[Libs-Or] Welcoming Oregon Libraries September 2025

Thu Aug 28 13:33:40 PDT 2025

Good afternoon!
Since we are close to entering a long weekend, I am going to send out my monthly email of meetups, trainings, events, and resources a little early. As usual, this information can also be found as an attached pdf to this email. Enjoy 😊 – Ericka

Happy September, Oregon Library Community!

It is hard to believe that fall is almost upon us. While so much has happened over the last month, a lot has remained unchanged. Many of my conversations with library staff in Oregon about engaging community continue to loop back to safety: how to create safe spaces, services and work cultures, and how to protect this mission at times when many things feel out of our control.

While there are various considerations for what safety in library service can look like, I want to highlight two recent resources specifically for immigration support in library spaces:

  *   The Oregon Reference Summit<https://sites.google.com/olaweb.org/oregon-reference-summit/home> held a webinar session in early August called Welcoming Communities: Immigration Resources and Legal Advocacy in Oregon Libraries<https://sites.google.com/olaweb.org/oregon-reference-summit/home/recordings-of-past-presentations?authuser=0#h.w8686lflb22p>. You can also find a resource toolkit shared during this webinar at this same link.

  *   The Library Freedom Project<https://libraryfreedom.org/> (LFP) Higher Education Committee released a resource list for academic library workers entitled ICE Response Protocols for Higher Education Workers<https://libraryfreedom.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Anti-ICE-Resources-Academic-Library-Workers.pdf>. LFP says they are working on a similar resource list for public libraries, which they hope to share soon.

These resources and more can be found on my Community Engagement for Libraries: Immigration Resources<https://slo.oregon.gov/c.php?g=1451030&p=10785135> LibGuide, which I will continue to update as resources emerge.

Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns or community engagement topics you could use support with. As always, thank you for all you continue to do to create welcoming libraries in Oregon!

Warm Regards,
[Text, letter  AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

Ericka Brunson-Rochette (she/her/hers)
Community Engagement Consultant
State Library of Oregon
ericka.brunson-rochette at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:ericka.brunson-rochette at slo.oregon.gov> | 971-375-5126
www.oregon.gov/library/libraries<http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries>
[Logo for the Library Support & Development Services division at the State Library of Oregon]<http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries>
Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday
Community Engagement LibGuide<https://slo.oregon.gov/CommunityEngagement>

VIRTUAL MEETUPS

All virtual meetup groups are for individuals employed, volunteering, or looking for work in Oregon libraries. Managers and supervisors are permitted to join. Confidentiality of attendees, conversations and information shared in these meetups is required.

AFFINITY MEETUPS:

Disability & Neurodivergence Affinity Meetup (First Tuesday of every month)
For people who identify as neurodivergent, have a disability, or hold intersecting identities falling into both these groups---to include those with diagnosed, self-diagnosed, or suspected conditions.
Tuesday, September 2, noon-1p | Meeting details and link<https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/DisabilityNeurodivergenceAffinityMeetup>

2SLGBTQIA+ Virtual Affinity Meetup (Third Tuesday of every month)
For Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and/or not listed as it pertains to sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression.
Tuesday, September 16, noon-1pm | Meeting details and link<https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/_2SLGBTQIAAffinityMeetup>

BIPOC Virtual Affinity Meetup (Fourth Tuesday of every month)
For Black, Indigenous, and other people of color.
Tuesday, September 23, noon-1p | Meeting details and link<https://www.cognitoforms.com/StateLibraryOfOregon/BIPOCAffinityMeetup>

GENERAL MEETUP:

DEI Virtual Meetup for Oregon Libraries (Second Wednesday of every month)
For anyone engaged in diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging work in Oregon libraries.
Wednesday, September 10, 3:30-4:30p | Meetup Link<https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81502980247?pwd=fpyomcb21US548fuDgTaavCoo6dlIt.1>

You can join us via computer (with or without video) or via phone:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81502980247?pwd=fpyomcb21US548fuDgTaavCoo6dlIt.1

One tap mobile
+16694449171,,81502980247# US
+16699006833,,81502980247# US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 815 0298 0247
Passcode: 598104

FUNDING/ GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Grant information provided by The Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL)<https://www.arsl.org/>

Foundation for Rural Service Community Grant Program<https://www.frs.org/programs/grant-program/community-grant>
Grants designed to provide support to a variety of local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural America.
Applications due September 5

Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize for Public Libraries<https://www.libraryjournal.com/page/jerry-kline-community-impact-prize-submission-guidelines>
The Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize, developed in partnership between Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation and Library Journal, was created in 2019 to recognize the public library as a vital community asset. When libraries, civic entities, organizations, and the people they serve become close partners, their communities thrive.
Applications due September 15

