The LGBTQ and Critical Librarianship Special Interest Groups will lead an interactive panel session on the professional identities of those new to the art information field. This session will consist of panelists working in different areas within the industry. Panelists will discuss how experience, identity, and circumstance influences and challenges their professional growth, followed by breakout sessions and group discussions to develop delicious takeaways to apply at their home institutions and in their practice.
Delia TashPresentation Topic: "To Disclose or Not to Disclose: Living with a Disability." The fear of discrimination is daunting but is hiding part of what makes you, you, realistic, open-minded, helpful? This panelist will offer first-hand experience of working while managing her bi-polar disorder. She has heard discriminatory things said about people in the workplace and this has led her to be more selective in who she has shared information with. The quandary arises: if by not being more open with people is she contributing or giving in to the stigma?
Discussion Topic:
On work applications where they ask if you have a disability (Yes, No, or Choose not to disclose), do you have a strong reaction to the experience? What do you think of the requirement?
Diane Dias De FazioPresentation Topic:
Diane self-identifies as Latina and, when at Brooklyn College, she represented the most diverse of all New York City public universities. Now at the New York Public Library, her researcher audience is likewise diverse. Diane can speak to her experience in special collections, outreach, and interpersonal relationships with coworkers, in terms of her current projects.
Discussion Topic: Lead small group discussion, where session attendees talk and share about their personal experiences on a subject (i.e., ageism, ethnicity stereotypes, peer isolation).
Skills & Strategies Developed: Expose folks to and how to handle ageism, ethnic stereotypes, and peer isolation.
Marianne R. WilliamsPresentation Topic:
"How to Make Friends." For the recent grad or early career art information professional, pursuing opportunities often means moving to new locations to pursue short-term projects, away from family, friends, and partners. Even without moving, starting a new position in an institution can be daunting, particularly for those of us with identities that intersect with race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality, (dis)ability, class, religion, immigration status, mental health and well-being.
Discussion Topic:
What are some active strategies that attendees are using in their own institutions and professional practices to promote a community of practice and create an inclusive network within the profession?
Skills & Strategies Developed: Participants will leave with a better understanding on how to build and promote an inclusive environment both at their institutions and within their profession.
Learning Objectives
- Developing community in ARLIS and beyond for resource sharing and professional support.
- Creating a framework model for topics covering issues related to identity, experience, and circumstance.
- Addressing institutional barriers faced by early career professionals in the art information field.
