Justice at Work in Public Libraries
A framework for public libraries making a commitment to justice and equity.
Go beyond DEI.
Get the whole library ready to work for justice.
Move from surface talk about diversity and inclusion to real, honest conversations about justice and action plans that advance equity.
Watch the video to learn more >>>
Watch the video to learn more >>>
Stop juggling schedules and looking for the perfect trainer.
With this unique course, you and your library can...
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Take the course on your own schedule, at your own pace.
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Learn frameworks that get to the heart of social justice.
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Adopt a shared language you can use to talk openly and honestly with one another.
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Create plans of action to shift culture and develop practices that advance justice in your library.
What People Are Saying
about Justice at Work
I highly recommend this training!
Specifically tailored to library staff, Justice at Work is a powerful foundation-builder for any organization that is committed to EDI and social justice. A wealth of resources are included in each chapter, along with exercises and discussions for groups to continue the conversation and apply concepts to their work. Mia Henry and her team are excellent facilitators, thoughtfully incorporating location-specific history and statistics into lesson plans to further tailor the experience. The material is relevant, necessary, and skillfully shared.
One of the highest-rated staff development day speakers we’ve ever had.
Our library staff had an extremely high level of engagement with the online Justice at Work training, and Mia’s warmth, wisdom, thoughtfulness, and poignant message made her one of the highest-rated staff development day speakers we’ve ever had.
Perfect for our needs
The training was perfect for our needs. Staff could take the training at their own pace and the additional readings and resources were fantastic and relevant to the work. Mia's knowledge, open and engaging style came through and made it a truly enjoyable experience.
I want to share this learning with everyone.
I am so impressed with your approach to these subjects. I want to share this learning with everyone, so I have been recommending it to anyone who will listen.
This class was invaluable in my anti-racism journey.
Mia's delivery is powerful using stories, history, personal references, guest speakers and other strategies to illustrate challenging topics in ways that are accessible. We took this course as a leadership team and followed it with team discussions and that made our learning even more valuable as we directly applied the concepts to our place of work, our roles as leaders and created shared meaning and vocabulary. I highly recommend this training.
Captures how the history of oppression and libraries are inextricably linked.
It's been a struggle to find good equity focused training that is specific to libraries, so I'm always nervous that a training I'm considering won't be pertinent to library work. Justice at Work expertly captures how the history of oppression in the US and libraries are inextricably linked. I'm confident that anyone working in libraries will walk away having learned something from the course that they can go back and use in their daily work life.
Mia is a great presenter.
I liked the mix of videos + additional resources for reading/exploration. Mia is a great presenter and brings warmth, energy, and challenge to her speaking.
This course opened my eyes further as to what I need to do to continue anti-racism work.
[I enjoyed the course's] framework and succinct nature of the content. [It was] informative, honest, patient and [had] digestible chunks of historical reference and status quo anecdotes and experiences. This course opened my eyes further as to what I need to do to continue anti-racism work for myself and my extended community.
A Few of Our Clients
Meet Your Instructor!
Instructor | Facilitator
Mia Henry
Mia Henry (she|her) is a nationally-recognized trainer, facilitator, and leadership coach. She is the CEO of Freedom Lifted, a company that provides trainings for organizations grounded in justice and equity. Previously, Mia was a founding director of the Chicago Freedom School and the executive director of the Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership. She has degrees from Rutgers University and the University of Pennsylvania, as well as knowledge passed down from beloved family members and ancestors, extensive travel, and collaborative relationships with communities across the US.
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Thank You to Our Partners
The Public Library Association (PLA)
This course is based on the Equity Starts With Us regional trainings Mia facilitated in-person with the Public Library Association. The content is informed by input from PLA leaders.
Course Overview
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1
Welcome to Justice at Work!
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Welcome from the Instructor
FREE PREVIEW -
How to Use This Course
FREE PREVIEW -
Guiding Beliefs and Course Objectives
FREE PREVIEW -
Land Acknowledgement
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Before we begin...
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2
Chapter 1: Connecting Identity + Power
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Introduction
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TEMPLATE: Create Your Power Flower
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REFLECTION: On Identity
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Social Identity
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DISCUSSION: What is Power?
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Social Power
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RESOURCE: What Is Intersectionality?
FREE PREVIEW -
QUICK QUIZ: Identity + Power
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3
Chapter 2: Understanding Oppression Part 1
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Five Faces of Oppression: Why Diversity Is Not Enough
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WORKBOOK: Justice at Work Library Analysis Workbook
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Preparing Yourself for Difficult Content
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Exploitation
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READING: Vocational Awe and Librarianship: The Lies We Tell Ourselves
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Marginalization
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Powerlessness
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On Paulo Freire: Extended Interview and Resources
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QUICK QUIZ: Understanding Oppression Part 1
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4
Chapter 3: Understanding Oppression Part 2
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Understanding Oppression, Part 2
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Remember to Breathe
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Cultural Dominance
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RESOURCE: What is White Supremacy?
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Harm and Violence
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REFLECTION: How do we respond to oppression?
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RESOURCE: A Word on Microaggressions
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WORKSHEET: The Five Faces in Your Library Community
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WORKSHEET: The Five Faces Impact
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5
Chapter 4: Working for Justice, Part 1: Resistance
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DISCUSSION: What is the difference between resistance and solidarity?
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Six Ways We Resist
FREE PREVIEW -
Escape
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Revolt
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Petition and Protest
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Achievement and Success
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Community Building
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Defiance
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QUICK QUIZ: Resistance in Review
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WORKSHEET: Resistance in Your Community
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6
Chapter 5: Working for Justice, Part 2: Solidarity
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What Does Solidarity Look Like?
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WORKSHEET: Solidarity Actions in Your Community
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Solidarity Actions You Can Take
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WORKSHEET: Personal Solidarity Commitments
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WORKSHEET: Collective Solidarity Commitments
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BONUS: Idea Exchange for Public Libraries
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7
What's Next?
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Congrats and Thank You!
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RESOURCE LIST: Justice and Equity in Public Libraries
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WORKSHEET: Reflection
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FULL WORKBOOK: Justice at Work Library Analysis Workbook
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What's Next?
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Before you go...
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Free Bonus Course!
Public Libraries Idea Exchange
Any participant in Justice at Work in Public Libraries gets free access to our Idea Exchange. This bonus course features discussion forums about best practices in advancing justice and scenarios for applying a racial equity lens in public libraries.
Freedom Lifted is pleased to announce that we have partnered with the American LibraryAssociation toUnite Against Book Bans, a national grassroots campaign to engage the public in the fight against censorship. This non-partisan campaign leverages the reach of national organizations representing librarians; educators; parents; authors; publishers, distributors; champions for civil liberties, civil rights, and equality; and more.
When we unite, we are stronger.
Course Fee
Sign up today to take this course at your own pace, on your own time. Contact us for group rates.
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Get started now
$255.00
Regular price