As an expansion of Multnomah County Library’s evaluation of Spanish early readers, our team audited the Spanish language picture books at the Gresham branch, examining language and cultural representation through text, illustration, country of publication, and author/illustrator nationality. Our goals were to determine the collection’s cultural responsiveness for MCL’s patrons and to develop an assessment tool for MCL and other libraries. Findings indicate a need for more Mexican and Central American representation in the collection, and our assessment tool should be used as an iterative, dynamic document to be tailored for each library rather than a final, static product.

The Seattle Girls’ School (SGS) is an all-girls middle school in the Central District. To support SGS’ ongoing commitment to inclusivity and cultural competency, this project designed library systems that cultivate values of diversity, advocacy, and empowerment. We designed and facilitated four participatory design sessions with students to rework the nonfiction library’s collection development and classification practices. In collaboration with Student Librarians and the SGS staff, we implemented two physical check-out zones to increase engagement with and community responsibility for library materials. As the SGS library grows, this project creates opportunities for student leadership and innovation in community sustained librarianship.

This project addresses the scarcity of resources in trauma-informed librarianship (TIL) by drawing on literature in trauma-informed care and pedagogy to create a book structured to equip librarians with foundational knowledge and practical implementation strategies. Divided into two sections, the book begins with the fundamentals of trauma- informed practices, then moves to TIL. Introducing six principles of TIL, each chapter offers theory and practical insights. By fostering understanding and offering actionable guidance, this project seeks to revolutionize library services, ensuring they are equitable and accessible for all, acknowledging the impact of trauma on individuals' engagement with information and community resources.

I worked with teacher librarian, TuesD Chambers, at Ballard High School to create a podcast for students and staff to share their experiences. The project would use Adobe Podcast Beta to record and edit. I created a survey that was shared on the library website to promote the opportunity and gain insight into participation level. However, there wasn’t any interaction with the survey, but in the classroom, over 90 students used the software and created their own podcasts.

Skagit Valley College (SVC) has been collecting historic materials for decades but never had the chance or the resources to organize and house them. This project seeks to lay the groundwork for an archive, offering access to materials for the upcoming centennial anniversary in 2026 and beyond. The project outcomes, including processes, recommendations, and documentation, are designed to pave the way for SVC to carry forward with standardized practices for the project. These outcomes will set the foundation for a lasting resource that will provide insights into the college's past and guidance for future endeavors in education and community engagement.

The widespread social isolation and disconnection of our society is a pressing information issue because it results in radicalization, proneness to misinformation, and an erosion of connection to others. My objective was to study the foundational nature of story, explore its relationship to social development, empathy, and resilience, and give practical programming recommendations for creating a communal storytelling practice. I found that story is a form of resistance to oppressive systems, is a connective experience, and gives people a chance to see shared humanity. This project speaks on how we can leverage it to bring resilience to all communities.

At the UW Children’s Center at Portage Bay, the goal of the project was to enhance professional development for early childhood educators by focusing on social-emotional and anti-bias curricula. By curating a specialized library, educators gain access to resources that delve into these critical areas, offering insights, strategies, and practical tools to implement inclusive teaching practices. Additionally, auditing and restructuring the existing book collection will ensure alignment with these priorities, fostering a more comprehensive resource hub. Through the implementation of a cataloging system, educators can utilize the curated materials, empowering them to create nurturing and equitable environments for young children.

This project is focused on the creation and implementation of a cataloging system for the Burke Museum’s Heritage, Arts, and Cultures research library. This system will be customized to this department’s collection and will be crafted using the based of the Brian Deer Classification System as an instructional framework.

A perennial issue of stewarding archival collections is getting the word out about our processing and preservation concerns prior to donation. Within the last fifteen years, there has been a substantial amount of scholarship concerning donation strategies at institutional archives. It has largely focused on diversifying the contents of the archive through non-extractive methods. Donor education is integral, as there is pervasive misunderstandings concerning repository capacity. While practitioners understand that their collections are not equitable or not representative of the community, capacity limitations restrict their ability to implement structure formalized outreach programs, which are necessary to remedy these generational issues.