Thursday, October 8, 2020
Project READY is a free online curriculum for library staff covering topics of race, equity, and access. The Library Team is excited to offer public library youth services and school library staff in Wisconsin the opportunity to participate in Project READY virtual learning cohorts. For full details, view the information session (8 min) and online application form.
What is Project READY?
Project READY stands for Project Reimagining Equity and Access for Diverse Youth.
In 2019, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science (UNC SILS) developed Project READY from extensive collaboration and investigation to help library staff serving youth create more inclusive and equitable programming.
Why Project READY?
Last year, the Connecting Wisconsin Libraries group conducted a survey of Wisconsin school librarians and public library youth services staff. It was not a surprise to see that everyone really cares about the kids they have in common, or that both groups know strong relationships between schools and public libraries makes things better for kids and families. This is one of the reasons we are devoting time to creating Project READY learning cohorts.
No one can deny that 2020 has been challenging. It has also been illuminating. Societal issues stemming from racism seem more visible and more visceral than ever before. Project READY is current, relevant, and necessary to our roles serving Wisconsin youth through libraries.
To quote State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor: “As leaders, we must ensure our young people have knowledge of and appreciation for their rich and authentic history. I am convinced, with guidance and support, our youth will lead us into a new future and a better version of humanity.” Project READY supports this vision.
Why Project READY Learning Cohorts?
Project READY is free, online, and self-paced. There are 3 sections and 27 modules. It is estimated to take a full year to go through all of the content. That’s a lot to take in by yourself, which is why we support doing it together in cohorts. Right now, we are asking for people to commit to working through just the first section, which is thirteen modules, over the course of five months--January through May 2021. Learning cohorts are specifically for school and public library staff serving youth.
Beginning January 2021, each week will have an assigned module to review on your own. Every two weeks, small cohorts will meet at their regularly scheduled times. The application form is short and easy to complete--we need contact information and your preferences on days and times to meet.
- Get your supervisor’s approval before applying
- Application deadline is Saturday, October 31, 2020
- Applicants will be notified by December 1, 2020
- Coursework and meetings will begin in January 2021
- Coursework and meetings will conclude in May 2021
Are you READY? Please join us for this deep and important professional learning opportunity, with colleagues from the public school and public library community. We want to commit to a better future for Wisconsin youth by learning together.
Contact Monica Treptow (school library consultant) or Tessa Michaelson Schmidt (public library consultant) with questions.