Incorporating Race-Centered & Trauma-Informed Practices in Reference Services
Presentation | Tuesday, May 18, 2021 | 11am – 12:30pm EST
College students are witnessing and participating in a worldwide social justice movement that has transcended from the margins to the center of society. As supporters of the student body, academic librarians are called to respond appropriately to their student body in a changing world. We as librarians can ensure that we do not allow stereotypes and biases to dictate how we interact with students and library visitors during the reference interview. This begins with a critical look at reference service and outlining alternative practices that will allow librarians to provide a fully engaging and transformative learning experience. Libraries are not race-neutral spaces; from an equity standpoint, treating all students the same does not assist those who start out at a deficit. Librarians should strive to try to eliminate the barriers to success faced by students from historically underserved and disempowered groups. One way to do this is by employing an approach to the reference interview that is both race-centered and trauma-informed.
This presentation will discuss inherent biases in the reference interview as it is commonly taught and practiced. Speakers will uncover how the reference interview contributes to white mainstream authority and advantage; how its adherence to neutrality causes harm to students from marginalized communities. As solutions, speakers will discuss the principles of trauma-informed approach and provide ways to apply this in everyday reference interactions with our students. It will also cover techniques to provide an inclusive and collaborative reference practice.
Presenters: Nicole Williams & Emma Antobam-Ntekudzi
Nicole Williams is the Open Resources Librarian at CUNY Bronx Community College. She received her MLIS from Rutgers University and master’s of liberal studies from the CUNY Graduate Center. At the heart of her professional philosophy is a commitment to providing equitable service to all.
Emma Antobam-Ntekudzi is a Reference & Instruction Librarian at CUNY Bronx Community College. She received an MLS from CUNY Queens College and is currently pursuing a master’s in Urban Affairs.