Making Libraries Queer Inclusive Spaces

Making Libraries Queer Inclusive Spaces
 
Join Aoraki SLANZA and Softlink Education for a panel discussion on how we can all make our libraries spaces that serve our queer students well.
 
With four queer librarians from both school and public libraries, and moderated by a queer high school teacher, you'll gain a wealth of knowledge from many accumulated years of lived experience designing libraries that meet the needs of queer youth. 
 
This is a free event, open to non-members. Attend in-person in Christchurch, or via livestream from across the motu. Supported by Softlink Education, the in-person event at Tūranga in Christchurch will be followed by refreshments and a book chat about excellent rainbow reads to have in your collection, so bring along any favourites you have to share. 
 
RSVP for the Christchurch event here. 
 
Or, sign up to watch the livestream here. 
 
Meet the Panel:
 
Ky has worked in public libraries for over a decade, specialising in Children and Young Adult services, and has a background working with young people in various education and community settings. Ky is also a member of the LIANZA Aoraki committee.
 
Emma is the librarian at Christ's College and a former public librarian, as well as the Aoraki representative on the SLANZA national executive. She also happens to be queer and gender nonconforming and runs the Christ's College QSA alongside moderator Chris.
 
Amélie is our newest member of the profession and the Library Assistant at Hillmorton High School. In addition to her professional knowledge, she has valuable insight into what it is like to have recently been a high school student navigating queerness and advocacy in the Catholic school system.
 
Saskia is a Library Manager, formerly at Cashmere High School, who has worked in public, special, corporate, and tertiary education libraries. She is on both the Aoraki SLANZA and LIANZA committees and has been a lifelong LQBTQIA+ advocate. She sits comfortably with and without a public queer label - she suspects that the permanent and dazzling array of rainbow themed lanyards, earrings, t-shirts and lapel pins might, however, give people a bit of a hint.
 
Chris (moderator) is the HOD of English at Christ’s College. Being a gay man is core to Chris’ personal identity, and it has informed his many years of experience supporting queer students in high schools. Having worked in media, Chris is keen to help our panel dig into what designing truly inclusive library services looks like.