners

6. What ebooks, for youth and/or young adults, can
you recommend for librarians who may now be
considering ramping up their e-collections?
What resource list or website can librarians use
where more info can be accessed?
Youth:
Some Places More Than Others by Renee Watson
New Kid by Jerry Craft
Resources:
https://thebrownbookshelf.com/
https://teachingbooks.net/HomeAccess

7. When we are in our physical spaces, libraries are
able to display books about different
communities, create signage, have read-alouds,
etc, have personal contact with our community-
what are some suggestions for representing,
engaging, or advocating for diverse groups
online?
SOCIAL MEDIA!!!
Capture students attention
Draw them into engaging in activities
Encourage reading
Encourage extensions beyond the story