iStudent Blog: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
iSchool Presents EDI Online Symposium February 23
National Black History Month
Published: February 5, 2023 by Eori Tokunaga
Come and join the SJSU iSchool as we honor Black History Month while also celebrating the achievements of our Black community members in the Library and Information Science field.
Indigenous Community Leaders in Libraries Today
Native American Heritage Month Symposium
Published: February 5, 2023 by Eori Tokunaga
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the San José State University iSchool hosted a free online symposium on November 29th, 2022, titled “Honoring the Historical and Current Lives of Indigenous People.” The symposium featured keynote speaker Donna Cossette, Registrar for the Churchill County Museum and Archives; keynote speaker Lynette Dial, Library Director for Hoke County Public Library; Kim Sellers, Associate Professor at UNC Pembroke; and Melissa Stoner, Native American Studies Librarian at University of California, Berkeley.
Seeking Immortality Alongside the Northern Cheyenne Native Community
Published: December 6, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
In 2016, 567 tribal entities were federally recognized and, as of 2020, estimates suggest that there are roughly 6 million people in the United States, or 2% of the nation’s population, who identify as Native American and/or Native Alaskan. Yet, Native American Heritage Month was only officially recognized by the United States in 1990, less than 40 years ago. (Sources: International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs; US Census Bureau)
iSchool Presents EDI Online Symposium November 29
Please join the SJSU iSchool as we honor and celebrate the achievements of our indigenous community members during Native American Heritage Month.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
iSchool Presents EDI Online Symposium October 11
Published: September 19, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
Please join the SJSU iSchool in celebrating and recognizing the achievements of our Hispanic and Latino/a/x communities as we honor National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Resources to Combat Anti-Asian Violence
Published: August 10, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
It is imperative that we at the San José State University iSchool cultivate a justice-oriented and community-minded culture for our SJSU Spartans. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the lives of our communities, it is important to address the increasing hostilities that have occurred as a result of the pandemic.
Symposium Recap: Celebrating Juneteenth
Published: July 26, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
The San José State University iSchool presented a free online symposium on June 20, 2022, in honor and celebration of Juneteenth Day. The audience was welcomed by iSchool Director Anthony Chow, who introduced guest speaker and professional storyteller, Binnie Tate Wilkin.
“EDI is really everyone’s responsibility. Getting to know our diverse cultures [and] lived experiences is a core part of what it means to be an American.” – Dr. Anthony Chow
Fundraising Initiative for Ukrainian Libraries
Published: July 20, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
In mid-June of 2022, the SJSU iSchool hosted the symposium “Ukrainian Libraries during the Ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War.”
LGBTQIA+ Resources in the Library
An inclusive library enhances our world
Published: July 7, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
In honor of Pride Month, the SJSU iSchool hosted an EDI Symposium on June 30, 2022, titled “How LGBTQIA+ Librarians Shape Libraries Today.” SJSU iSchool Director Anthony Chow opened the symposium with a personal anecdote about discrimination he has faced in his own life, followed by introductions for the keynote speaker, Dr. Shannon Oltmann.
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month
iSchool Presents EDI Online Symposium June 30
Published: June 23, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
Please join the SJSU School of Information in honoring our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual (LGBTQIA+) community as we celebrate Pride month.
Symposium Recap: Ukrainian Libraries in the Ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War
Published: June 22, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
The San Jose State University iSchool presented a symposium on June 15, 2022, regarding the conditions and services of Ukrainian Libraries during the Russian-Ukrainian war. The audience was welcomed by iSchool Director Anthony Chow and Assistant Professor Ulia Gosart, with Ukrainian and English translations provided by Oleksii Deikun.
Ukraine and the Role of Libraries: A Q&A with Dr. Ulia Gosart
Published: June 21, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
As part of our efforts to uplift community voices, Dr. Ulia Gosart shares her personal and professional experiences as it relates to the Russian-Ukrainian War. Dr. Gosart is an assistant professor with the San José State University School of Information. She received her Ph.D. in Information Studies from the University of California Los Angeles, her M.S. in Library and Information Science from Connecticut State University, and her B.A. in Librarianship from Kiev National University of Culture and Arts in Ukraine.
Honoring Juneteenth Day
iSchool Presents Online EDI Symposium June 20
Published: June 16, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
The San José State University iSchool is committed to actively honoring and amplifying stories from diverse communities as part of our goal to be a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and accessible community. As SJSU Spartans, it is imperative that we cultivate a justice-oriented and community-minded culture for students, faculty and staff.
Ukraine and Libraries
iSchool Presents Online EDI Symposium June 15
Published: June 13, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
The San José State University iSchool continually seeks to share stories from our diverse communities and honor their legacies through our ongoing calendar events.
Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
iSchool Presents EDI Symposium May 10
Published: May 3, 2022 by Guadalupe Martinez
In 1990, the United States designated the month of May as Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to commemorate their rich history and cultural legacy. Asian identity includes people with heritage from East Asian, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. The umbrella term Pacific Islander includes peoples of Oceania and Native Hawaiians. AAPI identity is globally and culturally diverse. LIS professionals continue to play a significant role in addressing a range of information needs and advocacy work.
d/Deaf Culture and Community in LIS: A Q&A with Dr. Mary Bolin
Published: April 20, 2022 by Guadalupe Martinez
In recognition of Deaf History Month, Dr. Mary Bolin shares her insights as a dedicated advocate for d/Deaf patrons and library professionals. Throughout the interview, you will note the shifting capitalization of ‘D’ in Deaf or lowercase ‘d’ in deaf. The choice to toggle between letter case, and the way in which one identifies along the spectrum of hearing loss, is deeply personal and varies from individual to individual. To embrace this spectrum of identity, the following text will express the community and culture as d/Deaf where applicable.
Deaf Culture, Education and Advocacy
National Deaf History Month
Published: April 14, 2022 by Guadalupe Martinez
Deaf Culture and Community
Recognized from March 13 through April 15, National Deaf History Month was initiated in 1997. The following timeline of landmark events have shaped Deaf culture, education and advocacy in throughout history and the growing connections to library and information science.
Women in Information
Women leaders discuss experiences and expectations
Published: March 31, 2022 by Eori Tokunaga
SJSU iSchool Director Anthony Chow and Dr. Tonia San Nicolas-Rocca hosted an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) symposium for Women’s History Month on March 22, 2022. Shirley Lew, the dean for the School of Arts and Science at Vancouver Community College and editor of “Feminist Among Us: Resistance and Advocacy in Library Leadership,” began the symposium with a presentation on Women in Information.
Celebrating Women’s History Month
Published: March 28, 2022 by Guadalupe Martinez
Women’s History Month creates space to uplift the extraordinary legacies and lived realities of women around the world. We acknowledge their historic struggles and honor the endless contributions to librarianship, information professions, and beyond. This year, the iSchool held a free EDI symposium, “Women in Information,” to commemorate this month with forward-thinking, visionary dialogue. In case you missed it, check the on-demand webcasts for the recording.
Celebrating Black History Month
Published: February 22, 2022 by Guadalupe Martinez
At San José State University, our ongoing and upcoming calendar events and resources aim to uplift and honor the legacies of our diverse communities. Join us in celebrating Black History Month, highlighting the historic contributions and movements within the Black Diaspora.