Hi everyone,
This message has two audiences: 1) Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC) in library residencies and 2) people who are interested in providing assistance during this time.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we hosted a virtual town hall for BIPOC residents to talk about some issues we are facing while in term-limited positions. One of the things that arose from these conversations is that we needed to create a mechanism for mutual aid for BIPOC residents at this time.
As organizers, we don’t have the resources or capacity to meet the immediate needs of all, but we can create a community to connect those with an immediate need with those who may be able to help. We believe in centering the humanity of individuals, so we will respect the requester’s privacy and only share names and information at the level indicated.
Examples of immediate needs might be:
Job Related:
- Job-related coaching in a specific subject specialty and/or by someone with a specific identity/ies
- Group editing of cover letters and CVs
- Sharing local job posting that don’t make national lists
- Assistance with reviewing benefits packages
- Assistance reviewing tenure and promotion and other related documentation.
Resource-based:
- Donations and/or boosts of GoFundMe campaigns, Venmo, or Cash App
- Space to store things while moving to or from a specific location
- Finding housing
Form to request help: https://bit.ly/BIPOC_COVID19_Survey
Volunteer form: https://bit.ly/BIPOC_COVID19_Volunteer
Spreadsheet of volunteers: https://bit.ly/BIPOC_COVID19_Volunteer_Responses
Please reach out if you have questions or concerns.
In solidarity,
Twanna Hodge
RIG Convener
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Librarian
University of Florida
tkhodge20@gmail.com
Former Resident Librarian
Deborah Yun Caldwell
Diversity Resident Librarian
UNC Greensboro
deborah.caldwell@uncg.edu
Jessica Dai
Resident Librarian
RIG New Members and Mentorship Team Lead
West Virginia University
jessica.dai@mail.wvu.edu
Denisse Solis
Residency Librarian
University of Denver
Denisse.Solis@du.edu
Tarida Anantachai
Lead Librarian, Learning Commons
Syracuse University
tanantac@syr.edu
Former Resident Librarian
Kenya Flash
Librarian, Pol. Sci., Global Affairs & Gov. Info.
Yale University
kenya.flash@yale.edu
Former Resident Librarian
Nikhat Ghouse
Associate Librarian for the Social Sciences &
Coordinator, Diversity Alliance Residency Program
ghouse@american.edu
Former Resident Librarian