Believe in Reading Grants<https://believeinreading.org/grant-guidelines/>
For provably successful literacy programs that have been established for 2+ years. Programs that serve any age or aspect of supporting reading and literacy will be considered, including adult literacy, English as a second language projects, or Braille related projects for the blind or visually impaired.
Applications reviewed as they are received

The Pilcrow Foundation’s Children’s Book Project Program Grants<https://thepilcrowfoundation.org/childrens-book-project-program-grants/>
The Pilcrow Foundation, a national non-profit public charity, provides a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that receive a grant through its Children’s Book Project and contribute $200-$400 through a local sponsor for the purchase of up to $1,200 worth (at retail value) of new, quality, hardcover children’s books.
Annual application deadlines for grant cycles are April 1 & October 1 (postmark date)

Nasdaq Foundation Financial Literacy Grants<https://www.nasdaq.com/2025grantguidelines>
Grants will be given in this area to organizations and programs that deliver impact in one or more of the following ways:

  *   Enhancing financial literacy among under-resourced communities, with an element of teaching participants how to invest
  *   Improving access to knowledge and tools for investing and wealth creation among under-resourced communities
Applications due October 24, 2025

T-Mobile Hometown Grants<http://t-mobile.com/brand/hometown-grants>
T-Mobile is committing up to $25 million through 2026 to support small towns, villages, and territories across America by funding community projects to jumpstart projects and build stronger communities. FAQ’s<https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/hometown-grants#FAQs>
Applications open Fall: July–September; Winter: October–December

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Free Virtual
Find additional trainings: State Library of Oregon’s Continuing Education Calendar<https://libguides.osl.state.or.us/conted/free#s-lib-ctab-24120710-1>

  *   Latinx Kidlit Book Festival<https://latinxkidlitbookfestival.org/2025-festival> (created by members of Las Musas Books<https://www.lasmusasbooks.com/>)
Streams via the festival’s YouTube channel<https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmywyoJl05eI-mmE5syafnw?view_as=subscriber>| Various dates in September

  *   Right To Be<https://righttobe.org/>- September training offerings (For full calendar, check here<https://righttobe.org/upcoming-free-trainings/>):

  *   Bystander Intervention to Stop Anti-Asian/American & Xenophobic Harassment<https://righttobe.org/events/bystander-intervention-to-stop-anti-asian-american-and-xenophobic-harassment-26/> | Tuesday, September 2, 10-11a| Register here<https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6QCawbxWSNyo-MB1okg9nQ#/registration>
  *   Emotional Intelligence for Culture Change: Awareness, Accountability & Impact<https://righttobe.org/events/emotional-intelligence-for-culture-change-awareness-accountability-and-impact/> | Tuesday, September 2, 1-2p| Register here<https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-cyxx4BWTnyAroIv-ZM60g#/registration>
  *   Bystander Intervention to Support the Immigrant Community<https://righttobe.org/events/bystander-intervention-to-support-the-immigrant-community-7/> | Thursday, September 4, 11a-noon| Register here<https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-Np28uAiQfSqRNN02iz5_A#/registration>
  *   Targeted Violence Prevention: A Community Centered Approach<https://righttobe.org/events/targeted-violence-prevention-a-community-centered-approach/> | Tuesday, September 9, 10-11a | Register here<https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XAORIBGWRROnHm9_F7MyMg#/registration>
  *   Bystander Intervention: Support the Latine Community in Public Spaces<https://righttobe.org/events/bystander-intervention-to-support-the-latine-community-in-public-spaces/> | Thursday, September 25, noon-1p | Register here<https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_snBDvWwaQsG9ACigJiv73g#/registration>

  *   A Pura Belpré Picture Book Celebration!<https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/3217504392683/WN_MD--TD-BTZe2c9gxsEf4JA#/registration> (Booklist<https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist>)
Author-Illustrator panel webinar | Monday, September 15 |12:30-1:30p

  *   Lead with Empathy: Connecting Equity and Emotional Safety in the Workplace<https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/webinars> (Non-Profit Learning Lab<https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/webinars>; facilitated by Adrienne Wise | Wise Choice Counseling)
Webinar| Monday, September 29, 9:00a | Register here<https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/webinarregister>

