Reflecting Your Community

This book demonstrates how libraries are a trusted and safe place for all members of the community to learn about themselves and others through collections that provide both a mirror and a window to discovery.

In Reflecting Your Community: Using Diversity Audits to Improve Your Library’s Collection, Ann Ford, a library expert with more than 18 years of experience, addresses the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in library collections. The readers learn a hands-on approach to building and maintaining a culture of inclusion through a robust and diverse collection development process. The author explores techniques that guide the reader through thoughtful collection development, beginning with the library mission to provide equitable access to information and resources while cultivating a culture of inclusion.

This book provides key insights and observations gathered from the author’s extensive work in libraries and with public librarians. Hard topics that are often avoided around DEI initiatives such as managing collections amidst book banning and restrictive legislation, vendor accountability, and personal bias in collections are addressed.

Readers will learn how to meet their patrons where they are, build lasting and meaningful collections to reflect their diverse communities, and maintain a culture of inclusion. Throughout the book, the author highlights libraries that have successfully curated and maintained this culture and provides sample data, resources and tips for the reader to follow. This is an easy-to-follow guide for public libraries of any size to ensure they exceed their communities’ expectations.