Application Window Now Closed!
Applicants to Receive Response Mid-August.
Application Window Now Closed!
Applicants to Receive Response Mid-August.
The Diverse BookFinder is seeking applications for 2023-2024 participants in a Community of Practice to identify and code books for children and youth featuring BIPOC characters.
The Diverse BookFinder is an online, searchable database and associated physical collection designed to facilitate the discoverability and exploration of multicultural picture books. Our goal is to diversify and balance bookshelves everywhere, so that all children can find themselves reflected and celebrated in libraries, schools, and homes across the nation.
With a recent National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to fund a project titled Middle Grade and Young Adult Books with Black, Indigenous People, and People of Color: Where are They?, the Diverse BookFinder will build upon its existing infrastructure to integrate early readers, chapter books, middle grade books, young adult books, graphic novels, and comics into the collection.
We specifically seek candidates with a critical understanding of race, culture, and power, and a strong interest in the application of this knowledge to analyses of BIPOC representation in children’s books. Candidates who can enhance the diversity of our team are strongly encouraged to apply.
Community of Practice Applicant Requirements:
Demonstrate the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Demonstrate a professional, positive, and cooperative working relationship with colleagues.
Exhibit effective communication and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrate initiative and flexibility.
Community of Practice Member Duties:
Commit to participating for 15 months: September 2023 to December 2024.
Including an intensive 9-week training course starting in September 2023.
Read, code, and discuss the content of assigned books, using systems and processes established by the Diverse BookFinder.
After training is complete, each member can expect to devote approximately 3-5 hours per week to reading and coding Diverse BookFinder materials.
Each member can anticipate reading approximately 35 books (of varying lengths and reading levels) throughout their time with the Diverse BookFinder.
Participate in monthly discussions via Zoom to share and discuss findings.
What Are the Benefits of Joining the Community of Practice?
Community of Practice Members will:
Contribute to furthering the discoverability of BIPOC literature.
Develop a skill set for coding or adding nuance to EDI work that explores not just who is represented, but how they are represented.
Expand on their cultural competence and increase their knowledge of diverse books for young readers.
Create and participate in a multiracial community of individuals passionate about changing the landscape of children’s literature and creating equity for all.
Develop a Professional network of like-minded librarians and literature experts invested in equitable collections, diverse programming, etc.
Receive a Diverse BookFinder Metadata Community of Practice Certificate and recognition on the Diverse BookFinder website and social media platforms.
Have more questions? Please do not hesitate to reach out to our Project Manager; Lisely Laboy at llaboy@diversebookfinder.org.