  *   Meaningful Library Gatherings: Bringing Purpose to Every meeting & Event<https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/meaningful-library-gatherings.html> (WebJunction<https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction.html>)
Webinar | Tuesday, September 30, noon-1p | Register here<https://oclcwebinars.webex.com/webappng/sites/oclcwebinars/meeting/register/5d26b1dcac1f4f078ef5b63d8509c1f1?ticket=4832534b00000007d5fbfb24ed6b99fc564054540b9d2e6dc46f3e45f34e91100ce85b1a5f10ebb6&timestamp=1756149488171&RGID=rb859fbc86a2fddd49e576b3975314224&isAutoPopRegisterForm=false>

On-Demand

  *   Building Community Connections by Hiring for Cultural Knowledge<https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/hiring-for-cultural-knowledge.html> (WebJunction<https://www.webjunction.org/home.html>)| On-Demand Webinar | Recorded January 2025

  *   Advocacy in a Polarized World<https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/advocacyinpolarizedworld> (EveryLibrary Institute<https://www.everylibraryinstitute.org/webinars_on_demand>)| On-Demand Webinar

Fee-based Virtual*(see information below about scholarship opportunities)

  *   Creating Dementia Friendly Services for the Public Library<https://libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/307-creating-dementia-friendly-services-for-the-public-library/> | (Library Juice Academy<https://libraryjuiceacademy.com/>)| 4-week asynchronous courses | Sept. 1-28 | Cost: *$250

  *   Beyond Basic Spanish for Library Staff<https://infopeople.org/civicrm/event/info?id=1152> (Infopeople<https://infopeople.org/>)
4-week course w/two online sessions| Oct. 7- Nov. 3 | Cost: *$200

  *   De-escalation Strategies in the Library: Creating Safe & Positive Interactions<file://wpsloappl02/NetworkShare/LD/Community%20Engagement%20Consultant/Welcoming%20Oregon%20Libraries%20Emails/Monthly%20DEI%20Emails/September%202025/De-escalation%20Strategies%20in%20the%20Library:%20Creating%20Safe%20and%20Positive%20Interactions>
(Infopeople<https://infopeople.org/>) 4-week course w/two online sessions| Oct. 14-Nov. 10 | Cost: *$200

In-Person Learning *(see information below about scholarship opportunities)
[cid:image004.png at 01DC1820.5AA030A0]
OREGON:

REFORMA, OR: Mock Pura Belpre<https://www.reformaoregonchapter.org/meetings-events/oregon-mock-pura-belpr>
October 18 | Happy Valley Library| 11a-4p | Free

Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL) Pre-Conference<https://sites.google.com/oasl.olaweb.org/oasl-2025/registration-hotels>: OASL Legendary School Library Bus Tour
October 3 | Eugene | Cost: *$50

Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL) Fall Conference<https://sites.google.com/oasl.olaweb.org/oasl-2025/registration-hotels>
October 4 | Eugene | Various Pricing, *$140-200
Early Bird Registration ends September 12

Oregon Humanities- Beyond 250: Reflective Conversation<https://oregonhumanities.org/programs/services/trainings-for-libraries/>
October 22-23 | Corvallis-Benton Public Library | Free<https://www.tfaforms.com/5170020>

NATIONAL:

REFORMA National Conference VIII<https://www.reformaconference.org/>
September 18-21 | Long Beach, CA | *Various Pricing

Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) 2025 Conference <https://www.arsl.org/2025-conference>
September 17-20 | Albuquerque | *Various Pricing
Radically Rural Summit<https://radicallyrural.org/theme-plenary-sessions/>
October 7-9 | Keene, NH | *Various Pricing<https://whova.com/portal/registration/3rw6EDJMiYB-ewxsRdTV/>

AASL (American Association of School Librarians) National Conference<https://aasl.secure-platform.com/2025>
October 16-18 | St. Louis, MO | *Various Pricing

Washington Association for Bilingual Education- Dual Language Institute<https://wabewa.org/fall-institute/>
October 24-25 | Tacoma, WA | *Various Pricing, $225-325+

* OLA EDI & Antiracism Committee’s Professional Development Scholarships
Scholarships to support EDI & Antiracism professional development for library staff, volunteers, and library-job seekers in Oregon.  For more information and link to application, visit here<https://ola.memberclicks.net/ola-edi-antiracism-scholarships>

INDEPENDENT EXPLORATION

[Storytelling with solid fill]

Read:

(Blog Post) Carli Spina and Rebecca Albrecht Oling, authors of The Digital Accessibility Handbook for Libraries<https://americanlibraryassociation.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMjA1ODkyMSZwPTEmdT0xMTIwMTI0MTAwJmxpPTExNzA4NDY3OQ/index.html>, discuss their book in an interview on the Think Clearly Blog<https://americanlibraryassociation.informz.net/z/cjUucD9taT0xMjA1ODkyMSZwPTEmdT0xMTIwMTI0MTAwJmxpPTExNzA4NDY4MQ/index.html> (July 15, 2025).

