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In this episode*, we have the absolute honor of conversing with Donna Barba Higuera, Middle Grade and Picture Book Author, Newbery Medal and Pura Belpré Award Winner and New York Times Best Seller. Donna shares from where and whom she draws her stories, and how she went from an imaginative child to inspiring readers of all ages.

In a time where book challenges are on the rise, Donna discusses the importance and power of sharing stories, owning the stories you hear and having access to stories representing all kinds of readers.

*A follow-up conversation was had between Donna, Ericka and Pia live on stage at the Association of Library Services to Children (ALSC) National Institute on September 21, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. The theme of the Institute was Standing up for Stories, and the hosts were able to dig deeper into the stories shared in this conversation and Donna, in turn, asked questions of the hosts about the power of sharing voices and experiences on the podcast. Unfortunately, there were sound quality issues with that recording and in the end it was not able to be saved. Pia and Ericka share a small reflection on both conversations at the end of this episode.

Date of interview: August 27, 2024
Date of post interview reflection: October 16, 2024
Host(s): Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Pia Alliende

Additional Info. & Links:
Donna's website-https://www.dbhiguera.com/
2024 ALSC National Institute-https://www.ala.org/alsc/confsce/institute

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In this episode we are joined in conversation by Shannon LaRance (Dine'/Hopi/Assiniboine). Founder of Indigenous Empowerment, Indigenous Empowerment's mission is to ensure culturally sensitive counselors and social service agents are accessible to those in need. Their goal is to train human service organizations across the nation on the complexities, nuances, and beauty of Indigenous people. Social Worker, Counselor, So’oh Story Time.

So'oh, meaning "Grandmother" in Hopi, embodies the essence of our storytelling traditions. It reflects the nurturing and educational atmosphere created on her Youtube channel - “So’oh Story Time”. LaRance reads books for our children and grandchildren - with an emphasis on books written or illustrated by Native American/Indigenous authors and illustrators.

Date of interview: September 6, 2024
Host(s): LaRee Dominguez & Joan Vigil

Additional Info. & Links:
https://linktr.ee/SoohStoryTime
So'oh Story Time - YouTube

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In this episode we are joined in conversation by scholar, academic consultant, librarian and educational game designer, Fobzi Ettarh, who notably coined the concept of "vocational awe" in 2018. Ettarh shares how vocational awe operates at both the micro and macro levels, contributing to problematic hiring, onboarding, and retention practices in the library profession, and illustrates how this concept directly ties to workplace inequities and burnout.

Additionally, Ettarh provides actionable ways to escape the trap of vocational awe by prioritizing mental health and rest, achieving work-life balance, reframing how we are showing up for community, and urging administrators to lead by example.

Date of interview: July 17, 2024
Host(s): Ericka Brunson-Rochette & Rodrigo Gaspar-Barajas


Additional Info. & Links:

Vocational Awe- “the set of ideas, values, and assumptions librarians have about themselves and the profession that result in beliefs that libraries as institutions are inherently good and sacred, and therefore beyond critique.” (Ettarh, 2018)

• "Vocational Awe and Librarianship: The Lies We Tell Ourselves" (January 2018 article from, In the Library With the Lead Pipe)
• Ettarh's Webpage/Blog
• Follow Ettarh on Twitter @Fobettarh
• Latanya Jenkins' story
• ALA Memorial Resolution Honoring Latanya N. Jenkins

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Anne Heidemann & Melissa Isaac from the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan join us to share about Maawn Doobiigeng, a new classification system for the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Library.

In 2019, The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries were awarded the IMLS National Leadership Grant to facilitate the creation of a new classification system by members of the community. As of April 2024, this new system, titled Maawn Doobiigeng (Gather Together), has been created and is being implemented into the libraries.

Heidemann and Isaac share about the process, from idea to implementation, and explain why this new system was imperative for accurately describing and providing access to Native Topics.

Date of interview: June 12, 2024
Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Gene Iparraguirre

Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries--Maawn Doobiigeng
Maawn Doobiigeng Press Release

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*There were slight technical issues during the recording of this episode. We apologize for any minor disruptions*

We are excited to welcome Jamillah R. Gabriel, the Critical Pedagogy Research Librarian at Harvard University and co-host of the podcast LibVoices, for a second time. Jamillah provides listeners with a beginner-friendly overview of Critical Pedagogy, how it can be applied to library and information science, and used to promote EDIA within libraries and educational settings.

Jamillah explores why EDIA racism trainings fail (or perhaps more accurately, why EDIA trainings are designed to fail), and how decolonizing bibliographic research can aid in centering marginalized voices and perspectives when it comes to knowledge production and citation.

For additional readings on the topics discussed, try:

• The Criticalness of LIS Incorporating Critical Theory, Pedagogy, and Action in LIS Research, Teaching, and Practice by Jamillah R. Gabriel
• Critical Librarianship & Pedagogy: Interview with Jamillah Gabriel by Jamia Williams
• Archiving Blackness: Reimagining and Recreating the Archive(s) as Literary and Information Wake Work by Jamillah R. Gabriel

Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Roxanne M. Renteria
Date of Interview: May 10, 2024

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In this episode, Immer Honorato, Library Outreach Specialist at the Tualatin Public Library, talks with us about connecting his library with his community in Tualatin, Oregon.

As an immigrant of Mexico who grew up in Tualatin, Immer brings an important bilingual and bicultural perspective to bridging the gap between library services and a library’s community. He reminds us that there are steps that all of us can take to improve accessibility, a sense of belonging, and relevancy in our libraries.

Winter 2024 OLAQ - "Bibliotequitas para Tualatin (Bibliotequitas for Tualatin)" Pg. 29-31

Hosts: Joan Vigil & Kristen Curé
Date of Interview: April 9, 2024

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Multitalented Aaron Whitefield joins the hosts and shares insight gained from leading successful multicultural academic programs during the decade he spent working as an educator, library professional and youth development specialist in Columbus, Ohio.

Aaron’s passion for uplifting youth and creating community is apparent, even while navigating systemic issues like sexism, classism, and racism. Those interested in better understanding the “unique experiences, challenges, and triumphs of living as a Black introvert in an ever-changing America” should checkout his podcast, The Semi-Social Life of a Black Introvert.

Website: MU.FA.LI. - Home (iammufali.com)

Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Roxanne M. Renteria

Date of Interview: February 23, 2024

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In this episode, Dr. Raymond (Ray) Pun (academic and research librarian at the Alder Graduate School of Education) shares insights on effective library advocacy through collaboration and community building, advice for aspiring librarians of color, and the value of involvement in the American Library Association and committee work.

We hear about Ray's career transition from public to academic libraries, delve into the intersection of social justice and intellectual freedom (Ray introduces us to ALA's Book Resumes for banned books!), and touch on AI in education.

Don't miss Ray's vision for ALA as a 2025-2026 presidential candidate.

The 2024 ALA Election Period runs from March 11, 2024 through April 3, 2024.
Only current ALA members may participate in the 2024 ALA Election.
Click here to join or renew ALA today!

Hosts: LaRee Dominguez & Brittany Young
Date of Interview: February 20, 2024