Transgender Inclusion in Libraries
Channel: SJSU School of Information
Date: 2019-04-11

Podcast Link:

Abstract:
Are you interested in increasing your understanding of transgender issues, changing your use of gendered language, and thinking about how to implement policies of inclusion? This webcast will share a basic understanding of the rich variety of gender identities and experiences, best practices for working with transgender patrons and communities, and tips on where to begin thinking about the impact of library policies on queer and transgender people. Participants will be introduced to trans-inclusive language and basic concepts of gender and sexuality, improved services for transgender patrons, and the opportunity to move beyond basic respect and inclusion to affirmation and representation. This session is appropriate for individuals interested in all types of librarianship and will give practical tips, tools and takeaways to improve interactions and services for transgender patrons and co-workers.

Biography: Reed Garber-Pearson
Reed Garber-Pearson is the Integrated Social Sciences & Online Learning Librarian at the University of Washington where they have worked since 2016. Garber-Pearson is currently serving as the President-Elect for the Washington State Chapter of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL). They organized the Social Justice and Libraries Open Conference in 2016, the UW Libraries’ Practicing Critical Librarianship Unconference in 2017, and have presented at local and national conferences on critical digital pedagogy and transgender inclusion. Garber-Pearson is interested in expanding what community looks like and talking about identity in online spaces. When not working in libraries, Garber-Pearson is making puppet shows and constructing dioramas. Find Garber-Pearson on Twitter as @alwaysreeding.

Biography: Micah Kehrein
Micah Kehrein is a current MLIS student at the SJSU iSchool and a Library Associate II for the Seattle Public Library. They grew up in a small town where the public library was central to the community and have been passionate about libraries ever since. Kehrein believes that public libraries must explicitly center equity and social justice in order to truly provide access for all. Once they have completed the MLIS program, Kehrein hopes to go back to their roots and practice radical, welcoming librarianship in rural America. In their free time, Kehrein soaks up as much sun as Seattle allows, organizes with Showing Up for Racial Justice, and spends time with the people (and dogs) they care about.

Biography: Sunny Kim
Sunny Kim is deeply honored to live and work in Seattle as a teen librarian. They love building strong relationships with young people, geeking out over science fiction and comic books, and serving the community. They also recently served on the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association Young Adult Literature Awards Committee during the first year APALA was included in the ALA Youth Media Awards. They have presented at the Washington Library Association conference, ALA Midwinter, and the Joint Conference of Librarians of Color on transgender inclusion and cultural humility. Before becoming a librarian, Kim spent a decade working in community for social justice.

Biography: Bean Yogi
Bean Yogi is an Indigenous (Uchinanchu) public library worker, and an SJSU MLIS student (as of fall 2019), based on Duwamish land. Their work in libraries centers the intersectional lives of queer and trans Black, Indigenous, and Brown people, through a transformative justice lens. The best book they’ve read so far in 2019 is Revolting Prostitutes: The Fight for Sex Workers’ Rights by Juno Mac and Molly Smith. For resilience, Yogi practices somatic healing, bookbinding, and medicine-making. For paid labor, Yogi is a Library Associate II for the Seattle Public Library and an Adult Nonfiction & Children’s Picture Book reviewer for Kirkus.