(Article) AI Misreads Black Women’s Hairstyles – And It Could Cost Them Jobs<https://www.linkedin.com/comm/pulse/ai-misreads-black-womens-hairstylesand-could-cost-asare-ph-d--cxqpe?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Aemail_email_series_follow_newsletter_01%3BiTUBIstITEmz%2BB0J28UETw%3D%3D&midToken=AQHBXaAwGwj0XQ&midSig=0C-OA42bPesXU1&trk=eml-email_series_follow_newsletter_01-newsletter_content_preview-0-read_more_banner_cta_&trkEmail=eml-email_series_follow_newsletter_01-newsletter_content_preview-0-read_more_banner_cta_-null-2cw6zv~meh4imt4~5q-null-null&eid=2cw6zv-meh4imt4-5q&otpToken=MTMwMTFjZTUxYTI3YzFjNGI3MjQwNGVkNDMxYmUyYjY4ZGNmZDY0MjliYTg4NzYxNzljNTA3NmQ0ZjVhNWZmM2Y1ZDJkZmE3NDNjZGMxZDM3MjgwY2U4M2RkZWMzNTdjYWRmMjdlZDEwOTE4ZTkzNzFkMTI1ZCwxLDE%3D> (Dr. Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D.; LinkedIn, August 18, 2025)

[Television with solid fill]
Watch:

(Short docu-film) The Elaine Massacre of 1919: A Small Town Grapples with a Painful Past<https://youtu.be/j_w1B4nMPeU?si=NsjLz3oBkhn_FXJ7> (7 mins; PBS, America Outdoors). More about the Elaine Massacre can be found in the “reflect” section below.

(Short segment) Defining Latino: Young People Talk Identity, Belonging<https://youtu.be/QePAmImu2wA?si=kNQXa0QXDRIecu0x> (<4min; Sept 2018 NBC Latino, NBC News, YouTube)

[Headphones with solid fill]
Listen:

(Podcast) The Art of Being Seen | Alberto Ferreras, Award-Winning Director, Author & Multimedia Artist<https://hispanicheritage.org/fritanga/> (56min, June 2025; S4: E3 Fritanga podcast<https://hispanicheritage.org/fritanga/> by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation<https://hispanicheritage.org/> (HHF) )You can also watch<https://youtu.be/2gKEVZ-CN9E?si=H2CoTAQogptbN0z8> on the HHF YouTube Channel.

(Video Podcast) Information Gone Wild w/ Dr. Nicole A. Cooke<https://youtu.be/fGME6VWmJBM?si=vnHoNqAuqzp2a_Lx> on her book published last spring, The Legacy of Black Women in Librarianship: When They Dared to Be Powerful<https://ccrls.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/oslpublic/search/detailnonmodal/ent:$002f$002fSD_ILS$002f0$002fSD_ILS:1977348/one?qu=TITLE%3D%22The+legacy+of+Black+women+in+librarianship+%3A+when+they+dared+to+be+powerful%22&qu=AUTHOR%3DCooke%2C+Nicole+A.%2C>. (54min; Information Gone Wild podcast<https://ischool.sjsu.edu/information-gone-wild-podcast> from the San José State University iSchool)

[Head with gears with solid fill]
Reflect:

  *   Hispanic Heritage Month<https://latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/hispanic-heritage-month-resources/hispanic-heritage-month#:~:text=When%20is%20Hispanic%20Heritage%20Month,September%2015%20to%20October%2015.>, which ranges from September 15 through October 15, is a month-long celebration honoring the history, culture, and many contributions of Hispanic and Latino people. Take time to learn more about the incredible impact that Hispanic and Latino people have had in the U.S. but keep learning, listening, and celebrating year-round.

  *   September 15 is World Afro Day<https://www.worldafroday.com/>. This year is the ninth anniversary of this global celebration of Afro hair that aims to educate about the historical, present day, and cultural significance of this hairstyle.

  *   The International Day of Peace<https://internationaldayofpeace.org/> is observed around the world on September 21. Established by the UN in 1981, this globally shared date intends for “all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace”.

  *   September 30  marks 106 years since the horrific Elaine Massacre of 1919<https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/death-hundreds-elaine-massacre-led-supreme-court-take-major-step-toward-equal-justice-african-americans-180969863/>, where hundreds of Black sharecroppers were murdered in Elaine, Arkansas for organizing against unfair low wages and exploitive tenant farming practices. This violent racial confrontation has been called by some “possibly the bloodiest racial conflict in the history of the U.S”, and happened only a couple years prior to the Tulsa Race Massacre<https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=TU013>.

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