BIPOC in LIS Resource Center

The following resources are developed by Spectrum but open to all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the LIS field. For Scholar-specific resources, including additional closed groups for Scholars-only, refer to Scholar Resources.

Community Guidelines

The Spectrum Scholarship Program is dedicated to providing an inclusive, welcoming, and harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, national origin, and/or religion. Please refer to our Community Guidelines for more information.

Community Connections

The following are organizations and/or digital community spaces focused on BIPOC in LIS:

• Spaces
  • American Indian Library Association (AILA)
  • Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA)
  • Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA)
  • Chinese American Librarians Association (CALA)
  • REFORMA: The National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking
  • we here
  • WOC+lib
• Accounts to Follow
  • @weherespace
  • @wocandlib
  • Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/alaspectrum/
  • Follow us on Twitter @ala_spectrum | #alaspectrum and check out information on joining our periodic Twitter Chats
  • Follow us on Instagram @ala_spectrum
  • Spectrum maintains an open to all Facebook Social Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/409456795771279/ 
  • Join the open to all LinkedIn group

Professional Development

As part of ALA's commitment to creating a scholarship program that supports Scholars throughout their careers, we partner with library organizations to offer ongoing professional development that provides additional opportunities for leadership in the profession.

• Ongoing list of additional funding opportunities for BIPOC in LIS
• Ongoing list of EDI and social justice-focused trainings and conferences
• Mentoring opportunities through ALA and affiliated organizations
• Access to recordings of webinars through Spectrum and its home unit, ALA's Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services
• Access to recordings of webinars hosted in partnership with other organizations
  • "Recruitment, Retention, and Experiences of Art Library Professionals" hosted by Spectrum and the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA) Professional Development - Education Subcommittee

Additional Resources

• Coalition for Library Workers of Color, a group committed to eliciting change and growth in support of people of color within the library community.
• Green Book for Libraries is a crowd-sourced resource for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in library and information science fields to review LIS workplaces and programs.
• Review this Scholar-compiled list of self-care resources spanning a variety of platforms and focus areas.
• Reference this compilation of ALA and Affiliate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion-focused statements
• Reference our Libraries Respond pages for resources for library professionals on a variety of current events social justice issues